Youcef Bennour

New York University, Stern School of Business

“Passionate multilingual engineer and business leader aiming to empower, connect, uplift, and impact the world.”

Hometown: Federal Way, WA, and Algiers, Algeria

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a sneakerhead with a collection of over a hundred pairs

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Washington, Computer Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Expedia Group, Software Engineer

What excites you the most about living in New York City and how do you see it enhancing your learning experience? I am most excited about living in New York because of its unparalleled dynamic energy. NYC is ideal for building school or city relationships, connecting with the global community, and accessing some of the world’s leading companies.

Living in New York City will enhance my learning experience by allowing me to arrange coffee chats with leading finance firms, professors, and alumni. I will also be able to attend recruiting events and take an in-semester internship to gain practical business experience.

Beyond the learning opportunities, the city offers diverse foods and various cultural scenes, including world-class museums, music venues, and cultural festivals, providing endless opportunities to explore and appreciate different traditions and perspectives.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of NYU Stern’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I chose NYU Stern because of its extensive experiential learning opportunities. The MBA program at NYU Stern goes beyond teaching the basics and applying classroom skills to summer internships within two years. It allows students to utilize classroom knowledge to solve real-world problems throughout their studies, creating a supportive environment that minimizes the fear of failure. One experiential learning opportunity that excites me is Endless Frontier Labs, where students provide business development support to founders on their business strategies and financial models, helping them uncover new opportunities.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at NYU Stern? One of the Stern courses that excites me the most is “Doing Business in…” which offers the chance to explore how business is conducted in various countries. This course will give me practical insights into global markets, regulatory environments, and industry-specific challenges.

I’m also thrilled about Passport Day, where students across Stern come together to celebrate their countries, heritages, and backgrounds. I look forward to sharing my grandma’s North African couscous recipe with my peers.

What does EQ (Emotional Intelligence) mean to you and when have you seen its value in your career? EQ, or emotional intelligence, is the ability to allow others to be their most authentic selves. It involves connecting with oneself and embracing others with respect, humility, and empathy for who they are while also learning about their perspectives and needs. EQ enables individuals to build genuine relationships while uplifting one another.

EQ has been essential in my career as a software engineer, extending beyond writing code and working cross-functionally with other teams. It is the stage where I go beyond the deliverables to build relationships with clients, leadership, and, most importantly, my team. Understanding who they are, their needs, and how to collaborate has been essential in driving business success.=

EQ is also a skill that requires continuous improvement, and I am eager to improve it at Stern.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest achievement was being accepted and awarded a fellowship at NYU Stern. Nothing can surpass the feeling I had when I received the call from the admissions office with the good news.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026? Resourcefulness is the unique quality that will enable me to contribute to the Class of 2026. I plan to leverage the resources and connections I’ve gained through Management Leadership for Tomorrow and The Consortium, and other organizations to benefit my classmates.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into NYU Stern’s MBA program? The most important advice is to stay true to yourself. NYU Stern’s MBA program values individuality and does not look for a specific profile. It’s about bringing your unique experiences to the table, so be confident in your authenticity.

Another essential recommendation is to connect with current MBA 1’s and 2’s. Building relationships with them can provide valuable insights and a sense of community. Also, take advantage of the opportunity to attend the Stern Immersion Weekend, where you can experience Stern and meet potential future classmates.

Lastly, remember to give equal attention to all aspects of the application. While test scores are essential, essays, recommendations and resumes play a significant role. It’s the holistic view that NYU Stern’s MBA program takes in its selection process.

DON’T MISS: MEET NYU STERN’S MBA CLASS OF 2026