• Contact
    • Sandbox

    Making space
    for new voices

    The creative industry is full of potential—but access to it isn’t always equitable. We saw a gap in opportunity for young talent from diverse backgrounds, and decided to help close it.

    What
    we do

    Our external mentorship program focuses on giving individuals from underrepresented communities more exposure to creative professions through mentorship and hands-on experience.

    Our
    mission

    Much like the safety and creative freedom that a sandbox provides, our mission is to mentor fearless creativity. Through mentorship and hands-on experience, we support young people while they explore their interests and build new skills. Our goal is to help them visualize a path for themselves in this industry.

    “We teach as much as we learn from our mentees”
    — Romy, senior copywriter

    The
    Breakdown

    Sandbox gives early‑career creatives the resources and nontraditional pathways they need to break into the industry.

    • Engage in ten weeks of virtual, 1-1 sessions with a dedicated Hook mentor
    • Define your own curriculum based on your specific goals and interests
    • Attend focused workshops on career guidance and navigating the industry
    • Build personal connections with Hook mentors and other Sandbox U participants
    • Refine your portfolio, cover letters and job applications with expert feedback

    Meet
    your
    mentors

    Hook’s mentors work across all disciplines—design, animation, production, creative, and people ops. Each one has multiple years of experience and a passion for mentorship. Meet some of our past mentors below.

    Nick
    Cheri
    Adrienne
    Kendra
    Joe
    Phil
    Mikell
    Sophie
    Maddy
    Isabelle
    Destiny
    Paul
    Evan
    Ben
    Griffin
    Torey

    Applying for
    Sandbox U

    Applications open in May of each year and are due in August. The program will start in September, after the start of an academic fall semester. During the application process, students will be asked questions about their goals and current experience to determine which mentor would be a good match. Only those with a strong interest in the industry and the time availability should apply.

    Visit our careers page to apply.

    FAQs

    What type of equipment or software do I need to participate?

    Access to a personal computer is needed to participate in our mentorship programs. For those interested in Design or Art Direction, access to Adobe Creative Cloud is highly recommended.

    Can I join Sandbox U if I already graduated?

    Yes! Sandbox U is aimed at anyone who is getting ready to launch their career in the creative industry – whether you are currently in an educational program, recently graduated, or pursuing a career change.

    Upon completion, will I receive course credit or an academic document?

    No diploma or academic credit is offered for Sandbox U.

    STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

    Email us at sandbox@byhook.com

    Sandbox

    Related

    Initiatives

    Making Creative Careers More Accessible

    We recently wrapped the Fall cohort of our Sandbox U program for early-career creatives. Here’s a look at some of the highlights featuring work from our mentees.

    feat. Sandbox U Mentees

    2 minute read

    Initiatives

    Meet Sandbox, Our Creative Mentorship Program

    Sandbox is an internal program to open the window to our industry for young people, and create more opportunities for them to make magic.

    by Alexandra Blum, People Ops Manager

    4 minute read

    Honors

    Sandbox Named Best Mentorship Program

    Sandbox, Hook’s mentorship program for students and entry-level creatives, won Best Mentorship Program at the 2024 WorkLife Awards.

    by WorkLife

    1 minute read