Meet the 2024 Fellows
In support of The HRTS Foundation’s mission to foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive TV and entertainment industry, we are proud to announce the 2024 Class of Fellows. Learn more about them below!
2024 FELLOW ANNOUNCEMENT
Applications for the 2024 Fellowship Program are Closed
The HRTS Foundation’s First Initiative Enters Its 2nd Year
The HRTS Fellowship Program is designed to help launch the careers of 10 JHRTS Members and 5 Academic Members who stand to make great contributions to HRTS and the industry.
THE HRTS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Hear from
some of our Fellows about
their experience with the HRTS Fellowship Program
Special thank you to Warner Bros. Television Group for Producing the video!
2024 HRTS Fellowship Benefits Include
• Dedicated Career Advisor
• Buddy Program w/ Previous Fellows
• In-person Gatherings, Including the Fellowship Summer Summit in Los Angeles
• Monthly Virtual Curriculum highlighting different aspects of the industry
• Complimentary one-year membership in HRTS Academic or Junior HRTS (JHRTS)
• Guaranteed spot in the upcoming year’s HRTS Mentorship program
• Tickets to HRTS events
• Opportunity to participate in the 2024 HRTS Foundation Gala
• Access to Fellowship-specific events and activities with Foundation sponsor and partner companies
• Subscriptions to industry trades
Testimonials
The program’s environment, which celebrated diverse voices, was empowering. Additionally, I gained the skills and connections that will shape my future in the industry. Overall, this fellowship was not just an educational experience but a personal growth opportunity. I am very grateful for HRTS and the relationships I’ve built with other fellows.
– Sophia Castro
USC, Academic
I’ve really enjoyed being part of this program as I have made so many connections with the other Fellows, but also with my Career Advisor and Mentor. I was able to bounce off any questions, doubts, concerns, etc with my Career Advisor and my Mentor especially as the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes unfolded. I’ve gotten a tremendous support from both of them and I couldn’t be more grateful.
– Noella Mpinga
Lake Ellyn Entertainment, JHRTS
This program has been very beneficial to me in my development as a creative in the industry. I’ve gotten the chance to connect with a very diverse class of Fellows who will no doubt go off to do amazing things in every sector of the industry. I’ve learned a lot too about different departments that I usually don’t get to interact with in my day to day.
– Cassandra Hsiao
Small Dog Picture Company, JHRTS
Applications Open for Career Advisors
We are still accepting applications for Career Advisors! Apply below!
APPLY
Career Advisor Duties
Career Advisors may be industry professionals operating in roles that qualify them for membership in HRTS Associates or HRTS Executive. Such roles include but are not limited to: credited Writer, Manager, Director, Producer, Showrunner, VP, SVP, EVP, C-Suite, Head/Co-Head, President/Co-President, Founder/Owner, Manager, Agent, Partner or Shareholder.
Within the first three months of meeting your Fellow, you will meet with your fellow and gain an understanding of where the Fellow is in their career, their goals and aspirations. As your Fellow’s Career Advisor, your job here is to remove barriers to access by taking an active role in the Fellow’s professional development and to take ownership in the task of setting the Fellow up for success in making progress toward a specific career goal or milestone. You are their ambassador to the industry.
Unlike a mentor, which typically takes on a more passive role in an individual’s development, your responsibility as a Career Advisor will be more hands-on and require a dedicated thoughtfulness for your Fellow’s career goals and aspirations.
As a Career Advisor you will be expected to:
• Have weekly (or otherwise frequent) touch-base calls with your Fellow to keep track of progress and development
• Attend monthly (or quarterly) Zooms with other Advisors and Fellows
• Set milestones for your Fellow to accomplish based on your conversations you have together
Additionally, there are a multitude of other ways that a Career Advisor can enrich their Fellow’s experience on breaking into the industry. Some ideas to mention:
• If you go to set, bring your Fellow with you! The same goes for mixers and other networking events.
• Set up 15 minute intro calls for them with industry players you believe can help them or would be good for them to know.
• Brief them on the different parts of the industry and types of jobs within them
Shadow day
Needless to say, this is not even close to an exhaustive list of ways you can add value to your Fellow’s career development. As a Career Advisor, you play a key role in providing access to an often difficult-to-break-into industry. We thank you for your time and dedication to such an important cause and for making the entertainment industry more accessible every day!
APPLYInaugural Sponsors
Thank you to the generous sponsors of The HRTS Foundation
Founding Sponsor
