Samantha and Sharon: EF Friends Forever
/)
Samantha and Sharon met while singing together with the Echo Chamber Singers in Shanghai, China. They became fast friends, eventually traveling to Cuba together on vacation. Samantha was constantly talking up EF Education First, where she worked as a Talent Acquisition Supervisor in EF’s Shanghai office.
At the time, Sharon was working for a bank and was looking for new opportunities—and the more Samantha talked about how much she liked working at EF, the more Sharon wanted to work there, too. Eventually, Samantha sent Sharon the perfect open role: Banking Cashier in EF’s Shanghai office. Sharon got the job, and the two now spend even more time together in the office. We asked Samantha how she knew Sharon belonged at EF.
Q: How did you know Sharon was the perfect fit for EF?
A: From singing in the same choir to traveling to Cuba together, I knew she was fun and fit the culture!
Q: What’s your favorite thing about working at EF?
A: The people for sure! It’s hard to find a place where almost all the people working around you are nice, fun, smart, but also incredibly humble.
Q: What’s your best EF memory with Sharon?
A: I can never forget the moment when I saw Sharon having her new staff orientation in our Shanghai headquarters. The second she recognized me, all of a sudden, a big smile appeared on her face.
Q: What EF core value does Sharon display most?
A: Attention to detail and cost-consciousness. She’s in finance and has worked for big banks before. Sharon has more patience and concentration than me when dealing with numbers and budgets, which is good for her role on the finance team!
Q: How does Sharon make EF a better place to work?
A: By handling work with her professionalism, she guarantees every account EF creates is without problem.
Q: What’s a key piece of advice you would give to a new EFer?
A: Don’t be shy, communicate with more people around you. You will either benefit from others’ experience working in EF, or find your opportunities for your own career.