Why YEP Changed My Career (And Why It Might Change Yours)

By Matt Klein

Hello to everyone reading this - whether you're a current YEP, HPA member, or just YEP-curious. I'm Matt Klein, one of the co-chairs of the YEP program, and I'm here to kick off our new blog. I want to give you a bit of background about myself and explain why I hold the YEP program so close to my heart.

I'm now in my fifth year involved with the program, and I can say confidently that nothing else has had a greater impact on my career than YEP.

I entered the post-production industry just about a decade ago and found my purpose in the creativity, hard work, and technical detail that went into the world of feature and television post. What I didn't love was the hours - I saw everyone around me, myself included, burn out at one point or another. So I started to write some basic Python scripts to make my job, and then other people's jobs, easier. Over time this became my calling, and I transitioned into full-time software development work.

While I was proud of the work I was doing, I felt there was a community aspect missing from my career that I yearned for. I sought out mentors wherever I was working (with mixed success), but my career took its biggest turn when someone recommended I apply for the HPA's Young Entertainment Professionals program.

I was excited when I got in but didn't really know what to expect. On day one of orientation, we had to give a 60-second elevator pitch about our personal brand. To sum up mine in a sentence: I write software that improves the lives of hard-working post-production professionals and allows them to flex their creative muscles while still going home at a reasonable hour.

I remember thinking that I really botched the execution - I tripped over my words and went over time. But two amazing things happened in that moment: All 30 or so people at the orientation warmly and enthusiastically listened to what I had to say and supported me when I was done. And I caught the attention of past HPA President Seth Hallen, who, as a direct result of my elevator pitch, offered me my dream job of growing a software team from the ground up at Light Iron.

Part of that was being in the right place at the right time, but I also believe it perfectly captures what the YEP program offers to everyone who participates - a chance to be part of a kind and encouraging community of like-minded industry professionals and the opportunity to network and grow your career in ways you may not have even considered.

And that was only the beginning.

Throughout my YEP year, I made countless close friends - both among my peers who were learning how to put themselves out there and foster new professional relationships, and among my mentors who have given me so much great advice, have cheered me on as I've grown in my career, and have been unafraid to have meaningful personal conversations. Over the course of the year, my network grew from dozens to hundreds, and I was exposed to many new facets of the industry, from virtual production to content security.

If you feel like you have room to grow in your career, if you are passionate about building a positive community, if you are curious, open-minded, and driven, then I encourage you to apply for the YEP program this year.

I hope it changes your life as much as it did mine.

The Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) program nurtures the development of talented individuals at the start of their media and entertainment journey with mentoring and education, introductions to industry leaders, invitations to events, and access to resources that will further their careers. To learn more about sponsoring this program, contact sponsorships@hpaonline.com.

LINK:	https://hpaonline.com/why-yep-changed-my-career-and-why-it-might-chang...
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