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Is an MBA Worth It? How One Kogod MBA Alumna’s Career Pivot Led to Global Impact at Marriott International

Getting an MBA in an opportunity-dense market like DC can unlock new opportunities, deliver faster ROI, and help alumni create long-term impact at global organizations.

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Kogod School of Business

For many professionals considering an MBA, the real question isn’t just where to study—it’s whether the degree will lead to meaningful career growth.

For Kogod MBA alumna Anju Varghese, the answer came through a clear shift: using the MBA to move out of technical execution and into business strategy.

Today, she works in the Business Transformation Office at Marriott International, helping lead the rollout of new technology systems across more than 10,000 hotels worldwide.

Anju’s path to Marriott wasn’t linear—but it was intentional.

When Is the Right Time to Pursue an MBA?

For Anju, the decision took shape during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After working in tech consulting in her native India, she experienced disruptions—salary reductions, shifting responsibilities, and uncertainty. At the same time, she began freelancing and working more independently, which exposed her to a broader view of how businesses operate.

That shift sparked a bigger question: what would it take to move into business strategy instead of staying in a predominantly technical role?

Anju decided to get an MBA and make a career pivot. Next came the decision of where to get that MBA.

What Should You Look for in an MBA Program?

Anju approached the MBA search with a clear goal: find a program that would support a career pivot and deliver strong job outcomes upon graduation.

After narrowing her list to five programs, she chose the Kogod School of Business at American University based on three factors:

  • Location in Washington, DC, with access to DC-area employers and industry connections (note: more than fifty Fortune 500 companies have a presence in the DC area)
  • Strong career outcomes and reputation amongst employers
  • A competitive scholarship that made the investment more feasible

Like most MBA decisions, Anju was considering tons of factors: academics, rankings, location. Most important to her, though, was access—to employers, networks, and opportunities that would accelerate her transition into a new field.

How Do You Evaluate the ROI of an MBA?

For Anju, return on investment was a central consideration from the start.

It was a huge investment, but the recovery time is small. With the scholarship and the job outcome, it makes sense.”

Anju Varghese

Anju Varghese

The ROI of the Kogod MBA looks different for every student. For Anju, ROI constituted:

  • Reduced upfront cost through scholarship support
  • Consistent access to employers through networking and recruiting events
  • A clear post-MBA outcome aligned with her long-term goals

The MBA allowed Anju to shift into a different kind of role with greater scope, more meaningful impact, and clearer long-term growth potential.

How Do MBA Students Turn Opportunities into Jobs?

Access alone doesn’t lead to outcomes. What mattered most in Anju’s MBA experience was how she used the resources available to her.

Through Kogod’s Career Development team, she worked closely with a career advisor—sometimes daily during peak recruiting periods—to refine her resume, prepare for interviews, and navigate the hiring process.

At the same time, she made a deliberate effort to show up and take advantage of every opportunity presented to her.

I didn’t want to miss anything. You never know who might be looking for an intern—or a hire.”

Anju Varghese

Anju Varghese

At a morning alumni event, she connected with a Marriott professional who would later become her hiring manager. That initial conversation led to interviews, an internship, and ultimately a full-time role at Marriott.

What Does a Post-MBA Career Actually Look Like?

Today, Anju’s work sits at the intersection of technology and business strategy.

At Marriott, she helps lead large-scale transformation initiatives, including:

  • Deployment of a new central reservation system
  • Implementation of updated property management systems
  • Global rollout planning across thousands of hotel properties

“We determine which hotels go first, what the cadence looks like, and what support they’ll need,” she explains.

During early system launches, her team worked overnight to support implementation. But the late nights were completely worth it to Anju.

She had landed in exactly the kind of role she set out to reach: strategic, global, and high-impact.

How Does Location Influence MBA Career Outcomes?

For Anju, being in Washington, DC played a meaningful role in her experience.

The city offers access to major employers, networking opportunities, and a strong professional ecosystem. Marriott, for example, is headquartered in nearby Bethesda, MD.

For MBA students, location isn’t just a backdrop—it’s part of the value proposition.

The Bottom Line: Is an MBA Worth It?

Anju’s MBA experience shows that the degree works best when it’s used as a way to define and position your strengths, build employer connections, and access roles with long-term growth and impact.

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