A major benefit of Wharton’s MBA Program for Executives is the chance to double your network because of the School’s campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco. There are many opportunities for students on both coasts to connect throughout the program, but in a few weeks Wharton EMBA is starting something new — the entire first-year Philadelphia cohort is flying to San Francisco for five days of combined classes and activities.
“I’m hoping that the tradition of doing things together across coasts is not just going to expand their network, but make the program stronger,” said Vice Dean of Wharton’s EMBA Program Peggy Bishop Lane. “Students will all do a modular marketing course together, which is a team-based course, so we will assign the San Francisco and Philadelphia students into teams together, creating an intellectual reason for them to mix.”
Outside of the Marketing class, taught by Prof. David Reibstein, students are organizing several social activities for the evenings, including games to promote friendly competition, school spirit, and cross-coastal bonding. Activities include a “Wharton Ninja Warriors/Scholars” event, an evening tour of San Francisco via cable car, and a class dinner. Students will take time to do some good by assembling emergency kits for the homeless.
Bernie Birt, executive director of the EMBA Program at Wharton San Francisco, notes that “this is one of the several efforts to bring East and West Coast EMBA students closer together for a more shared experience.” The first step was holding last year’s Orientation for all EMBAs in Philadelphia as well as offering combined East/West Global Business Week trips. Occurring at the beginning of the second year, students have a choice to study and travel together to one of four locations. This year’s options include Argentina, Spain, China, or South Africa.
Second-year students can also take electives on both coasts, which has “helped create a wonderful sense of community across coasts,” Bernie added.
West Coast student Eric Lo, WG’18, said, “Connecting the East and West Coast classes together is a real force multiplier. Having a strong and geographically expansive network, especially one with the backing of the Wharton name, helps us tap into new business or career opportunities as well as personal development, and is something that sets this program apart.”
Posted: April 11, 2017
