Engineering the Hive: Valerio’s EF Journey

At EF Education First, our mission is “opening the world through education,” and one of our core values is passion. Valerio, Senior Salesforce Engineer for EF International Language Campuses, combines the two when he brings his knowledge as a beekeeper to work to educate his Zurich office colleagues on the important role bees play in the ecosystem, and what we can do to keep our little friends buzzing. Keep reading to learn more about Valerio’s EF Journey.

Can you start by telling us a little about your background and where you're from?

I'm from a very small mountain village in Northern Italy, close to the border with Switzerland, between Como Lake and Lugano Lake. The village has about 300 people, and it's surrounded by mountains and forests. It's a place where everyone knows each other, and it feels like one big family.

What was it like growing up there?

It was different. In primary school, we had only 12 students across five different years, which was considered a big class. For secondary school, I had to travel to Como, waking up at 5:30 AM to take a bus for over an hour each way. It was challenging but also helped me focus on my studies.

That takes a strong work ethic. Did you learn that from any of your family members?

Yes, my grandfather had a farm, and my father worked as an engineer. My mother was a teacher at the local school. They found a way to live permanently in the village, which isn't common for everyone due to limited job opportunities.

Was Italian the primary language in your village?

Yes, Italian was the primary language. The Swiss side nearby also speaks Italian, specifically in the Ticino region.

When did you move out of your hometown?

After college in Como, I went to university in Milan, where I stayed for seven years. I studied engineering at Politecnico di Milano and worked there for two years after graduation. Later, I moved to Zurich for a job opportunity.

How did you find your current job at EF?

I met someone at a Salesforce event who worked at EF, and he introduced me to the team. I applied and got the job.

What made you want to work at EF?

I was interested in the education sector. I like dealing with students and teaching, which might be influenced by my mother being a teacher.

How would you describe your job at EF?

I'm a developer who takes care of the IT system used throughout the student journey at EF. This includes marketing, sales, and production sides of the business. I implement new functionalities and help the business run smoothly.

Have you enjoyed your job so far?

Absolutely. It's been great, and I've even had the opportunity to travel to places like Miami and Budapest for work.

You mentioned a passion for agriculture. Can you tell us more about that?

Yes, I was always interested in agriculture, influenced by my grandfathers. After starting my career, I took a beekeeping course with a friend, which led us to buy our own bee families. This passion has grown over the years.

How many bees do you have, and what is the management like?

It varies by season, with about 10,000 bees in the winter and up to 90,000 in the summer per bee family. Bees are relatively low maintenance as they feed themselves and keep their hive clean. I manage them over the weekends.

Do you harvest honey?

Yes, we harvest honey three times a year. In 2023, we produced over 700 kilos of honey from around 30 bee families. It's a group effort, and we all gather to help during the harvest.

How did you bring your passion for beekeeping to work?

I started organizing informative events about bees at work. When I joined EF, I was told about the Green Team, EF’s sustainability affinity group. I learned that the group’s objective is to discuss the environment, sustainability, and try to promote them in different sectors. So, it was natural to join the group and work to organize bee sessions.

What are these bee sessions like?

I use a PowerPoint presentation and lead activities and workshops to make the sessions interesting and interactive. The focus is on the importance of wild bees, how to save them, and small actions everyone can take.

How have your sessions been received by your coworkers?

The feedback has been positive. There was some initial concern about attracting bees to the office, but it's been a good opportunity to educate people about how harmless and important bees are.

What are some small actions people can take to help preserve wild bees?

Planting a variety of flowers, letting gardens grow wild, and providing homes for wild bees are some simple actions. Spreading knowledge about the importance of bees is also crucial.

Has bringing your passion for beekeeping to work changed how you view your job?

It has enriched my life. I balance my work with my passion for beekeeping, and I'm grateful for the flexibility my job provides.

What are your goals with the EF Green Team going forward?

I hope to expand our initiatives beyond the office to EF schools, collaborate with other Green Team branches, and continue raising awareness about sustainability and environmental topics.

For more, visit Valerio's website.