Exploring Business at Wharton

We had the opportunity to interview Eric, a student at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

1. What made you choose Wharton and your concentration in Finance and Operations Management?

I applied Early Decision to Wharton because I felt confident it was the perfect fit for me. When applying to colleges, I knew I wanted to pursue an undergraduate degree in a business-related field, and since Wharton is one of the only Ivy League schools offering a comprehensive undergraduate business education, it stood out as the best option. I also liked Penn’s location in a vibrant city and appreciated how walkable the campus is. Wharton offers the ideal opportunity to combine my interest in business with my passion for the humanities, particularly in areas like Urban Education and Educational Equity through the College and ABCS courses. I chose Finance and Operations Management as my concentrations because I want to have more quantitative skills. Through helping my parents run their small business in high school, I developed a strong interest in both fields.

2. Can you tell us what being a Joseph Wharton Scholar means and what kind of research you’re doing?

The Joseph Wharton Scholars (JWS) program is a close-knit community of about 35–40 students per class. As part of the program, we have the opportunity to take honors versions of business fundamental courses and Benjamin Franklin Seminars, which emphasize critical thinking and are always intellectually engaging. I’m not currently conducting research, as the thesis process begins in junior year.

3. How did you discover your interest in data science and analytics, and how do you think it complements your main concentration?

I’ve always been a very analytical person and enjoy examining the details and drawing conclusions from data. I chose this minor because it helps me build strong technical and analytical skills, which I believe will complement my main concentrations and better prepare me for a career as a Business Analyst or Consultant.

4. What has surprised you the most about college compared to high school?

What surprised me most is how much free time and independence you have in college. This can be both a good and bad thing—especially if you’re not great at managing your time. That said, I’ve really enjoyed the flexibility to build my own schedule and figure out what works best for me.

5. As a Teaching Assistant for the Wharton Global Youth Leadership in the Business World (LBW) program, what were your main responsibilities?

My main responsibilities included reinforcing course concepts taught in lectures and answering students’ questions related to assignments and course material.

6. What advice would you give to high school students who want to attend LBW or a similar business leadership program?

Take advantage of the opportunity to explore the school and talk to as many current students as possible. It’s a great chance to get a feel for the campus culture and really assess whether Wharton—or whichever school is hosting the program—is the right fit for you.

7. If you could give every high school student one skill, what would it be and why?

Learn how to talk to people and build genuine connections. At the end of the day, everyone is human, and the better you are at forming strong relationships, the more successful and fulfilled you’ll be in life.

Interested in connecting with Eric? You can reach out to him via LinkedIn.