Campus Connection

UWL student manages social networking company’s expansion into new countries

International Student Yousaf Almazrou is making the most of his time in the U.S. When he’s not leading UWL’s International Student Organization or listening to debate on the student senate floor, he’s considering how to expand American social media applications in foreign countries. Almazrou was recently hired as an international marketing intern at the social networking start up company, Yik Yak. He manages the application’s growth in Saudi Arabia, as well as several other Persian Gulf countries. “I’m trying to take advantage of being here in the U.S.,” he says. “That’s an awesome privilege.” Almazrou says making the most of his time in the U.S. started with making the most of his time at UWL. He is a full-time student who is also president of the International Student Organization, a student senator, and part of an Islamophobia Working Group on campus, which has been dedicated to combating prejudice against Islam or Muslims. “He is seen as a leader on campus for international students,” says Miranda Panzer, UWL international student advisor. “Sometimes I think international students don’t feel like their voices are heard. He is doing his best to show that international students can have their voices heard by being involved in these different organizations.”

UWL resources help

Almazrou has spent “free time” outside of classes and organizations researching work opportunities off campus to gain more hands-on international experience. He had assistance from UWL Career Service and the Office of International Education and Engagement with everything from resume writing to processing paperwork required for work in the U.S. UWL Career Services assisted students in setting up 137 internships this summer, including 123 taken for credit. Almazrou is also thankful for his advisors who have been mentors and encouraged him to apply for prestigious internship opportunities. “I never thought I could get such a prestigious internship as this one,” he says. “I was more applying out of curiosity.” After four, back-to-back, 30-minute interviews with Yik Yak via Google Hangouts, Almazrou discovered he landed the job. "Yousaf is such a joy to work with and be around," says Elisa Rossi, director of International Growth at Yik Yak. "We loved his energy from the first time we met him. What helped seal the deal was that he was knowledgeable, insightful and a strategic thinker." Almazrou’s role entails data analysis on application users, developing marketing strategies, engaging social media communities and more. He’s relied on UWL training in communications, statistics and economics. “UWL classes have absolutely been helpful to me to actually do this job,” he says. Almazrou would eventually like to pursue a career in international business. As part of the International Growth Team at Yik Yak, he feels he is getting solid preparation. “It’s amazing and fascinating,” he says. “It’s a lot of work. It takes the whole day. But the people who are using the app in these countries like that the app is now managed by a person who relates to them and can understand them perfectly.” Yik Yak Yik Yak is a location-based, social network located on more than 2,000 college campuses with a user base comprised of 98 percent