A conversation with Skip Carpenter, Executive Vice President of Sales, EF Educational Tours

Skip Carpenter started as a tour consultant for EF Educational Tours at the EF Education First North American headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts. 32 years later, he is the Executive Vice President of Sales for Educational Tours and is based in EF's Denver, Colorado office. His journey at EF has been full of connection, growth, and saying yes more than no to new opportunities. Read on to learn more about Skip's journey.

How did your experience as a tour consultant shape you?

Teamwork was a huge part of the experience, both with fellow tour consultants and customers. There is a shared drive between tour consultants and the teachers we work with: we all want more kids to have the opportunity to travel to a new country, to be on their own away from their parents for the first time, and to grow in ways they don't even realize. Once I recognized that, it was easier to make connections.

What is your favorite aspect of sales?

The opportunities are endless. There's always an opportunity to improve, grow, and get better. There's always tomorrow, next week, next quarter, next year; you're always looking forward.

What's kept you passionate about working at EF for over 30 years?

The number one thing is the people. I've made lifelong friends at EF, I met my wife at EF, and my colleagues always make it fun to come to work. What we do makes a real difference in the world; I have witnessed that repeatedly – including in my kids and their EF experiences. EF is also a place that is constantly growing and evolving; I learn something new every year. The day I'm not growing and learning is when I'll need to do something else, so it looks like I'll do this for a while longer.

Looking back over your time at EF, what are some pivotal moments that shaped your career path?

I've worked in four different offices within the United States for EF, and all of those have impacted my career. Notably, a few years into starting in the Boston office, I was asked to move to Texas to open another office. I was just 25 at the time. I learned a lot from the process: how to be a manager; set goals; and how to delegate. Just having that opportunity, taking those risks, and not immediately saying no to those types of opportunities has significantly impacted my personal growth and my family.

Is there a project or accomplishment you're particularly proud of?

I’m not sure this is an accomplishment, but what I love most is whenever I step off that elevator, whether in this building in Denver or one of the other EF offices, I feel a bit of a rush. Even if I had been on vacation and completely detached from work, I get that feeling when I go back and step off the elevator and into the office. After over 30 years at this company, it’s remarkable to still feel that. I don’t see that changing.

What character trait do you think makes you best suited for your job?

I like to poke holes in things and try to understand processes. I love using data to tell a story and figure things out. And in my role, things change a lot. You need to be adaptable and able to stay calm, even if you're not feeling calm internally. I love to solve problems, so whether it's a big problem, a crisis, or a small problem, I think you get the best of me in those situations.

How would you describe your management style?

I would say supportive and trusting. The people I work best with collaborate and want to talk things through. I have a lot of trust in the people I work with, and I want to encourage them to take risks. I also want them to know that it's okay to fail; at EF, we understand that failure is part of being an entrepreneur.

As someone who has witnessed numerous market changes, how have you adapted your approach to staying ahead in the industry?

At its core, our business involves a teacher bringing students somewhere in the world. That involves transportation, hotels, and logistical things—the physical journey. And then there's the personal journey. We've helped facilitate that personal journey more and more every year.

How do you mentor younger employees and prepare them for future roles in the company? What advice do you usually give them?

Self-awareness is a good place to start. Being honest with yourself and aware of your strengths, weaknesses, and what you want to develop allows you to receive feedback. Having a good student mentality doesn’t hurt either. It always comes down to your work, effort, and the relationships you build. All will carry you a long way.