Penn and Wharton students: Learn more about the intersection of social impact and business, virtually! From programs with the Wharton Social Impact Initiative, online events with industry experts, diverse courses, and more, here are a few opportunities to explore this semester.
1. Apply for the Jacobs Impact Entrepreneur Prize
First-year MBAs, do you have plans to launch or expand your social enterprise? The Jacobs Impact Entrepreneur Prize can help power your education-related startup. Three awardees will receive funding ($5K–$50K) to sustain the development of their venture, connect with a global network of supporters and advisors, access professional development, and more. Apply by February 1.
2. Take Social Impact Courses at Wharton
It’s not too late to sign up for a class! If you’re interested in social impact, Wharton offers numerous courses that will help you understand and tackle many of the most pressing social and environmental challenges in the world. We’ve highlighted just a few of the many courses available, or you can check out our full listing of social impact courses offered this semester and beyond.
3. Become a Wharton Social Impact Assistant
Passionate about social impact and business? Looking for valuable, cross-functional experience? Wharton Social Impact Initiative is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented undergraduate work-study eligible student to support its general operations. In addition to working with the whole Wharton Social Impact team, you’ll also attend special virtual activities hosted by WSII, including speaker series, trainings, and group meetings. This is an opportunity to work closely with social impact practitioners and faculty and to learn about the field. Apply now.
4. Attend Virtual Coffee Chats
Over the last year, we had engaging discussions about impact investing and responsible business with special guest speakers. We heard from Radhika Shroff (Managing Director, Impact Investing Private Equity at Nuveen), Joe Lipscomb (Co-Founder and Partner at Arborview Capital), and Gayle Jennings O’Byrne and Pialy Aditya (Co-Founders and General Partners at WOCstar Fund). We’ll send you updates throughout the year as other industry experts join us in conversation. Sign up to be in the loop on events.
5. Listen to the Dollars and Change Podcast
Have you checked out our podcast, Dollars and Change? Grab your headphones and a coffee, and catch up on episodes with leading industry experts who are changing the world through social enterprises, impact investing, corporate social responsibility programs, social impact research, and more. Recent guests include leaders from Google, Vital Farms, Ford Foundation, Adasina Social Capital, and more.
6. Sign Up for our Student Email List
As you may have guessed from our other ways to get involved above, opportunities like paid positions and virtual events pop up throughout the semester. If you haven’t already done so, take a minute to sign up for our student-specific list. You’ll not only get our monthly newsletter that shares general social impact updates, but you’ll also receive information tailored specifically (and exclusively!) for Penn/Wharton students.
Visit the Wharton Social Impact website for more ways to stay connected.
— Nisa Nejadi
Posted: January 19, 2021
