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Kelly Burns has worked with the CNN team since her internship there in 2017.

KELLYBURNS/COURTESY

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By Grace Cardinal, Editor-in-Chief

Kelly Burns, ‘17, graduated from Manhattan College with a communication degree with a concentration in broadcasting and a minor in digital media art. Now, seven years after graduation, Burns works as an associate producer for CNN International while maintaining her MC roots as a mentor in the Center for Career Development’s (CCD) Mentorship Program.

In her time at the college, Burns was involved on campus. She served as The Quadrangle’s production editor, a student worker in the office of Residence Life, the eucharistic minister for Sunday Mass and was a participant in intramural sports.

“I really enjoyed my time with The Quadrangle,” Burns said. “I thought it really set me up for working in news one day especially. I did a lot of on campus interviews with people from student activities and leadership and sports and I think that was really valuable experience even when I didn’t realize it at the time. Having those conversational skills has definitely come in handy.”

Burns’ days vary with what projects she gets to work on. While oftentimes she’s producing sit-down interviews for some of CNN International’s top talent or producing content in the field, she can also be found in the newsroom helping out where needed. Burns has had the opportunity to interview talent from famous chefs to popular athletes and everything in between. 

“I think my favorite part about my job is that I get to wear many hats,” Burns said. “I mentioned earlier I get to field produce for Christiane Amanpour when she’s at the United Nations doing the General Assembly coverage. Some days, I’m field producing an interview with Paris Hilton or Bobby Flay, or the Brooklyn Nets dance team for our New Year’s Eve show. Other days, I’m in the office, providing guest notes for our anchors…it’s a wide range of different talent and opportunities.”

Currently, Burns’ biggest project includes producing footage at former President Trump’s hush money trial in lower Manhattan. 

“It’s a long day,” Burns said about being in the field. “You plan to be out there for at least eight hours. We sort of have a different scope of it because we’re explaining this to an international audience that really aren’t following along minute by minute…It’s very interesting because you’re standing outside on the street, closed off in a press pen with multiple networks, some that speak English, some that don’t. Behind us are Trump fans but also protesters…It’s been an adjustment and a learning curve…It’s unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of in terms of field producing.”

As a student at MC, Burns was always a standout amongst faculty members. 

“Her work ethic was, what does it take to, across the board with virtually every faculty member you encounter, agree that you do superior work,” Thom Gencarelli, Ph.D., founder and professor of the communication department said. “You have to have a work ethic and be able to apply yourself to do that and to do it in a way where everyone agrees because we don’t look up what someone else or other people gave you when we assign grades. We’re looking at the work that you do, and she was doing it for everybody.” 

In addition to her professional career, Burns started her stint in the CCD mentorship program in the fall of 2022, where she was paired with class of 2025 mentee Molly Callahan. 

“Kelly is my mentor and it’s clear she’s very hardworking,” Callahan said. “She cares a lot about her job and works very hard at it. She’s just such a great example for me, as someone who’s interested in the media and news industry. She really did a great job of being so welcoming and taking me under her wing and showing me the ropes. She’s helped me prepare for interviews and helped me look for roles and anything I need, she’s there to listen and help with.”

Despite their official mentoring relationship concluding with the school’s program in the spring of 2023, Burns remains an individual that Callahan can lean on for anything she may need. 

“We still keep in touch, she still will email and check in on me,” Callahan said. “Whenever I have something going on, I’ll be sure to let her know. It’s this great relationship that I have now. Not only is it a great connection, but it’s that great mentor/mentee dynamic where I always have someone to turn to, to ask for advice. She’s almost like my professional big sister.”

Burns credits her time at Manhattan College with providing her the opportunity to make new connections and gain lifelong skills. 

“Manhattan [College] provided me a lot of opportunities to meet new people and gain new skills,” Burns said. “I think the size of the school really helps you make friends in effortless ways…I don’t think other schools are like that. The size of the school and classes just helps you make friends and also get to know your professors in organic and natural ways that give you more [of a] sense of confidence and contacts and networks for when you eventually are done with school and you have these everlasting relationships.”

While Burns is grateful for her time at CNN, in the future she hopes to move away from the world of breaking and international news and explore other sides of the industry. 

“In the future, I see myself shifting away from hard news and moving into entertainment,” Burns said. “Learning how to navigate breaking news and high-profile talent early in my career has set me up for my next chapter of media and television production.”

Editor’s Note* Mack Olmsted contributed to reporting.