Meet The Rochester Simon MBA Class Of 2018

Yosra Helal

Simon Business School, University of Rochester

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I’m a curious girl, and my passion is wherever I have a role in change!

Hometown: Rochester, NY

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have a brown belt in karate, two scars on my feet from horse riding by the pyramids and took part in Egypt’s revolution to throw out Mubarak!

Undergraduate School and Major: Mechanical Engineering, Ain Shams University

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

PepsiCo – Adoption Manager and Project Manager

Danish Egyptian Dialogue Institute – Project Manager

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Leading the adoption of one of PepsiCo’s projects in Egypt.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants?  

• When it comes to your essays, just be yourself! Don’t try to stick to a standard format!

• Stay connected with admission representatives. They’re humans too and adding your personal touch to your communications will make a difference.

• Make sure to always have an answer to “Why would we accept you?” or “What will you add to our program?” Trust the fact that everyone has something to add! Just help them understand what will make you stand out.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? Family comes as my first priority; having family in Rochester was my first motive. I started to do my research on Simon to learn more about its culture and education system then got connected with one of the admission office members who helped me cover the gaps in my research and I just fell in love with Simon and it became at the top of my list! 

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? I want to be a brand manager, followed by starting my own startup in the small to medium businesses consulting and venture fund.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? She’s a supportive, creative, hard worker girl that gave us an opportunity to see the other side of a stereotyped story.