Cohort/Team Profile
Increasingly, the business world requires people to work successfully in teams
that depend on persuasive leadership rather than reporting relationships.
Wharton's learning team model brings together classmates from around the globe,
working to achieve common goals. You explore different leadership styles in a
risk-free training ground that promotes both effective leadership and collaboration.
The Ichiban Southern Proper
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A microcosm of Wharton's diversity, members of the Ichiban Team hail from California, Venezuela, New Hampshire, and Japan. Read perspectives on how their team experience shaped their first year at Wharton.
Omar McGann"Wharton's emphasis on leadership, and leadership in business is really important to me. Our learning team experience has been a tremendous exercise in gaining these skills. It's really been a transformative experience." Hometown: Brooklyn, NY At WhartonExtracurricular Activities: Follies, Whartones, M&E Club, AAMBAA Gonzalo Mibelli"If I had to pick one trait I admire most in my learning team, it would be diversity. Everyone brings a different point of view and it's energizing to work towards building consensus. It's so applicable to real world situations; I know I'm gaining experience that will last a lifetime." Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela At WhartonExtracurricular Activities: Extracurricular Activities/Clubs: Whalasa Co-President, Rebuilding Together House Manager, Soccer Club, Full-Time GA, Athletic Rep for Cohort E, Finance Club, Marketing Club, Fashion and Luxury Industries Club.
Michael Pierog"At our retreat in the Catskills, our team set clear objectives and decided we were going to focus on our individual learning. Instead of allowing the statistics expert do a statistics project, for example, we were going to give it to the person who needed to improve their skills." Hometown: Salem NH At WhartonExtracurricular Activities: Private Equity Club, Investment Management Club, Soccer Club Michelle Huang"Just being able to work with such a close knit group on a consistent basis has allowed me to simulate what goes on in the real world. My learning team members have been fabulous partners." Hometown: Rowland Heights, California At WhartonExtracurricular Activities: Wildmen Hockey Club, Wharton International Volunteer Program (WIVP), Wharton Asian American Association of MBAs (WAAAM), Wine Club Karen Hayes, WG'09"My teammates pushed me to learn more about myself, challenged me to rise above my weaknesses, and supported me every step of the way – truly serving as a beacon during those difficult moments in my first year. Through intense collaboration and the opportunities I had to lead such an amazing group, the Learning Team brought a new dimension to my leadership experience and I am better off for it – both as a leader and as team player." Hometown: Camarillo, CA At WhartonExtracurricular Activities: Co-President, Fashion & Luxuries Club, Advisory Board Member, Japan Club, Spring Welcome Weekend Volunteer Committee, WIVP program, Shuichiro Kawada"The Learning Team gives you a safety net and a feeling of belonging to a particular group of people. You start taking more risks and doing things outside your core expertise. The bonds we've formed will go way beyond our two years here." Hometown: Tokyo, Japan At WhartonExtracurricular Activities: Dance Studio (Hip-Hop), Wharton International Cultural Show, Japan Club |
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This learning team became fast friends during the Learning Team Retreat and are even planning to have their families all reside in the same area to continue their friendships beyond their Wharton experience. Alexis Bernstein"My learning teammates have pushed me to try new tasks and activities that I otherwise would avoid, knowing that they are not in my skill set. They have constantly reminded me that our team operates in a risk-free environment and so challenging ourselves is vital to developing as teammates and leaders." Hometown: Newton, MA Avery Reaves"From the moment we “discovered” our team at the Catskills, our team has been very close. We have worked together, played together, celebrated our successes with one another, and supported each other through tough times. I really feel that my team is like family, and I know that I will remain close with each of my teammates long after I leave Wharton." Hometown: Memphis, TN Joyce Kim"I have engaged in intense but some of the most dynamic debates with my learning team, which has pushed me in my level of thought and understanding of business concepts." Hometown: Potomac, MC Jonathon Yeatman"It is incredibly rare to have a group of bright, talented individuals who will give candid, and meaningful feedback. Our learning team recognizes the opportunity and responsibility we have to develop each other in this way. My learning team has approached the Wharton opportunity with passion and curiosity. We challenge each other to think more deeply about things in a way that makes all of us better." Hometown: Asheville, NC Leticia Lazaridis Goldberg"It has been a great experience to learn about the different work styles, interests and motivations of each person in my learning team. Not to mention, how much they have contributed to my personal growth and development, being able follow and be a part of their growth in the pursuit of their dreams has been an honor. Their unique qualities have touched me and will keep inspiring me in my future path." Hometown: Rio de Janeiro / Brazil Neil Parikh"We've become great friends that support each other academically and personally. At dinner today, we talked about how we should raise our families in the same neighborhood. That's how close we've become! We've learned a lot from each other and laughed a lot together." Hometown: La Habra Heights, CA |
