Learn more about our
CLUB activities
The Wharton Energy & Climate Club (WECC) is a student-led organization at the heart of energy and climate innovation at Wharton. Our work spans professional development, content creation, community building, and industry engagement—giving members a hands-on platform to explore and shape the future of the energy transition. Below is an overview of our core initiatives:
WHARTON ENERGY & CLIMATE CONFERENCE
WECC’s flagship Wharton Energy & Climate Conference brings together top executives, policymakers, investors, and innovators to tackle the most pressing issues in energy and climate. Planned and executed entirely by students, the conference includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, networking events, and a recruiting forum. It’s one of Wharton’s largest industry events and a cornerstone of the club experience.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WECC helps members build the knowledge, network, and confidence to pursue impactful careers across the energy and climate landscape. We host regular speaker events and panels with industry leaders across clean energy, climate tech, utilities, finance, and policy. Our professional trainings—such as project finance and energy modeling—offer hands-on opportunities to build technical fluency in key areas of the energy transition. Members also have access to a live resource database featuring recruiting tips, interview prep materials, and curated background content across energy sub-sectors. Finally, our Career Pods program connects students with similar professional interests in small peer groups that support career exploration and job search strategies throughout the year.
ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
We’re building a durable alumni network that supports students during and beyond their time at Wharton. We maintain a growing alumni database and contact map, offer a one-on-one mentorship program that connects students with alumni in the field, and host alumni-focused programming such as panels, networking dinners, and career chats.
PODCAST
Our podcast, The Wharton Current, features interviews with leaders across the energy and climate ecosystem—from climate tech founders and policy experts to investors and utility executives. Produced by a dedicated WECC team, the podcast offers timely insights and big-picture perspectives on the forces shaping the energy transition. It serves as a platform for education and thought leadership for the Wharton and Penn communities.
BLOG
The WECC blog highlights key developments in energy and climate through curated articles, event recaps, and expert interviews. Managed by a dedicated WECC team, the blog is designed to inform and inspire the Wharton community by showcasing trends, technologies, and people driving the energy transition. It serves as an accessible resource for students exploring the field from a wide range of backgrounds.
CAREER TREKS
Our treks give members first-hand exposure to employers and alumni across the energy landscape. In New York, we explore clean energy investing, project finance, and banking. In San Francisco, we visit climate tech startups and venture firms. In Washington, D.C., we connect with federal policy and regulatory organizations. Our Houston and Austin trek focuses on utilities, infrastructure, and emerging tech. We also host a specialized trek for students recruiting into energy investment banking. Each trek is designed to foster professional exploration and strengthen alumni connections.
Internal Engagement
WECC builds community with intention—creating opportunities for members to connect socially in ways that deepen professional relationships. We host small-group dinners, club-wide happy hours, and active events like rock climbing that foster informal conversations and meaningful peer connections. These touchpoints help members get to know one another across classes, backgrounds, and career interests—building the trust and familiarity that fuel stronger collaboration, recruiting support, and long-term professional networks.
EXTERNAL Engagement
We play a leading role in connecting Wharton and Penn’s broader energy and climate ecosystems. This role includes partnerships with clubs such as Wharton’s Sustainable Business Club, Wharton’s Outdoors Club, and Wharton Impact Investing Partners, collaboration beyond Wharton with Penn Engineering and the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, and participation in broader, campus-wide energy and climate programming. We strive to be a platform that brings together students, faculty, alumni, and industry toward a shared energy and climate future.
