From co-op to full-time job

In partnership with a student's college or university, EF's Cooperative Education (co-op) Program gives students the opportunity to align their academic and future career goals with real, full-time professional experience. Co-ops run for six months, starting in January or June, and are based in Boston and D.C., with opportunities across sales, customer service, operations, finance, and marketing.

For many students, a co-op is just the beginning. Every year, students join us across the company and get hands-on experience, real projects, and a genuine feel for what it's like to work here. For a lot of them, that experience turns into something more: a full-time role.

We asked five former co-ops, now full-time EF employees, to reflect on that transition. Here's what they had to say about the connections they made, the skills they built, and why they stayed.

Alex

Marketing and Creative Co-Op → Brand Marketing Coordinator, EF Ultimate Break

What's a day like in your current role?
I head our Campus Program and initiatives by managing our Campus and Brand Ambassador programs, Campus Marketing activations, write the college blogs, and manage our College Influencer program. Additionally, I am on the Social Media team and manage the new @efcollegebreak account, and assist in the creation of content for our main @efultimatebreak handle.

How did your co-op prepare you for your current role?
I was able to get a lot of hands on experience and learning time in the two sections of the marketing team I work in now. I had amazing mentors and coworkers that were always helping me learn more and grow in my confidence.

What is your favorite part of working at EF and what makes it unique?
My favorite part about working at EF is the people! We truly have such a special group of people that work here and they make work not feel like work! Plus, where else in the world could I work where part of my job is to travel!

What drew you to apply for the co-op?
I always knew I wanted to work for EF (specifically Ultimate Break), since I started traveling with them in 2022. When this opportunity arose, I knew it was my chance to finally make my dream a reality!

Regina

Marketing & Events Co-Op → Marketing Coordinator, Cultural Care Au Pair

What's a day like in your current role?
Our Local Childcare Consultants (LCCs) play a huge role in supporting both host families and au pairs within their local communities. I help the marketing efforts to make sure they have the right tools for both online and in-person outreach.

How did your co-op prepare you for your current role?
During my co-op, I grew in areas such as communication, attention to detail, and managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

What is your favorite part of working at EF and what makes it unique?
My favorite part is seeing the impact of the work we do! As a former au pair with Cultural Care Au Pair, I feel a personal connection to the program, which makes it especially meaningful. It's truly unique to be part of a company that creates life-changing experiences for others.

What drew you to apply for the co-op?
I knew it would be a great opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. I wanted to gain valuable experience, develop my skills, and open doors for future opportunities.

Jalen

Recruiting & People Operations Co-Op → HR Coordinator, EF

What's a day like in your current role?
I support the HR team by approving requests in our system and managing questions from EF employees across the US. Another key part of my role is working directly with new hires. I walk them through our benefits presentation, highlighting the strengths of our health plans, retirement options, and company perks to ensure they understand and take full advantage of what we offer.

How did your co-op prepare you for your current role?
My co-op prepared me for my role by exposing me to both the HR and recruiting worlds. Starting off in recruiting gave me an advantage because I got to see the lifecycle of a prospective candidate becoming a full-time employee.

What is your favorite part of working at EF and what makes it unique?
It's the people I work with every single day that make EF truly a special place to be. I don't know many places where you can walk into work just to be greeted by smiles, enthusiasm, conversations that make you laugh hysterically, and hot chocolate. It just doesn't get any better. The passion I see from my team inspires me every day and makes coming into the office so enjoyable.

What drew you to apply for the co-op?
EF's mission of opening the world through education and making the world a better place is what drew me to apply. I wholeheartedly believe in making the world a better place through kind words, actions, gestures, and how you show up for others. After reading the job posting and seeing what this organization is about, I envisioned myself in this role and applying was a no-brainer. I put extra effort and preparation into my application because I felt so connected to the mission. Almost 2 years later, I've met the most brilliant people, made true friends, had ups and downs, been exposed to all kinds of challenges, and grown in so many ways.

Fiona

Entrepreneurial Sales and Business Development Co-Op → Tour Consultant, EF Educational Tours

What's a day like in your current role?
I work with teachers across Westchester County and Long Island NY to set up travel programs and get their students out exploring the world.

How did your co-op prepare you for your current role?
Honestly, it was the perfect intro. I got a feel for what sales looks like day-to-day, plus I built up solid foundational knowledge of EF and our product. When I stepped into my full-time role, I felt confident because of how much I had already learned about sales during my co-op.

What is your favorite part of working at EF and what makes it unique?
The culture, hands down. I feel lucky that I actually have fun at work; everyone's friendly and supportive. I also love that travel is built into the job. And if you're lucky, you get to travel with another staff member, which is a great way to meet people across the company.

What drew you to apply for the co-op?
I've always wanted to work at an international company. I went to international schools growing up—all in the US, but that experience really set the stage for me. I knew I wanted a job that works across borders, and EF felt like a natural fit.

Brooke

Business Operations Co-Op → Operations Support Specialist, EF Explore America

What's a day like in your current role?
In simple terms, an Operations Support Specialist is the person who keeps all our data consistent and current for all our tours within EF Explore America. In addition, I work on projects that support the modernization journey for technology and AI.

How did your co-op prepare you for your current role?
Being able to get hands-on exposure to the product early on really shaped how I think about the work I do now, and gave me a fantastic baseline of knowledge to be successful now. But honestly, the networking side of it was just as impactful. My co-op gave me the chance to meet so many people across the company, and those connections ended up helping me land my full-time role!

What is your favorite part of working at EF and what makes it unique?
My favorite part about working at EF is the PEOPLE. We are genuinely so lucky to work for a company that is filled with such amazing people. You can feel it from the minute you step into work on your first day that this is not the typical company. It is a company of people who are genuinely nice and care so deeply about the work we do and the people we impact.

What drew you to apply for the co-op?
I was fortunate enough to study abroad my junior year of college and when I arrived home it changed my perspective and outlook on what I thought I wanted to pursue with my life. I decided I wanted to work for a company that gives people the same experiences that I was able to have. When I stumbled upon EF and all of the different opportunities we provide, I knew that it would be a great fit for me.