In the rugged wilderness of Patagonia’s Cerro Castillo of Chile, Wharton junior Jacob Pollack embarks on a journey that transcends physical borders by delving into the realms of leadership, resilience, and self-discovery. Hosted by Wharton’s McNulty Leadership Ventures, this trek evolved into a transformative experience that reshaped Pollack’s perspective on both leadership and life.
The Wharton Catalyst
Pollack, originally from Millburn, New Jersey, joined Wharton to merge his passion for Cinema Studies with a keen interest in economics and management. He discovered a unique blend of theory and practice at Wharton.
“What Wharton does well is innumerable in the grand scheme of a business education,” says Pollack. “But my favorite part is arguably the practicality of all my Wharton learnings. Many of my Wharton professors come from backgrounds rooted in real-world business experiences and thus they teach from real-world examples. The Leadership Venture was an opportunity to expand on Wharton’s other real-world opportunities”
A rigorous test of leadership and teamwork, the students landed in Chile and almost immediately began to navigate challenging terrains, accompanied by guides well-versed in cartography and the geography of the region. The guides were on-hand to assist with any urgent medical interventions, but only if the students found themselves in a true emergency situation.
“This independence, out in the elements and with only each other on whom to rely, really tested me as a leader,” Pollack says. “We weren’t babysat. We had to work together as a team, whether it was dealing with maps, compass, GPS, or making sure everyone’s healthy and safe.”
One particular moment of test for Pollack’s group occurred when they lost their way on the last treks of the trip, turning a routine hike into a grueling ordeal.
“It was a rough day because we spent so much effort trying to get on track and we never really did,” says Pollack. But underlying this challenge lay the opportunity for even stronger camaraderie amongst the trekkers, thus setting the stage for their ultimate triumph: summiting one of the highest peaks of the entire Cerro Castillo mountain range.
This achievement, as Jacob puts it, remains “one of the proudest things I’ve ever done.”
Inspiring Future Journeys
The trek not only honed Jacob’s leadership skills but also ignited his passion for global exploration. Post Patagonia, Jacob ventured to Buenos Aires for an internship at a local tech startup, further honing his Spanish language skills and obtaining business-level fluency. Later, he again returned to South America to explore Brazil and other exciting locales.
“The program really rejuvenated my interest in hiking, backpacking, and exploring the world,” says Pollack. “All of these subsequent experiences were direct outcomes of the confidence and curiosity sparked by Chile during the time I spent there with Wharton.”
More than a physical challenge, Pollack defines his time in Patagonia as a profound lesson in leadership and self-discovery. “Being a leader in the wilderness builds character,” he reflects. According to Pollack, the skills he developed include adaptability, teamwork, and decision-making. After so much personal growth undertaken during this pivotal period in Pollack’s life, he is certain that his Patagonia Leadership Venture will continue to be invaluable in his future endeavors, both personal and professional.
– Grace Meredith
Posted: December 19, 2023
