Randi Fisch

University of Miami alumna Randi Fisch works behind the scenes at The Late Show with David Letterman.

As part of her daily duties, Fisch prepares daily ratings reports, books and organizes travel itineraries, coordinates a busy calendar of calls and meetings, and answers the heavily trafficked phone lines, which includes calls from high profile talent.

“It does feel a little bit like a dream, but when I look back at UM, it makes sense because of the professors I got to meet and the experiences I was a part of,” Fisch said.

After graduating from the University of Miami in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in electronic media and psychology, Fisch went to work as the executive assistant to Rob Burnett, the executive producer/president and CEO of Worldwide Pants, Inc., the company that produces The Late Show.

Fisch, who is originally from New York, said she began thinking of a television career shortly after she arrived in Miami.

“When I came to visit the School of Communication and saw the control room and studios, I realized it was my dream,” Fisch said.

She became involved in UMTV’s late night comedy show, Off the Wire, where she eventually served as executive producer. She saw the show thrive and receive a Telly Award, as well as three awards for best comedy program from the National Broadcasting Society.

Fisch’s dreams started to become a reality when she was chosen as a member of the first “New York Experience” group, through which School of Communications students participate in summer internships in New York City. Out of more than 600 applicants, Fisch was chosen as one of 11 interns for The Late Show with David Letterman.

As an intern for The Late Show, some of her duties included manning the phone lines during a live show, distributing notes backstage, and showing talk show guests to their dressing rooms.

“I had to be good at multitasking and working under pressure,” Fisch recalled. 

The internship led right to her current job, where she has also had the chance to work on the development of Burnett’s debut movie, We Made this Movie, made in collaboration with his co-writer and producer, Jon Beckerman. Fisch managed the production assistants and organized the crew while also handling the movie’s website, marketing and premiere.

Professor Ellen Fleysher, who organizes the New York Experience, recalled Fisch’s success as a member of the very first intern “class.”

“She wowed everyone with her smarts, her focus, her ability to get the job done right the first time and by her always-sunny disposition,” Fleysher said. “They hired her. Why am I not surprised?”