Audio engineer Mary Mazurek, who earned her MFA from Columbia College Chicago in 2011 and is president of the college’s National Alumni Board, spoke with students in February about the importance of mentorship in building a career. Mazurek, who has been nominated for a GRAMMY Award, returned to her alma mater to share insights from her own educational and professional journey.
Mazurek said that supporting the next generation of audio engineers is important to her. “I like helping support the next generation of audio engineers,” she said. “And my success certainly didn’t happen in a vacuum; I needed mentors myself.”
In addition to leading the National Alumni Board at Columbia, Mazurek works as an Assistant Professor in Digital Audio Arts at the University of Lethbridge in Canada, is a freelance audio engineer specializing in classical music recordings during summers in Chicago, and recently published a book titled “Aesthetic Noise: The Philosophy of Intentional Listening.” She explained that her advanced education and varied career choices were motivated by a desire for flexibility. “I wanted options,” she said. “I wanted to make sure I had opportunities and could pivot if I needed to.”
During her discussion with students, moderated by Tom Joyce from the Career Center, Mazurek offered practical advice based on years of experience. She emphasized preparation as key for successful recording sessions: “I don’t skip on the pre-production planning,” she said. She also highlighted communication and problem-solving skills as essential whether working in studios or on location.
Mazurek acknowledged that networking can be challenging for some people, including herself. “I am very much an introvert,” she said. “If you drop me in a room with strangers and say, ‘go make small talk,’ I’m going to be the first one looking for the door.” Despite this discomfort, she encouraged students to approach networking with purpose and persistence.
Throughout her talk, Mazurek stressed how finding mentors is crucial for sustaining a career. “You need to be good at your craft, yes, but you also need to find mentors and network,” she said. As president of the National Alumni Board and an active board member for years, Mazurek supports Columbia’s mentorship initiatives such as ColumAlum Connect. She advised students not to hesitate when seeking guidance: “Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance,” she said. “There will be someone.”
The event underscored ongoing efforts at Columbia College Chicago to connect students with alumni mentors through programs like ColumAlum Connect.
