Voices of Jelper Club Members — Mao Hotta, Cornell/Kyoto Dual Degree '26 - From Goldman Sachs to Hospitality: Building the Foundation for Her Own Hotel

Mao Hotta's career path reads like a masterclass in strategic exploration. Born and raised in Tokyo, she studied journalism at Keio University, worked as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs, and is now pursuing a dual MBA at Kyoto University and Master of Management in Hospitality at Cornell. Her ultimate goal? Opening her own hotel in rural Japan.

We sat down with Mao to learn how she's been building her dream one unconventional step at a time.

---Tell us about your background and what sparked your interest in hospitality.

Mao: I grew up in Tokyo and went to the same all-girls school from kindergarten through high school. My father is a pilot for ANA and my mother was a flight attendant for JAL, so traveling was always part of my life. I did summer programs abroad—like a basketball camp in San Francisco when I was 12—and that gave me an early appetite for international experiences.

During university, I worked part-time as a receptionist at Aoyama Grand Hotel. I was on the opening staff, which meant launching a hotel during COVID. It was hectic, but working alongside my coworkers—we worked really hard to satisfy guests, to increase the guest experience—that's when it hit me.

"This is my job. Like, this is the thing that I want to do for the rest of my life."

---You studied journalism at Keio. How did you end up at Goldman Sachs?

Mao: I was passionate about journalism—I loved the idea of conveying important information to people. But when I started job hunting, I was disappointed. Japanese mass media wasn't what I expected in reality.

At the same time, I knew if I wanted to open my own hotel in the future, I'd need finance and analytical skills. I wasn't a math or finance person at all—I was studying journalism. But that's exactly why I chose Goldman. I wanted to challenge myself.

---What did you learn during your 2.5 years in investment banking?

Mao: So much. I worked across every sector—M&A, debt offerings, equity offerings, apparel, industrials, insurance, banks. I learned how Japanese businesses work, how they expand, and how they die. That perspective is invaluable for my future as an entrepreneur.

I also learned resilience. Some of them were harsh—not good people. But that experience made me strong. I learned how to deal with different types of people in a work environment with so much pressure.

"Nothing is more hard than working as an analyst at Goldman, I would say. So I'm not afraid of any jobs or works or assignments that I'll probably get in a few years."

---Why the dual degree at Cornell and Kyoto University?

Mao: I wanted the best of both worlds—you could get both, you know? Cornell's hospitality program is world-class, and Kyoto University gave me a chance to finally live in Kansai. Since I was born and raised in Tokyo, I never had the chance to live there before. The culture is so different.

Kyoto is also dealing with overtourism, so living there while studying hospitality just made sense. Plus—I don't want to spend too much winter in Ithaca!

---What's your vision for the future?

Mao: My next step is working in real estate investment, specifically hospitality assets. I want to learn how to evaluate properties in Japan.

Eventually, I want to open my own hotel. Something in a really inaka area. My mother's best friend has a small, tiny ryokan in Akita, and I love that—the Akita inaka cozy vibes. That's my future plan.

---Any advice for Jelpers figuring out their path?

Mao: It's not always right to start with what you want to do. Explore yourself, go into different industries—you might learn something new you've never known before.

Just follow your feeling in that moment. Don't really think about the path you have to create.

Final Thoughts

Mao's journey wasn't linear. She went from journalism to investment banking to hospitality management—each step teaching her something new about herself and her goals. From opening a hotel during COVID as a college student to surviving Goldman Sachs, she built the skills and resilience she'll need to run her own business.

"It's not always right to start with what you want to do. Explore yourself, go into different industries—you might learn something new you've never known before."

For students considering an unconventional path, Mao's advice is clear: don't overthink it. Follow your feeling in the moment. The detours might just be the foundation you need.

This is Article 1 in a 3-part series featuring Mao Hotta's journey from Goldman Sachs to hospitality entrepreneurship.

(Editor: Jelper Club Operations Team)