Where are they now? Ingy Youssef, class of 2014

Ingy Youssef graduated from the ESSEC Global MBA program in 2014. Originally from Egypt, she decided to stay in France after her studies and continued her career in Paris. We had the opportunity to catch up with Ingy and find out about her experiences at ESSEC.

1. What were you doing before the MBA and why did you decide to come to the ESSEC Global MBA program?

Before enrolling in the Global MBA at ESSEC in France I spent 5 years as a researcher (Thesis in Accounting and Finance, with a specialization in equity valuation models), along side I worked six years in consulting (auditing, project valuation and strategy) and in finance, based in Egypt, covering the Middle East and North Africa. I have worked in the private sector as well as for international organisations (the World Bank and the United Nations).

I decided to join the ESSEC Global MBA program because of:

· The ESSEC network

· The knowledge gained from traveling in different continents

· Management and leadership skills acquired through courses

2. Please describe your career path since graduation. What is your current position and responsibilities?

After graduation I joined Roland Berger for a strategy-consulting mission, for a green field insurance project and then I was hired by AXA in the group strategy team in Paris.

3. Was there anything in particular about the Global MBA that helped prepare you for your career path or qualify you for your current position?

I benefited a lot from the ESSEC network, which gave me direct access to senior managers in all domains. I also gained some practical on-the-job classes like negotiation

4. What is your best memory from your time in the ESSEC Global MBA program?

Leadership training program at Sanit-cyr (French military academy); it was beneficial on both professional and personal aspects. On one side it was a way for me to discover my own leadership skills, and see the different leadership styles from my class that had more than 10 nationalities. Also, have a bit of fun, ending up in a dark 70m tunnel, at 2am was not expected!

5. What advice would you give to current students in the program?

· Network network network

· Keep your notes; they come handy!