Marcus Ong

SHA’99 Area Sales Leader, Marriott International

Hometown: Bellerose, NY

Current Location: Westchester County, NY

Why did you choose SHA? 
Reputation of the School and its location in a major metropolitan city.

What is your favorite BU memory?
The friends that I made while in school. Some of my closest friends to this day I met at school. I still have relationships with some of my professors as well.

What was your first full-time job, and how did you end up in your current position?
Sales manager for Marriott International at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel. I got this job through a Marriott recruiter that came to BU during my senior year.

Please describe your current role, and how your SHA education has impacted your career.
Currently I am a senior group sales manager for The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park. I am responsible for proactively soliciting, negotiating, and managing group-related opportunities. I am responsible for achieving personal and team-related revenue goals. As a senior manager I am responsible for the growth and production of the members of my team.

SHA helped prepare me for this role by helping me mature as a businessperson through my courses, projects, work experience requirements, and interaction with the faculty. Many of my key learnings are taken away from casual conversations with the professors. We would spend time discussing their past work experiences and how they came to where they are today. Maturity in the business world is a key component that SHA helped me to understand and allowed for me to have an easy transition from academics to business.

Any advice for current and prospective students?
Be aggressive early on in your career. Do not be afraid to move around and take risks. Very early in your career you have little to lose if you change jobs, positions, or locations. Be analytical in your career moves—have an understanding on where your next role will eventually lead you. Do not become complacent in your position.