Young Entertainment Professionals
Class of 2026 Application
The Hollywood Professional Association’s YEP program seeks passionate and driven applicants at the start of their media and entertainment journey open to mentorship and to developing lasting relationships with industry leaders and professionals. Through active participation in the HPA, YEPs gain access to exclusive in-person and virtual events, a library of resources, as well as a community of peers and other professionals to help set the course of their careers. A limited number of candidates will be selected for the program beginning in January 2026.
For over a decade, YEPs from diverse technical and creative backgrounds have had frequent opportunities to take center stage. YEPs have been seated on panels at the HPA Tech Retreat, produced podcasts and webinar series, and gone on to serve as industry leaders. We strive to open a space for each YEP in the HPA to a lifetime of professional community, networking, and friendship.
The deadline for applying is November 2, 2025. Finalist candidates will be contacted mid-November to set-up a brief virtual interview. You will be notified in mid-December if you have been selected as a YEP.
The program will include two distinct sections:
- Section 1 will run for 6 months (January through June) beginning with the YEP orientation. Attendance at the virtual YEP Orientation Program is mandatory and will be followed by opportunities to attend a variety of in-person and virtual events throughout 2025. The first opportunity to attend an in-person event will be the celebrated HPA Tech Retreat February 15 – 19, 2026 (more details to come). In addition, YEPs will receive a 1-Year HPA Associate Membership and a complimentary ticket to most HPA events.
- Section 2 of the YEP program will begin in June. Based on each individual’s participation and overall commitment to the program, the YEP class will be evaluated by the Mentorship committee for custom pairing with an Industry leader from late June to December, in addition to receiving free access to YEP and other HPA Community events.
During the Young Entertainment Professionals program, each YEP will receive access to the following:
- YEP Virtual Orientation Program – January 2026
- One-year complimentary HPA Associate Membership
- YEP Roundtable Mentor Event
- HPA Tech Retreat Conference Pass – February 15 – 19, 2026 (more details to follow)
- Periodic in-person or virtual YEP events (to include coffee meet-ups, vendor tours, virtual office hours, online mentor Q&A sessions)
- Free admission throughout the year to HPA Networking Education Technology (NET), Women in Post (WIP), and YEP in-person and virtual events
For full participation in the program, YEPs are expected to participate in the following HPA programming:
- The 2-part virtual YEP Orientation Program (January 2026)
- At least 3 other in-person or virtual events during the year:
- Minimum one day at the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat (more details to follow, admission included)
- Any YEP Virtual Event (Virtual Office Hours, Meet-up, Mentor Q&A etc.)
- Any YEP in-person or virtual events
- Any NET Roundtable or WIP events
What to expect after your year with YEP:
- Discounted YEP pricing for HPA Associate Membership
- Sustained professional relationship with mentors and YEP classmates
- Opportunity to stay involved with HPA by sitting on committees and working on future HPA programming
- Discounted YEP alumni pricing for the HPA Tech Retreat
HPA YEP Class of 2026 Application Directions:
GENERAL CRITERIA for consideration for the HPA YEP Program and Mentor Pairing
- Currently working in the media & entertainment industry in a creative, technical or project management/administrative role
Before you begin the application form, please have the following documents or details ready:
- Your resume for upload
- Answers to the following application questions – 250 word limit for each question.
- Please describe your career goals. How would participating in the YEP program align with your career goals?
- One of the pillars of the HPA is community. Please tell us about a time that you felt that you made an impact on a community you are a part of.
- Please share with us your proudest professional or creative accomplishment and why this was your proudest moment.
- Mentorship is a core aspect of the HPA YEP program. What are you looking for from a mentor?
- Your reference contact information and letter of reference to upload – 500 words or less on why the YEP applicant should be considered for the YEP mentoring program and on the key accomplishments of the YEP applicant at your company or on your professional media project(s).
Once ready, please complete the online form and follow directions to upload documents.
If you are having technical difficulties, please contact the HPA staff.
Application Deadline: November 2, 2025