Following high school, Geist enrolled at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, where he majored in political science. During his time at Vanderbilt, he served as editor of the student newspaper, honing his skills in journalism and media—skills that would define his professional future.

Broadcasting Career Beginnings

Geist began his career at CNN Sports Illustrated as a producer and editor. He later moved to CNN Sports, where he worked as both a reporter and field producer. During his time at CNN, he covered major sporting events including The Masters, the NCAA Final Four, and the Super Bowl.

In 2004, he wrote and produced content for a commentary show on Fox Sports Net, hosted by Max Kellerman. This broadened his experience in both sports journalism and television production.

Work with MSNBC and NBC

In 2005, Geist joined MSNBC as a senior producer for the show The Situation with Tucker Carlson, where he worked until 2008. Starting in 2006, he also contributed to a new program, Way Too Early with Willie Geist, which aired in the early morning and gained a dedicated viewership. His engaging and insightful presence made the show a significant success and it was later described as a “must-watch cable news show of the 2010s.”

In 2007, Geist began filling in as co-host for the MSNBC morning show Morning Joe. By September 2007, he became a permanent co-host, a position he continues to hold. In 2009, he launched his own 30-minute show, Way Too Early, which aired weekdays at 5:30 a.m. and ran until 2012.

He began appearing on NBC's Today show in 2010, filling in as newsreader and host. Geist officially joined Today full-time in November 2012. Shortly thereafter, he stepped down from his early morning show to focus on his new role. He was also part of NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympic Games in 2014.