Many lives are changed by a few words, often from total strangers.
For me and others they can be as simple as “Try across the street.”
More than 50 years ago, as a young man seeking a job to continue in college, a receptionist said these words to me.
As a teenager walking up and down Sixth Avenue in New York City, I entered the Time-Life building and approached the receptionist.
An older woman, she listened politely to my plight and said the corporation was not taking applications.
Seeing my disappointment, she pointed to the RCA building and told me to try there.
I immediately followed her advice.
In those days, buildings were open and guards more friendly.
The on-duty personnel pointed me to an elevator to the NBC employment office on the third floor.
There, the friendly secretary smiled and told me to fill out an employment form.
After reviewing my form, she contacted someone who told her to have me wait.
Thirty minutes later, I was ushered into the office of John Van Tassel.
(Yes, I still remember his name 50 years later.)
After a brief interview, he told me to wait a bit longer.
Within a half hour, I was sent to the Fifth floor where I met one of the legends of NBC News, Buck Prince.
(Still remember his name as well.)
Sitting in his spacious office, he looked at my employment form and smiled.
“I see you went to Georgia Tech.”
“Yes.”
“I see you studied architecture.”
“Yes.”
“My son went to Georgia Tech and he studied architecture. Why did you leave?”
“Learned architecture was not for me and my mother is sick, so need a college closer to home.”
“We have a copy boy job here, do you want it?”
“Yes.”
And that is how I started in a life-long career as a journalist. It has taken me to all seven continents and reporting on many great events.
All of this because I listened to a few words from a total stranger.
People do want to help other people.
It is up to us to hear them.
A Few Words That Change Lives,
If We Listen
by Don Mazzella