Tell us what you do: Something different with Hannah

Have you ever wondered what creating unforgettable experiences for your coworkers would be like, from curating the office's rainy Monday playlist to filling a grocery cart full of ice cream for a surprise treat? Meet Hannah, Office Life & Events Specialist at the EF Education First Austin office. Many employee experience and office life jobs exist, but at EF, you can expect an exciting career that is truly something different.

How would you describe your job?

As the Office Life & Events Specialist for EF Austin, I try to make sure my fellow team members love working at EF and that any guest of EF feels the impact of our mission. We constantly strive to make their experience as positive as possible. Many things fall into my job description to make that happen. Still, at the end of the day, whether it's giving a new hire a welcome tour or organizing an event, my main goal is to create an environment that's fun, allows people to be their authentic selves, and is a conducive space for people learn and grow in their careers.

What does a typical day at work look like?

I start my days by opening the office, making sure everything is in tip-top shape from the front desk to the kitchen, and even matching the lobby playlist to the vibe of the day (we have come to love our Rainy Monday playlist). I greet guests, new hires, or visiting team members to ensure they are set up and ready for their day.

Then I dive into my projects! Some days, I am making a list of potential venues for our holiday party, booking site visits, and researching catering vendors. On other days, I work with a local contractor to install a new water machine. Yesterday, I ran to the grocery store, bought out a full freezer of Ben & Jerry's for an office "surprise & delight," and decorated our utility cart like an ice cream truck.

What made you apply for a job at EF?

My first experience with EF was back in 8th grade when my class went on a tour to Philadelphia & Washington D.C. Fast forward about ten years later when it came time for me to search for full-time jobs shortly after graduating college, I crossed paths with EF again.

My dad visited the EF Boston office, and he raved about how lively and vibrant it was. He noted that everyone was genuine and welcoming—everything I wanted in my ideal work environment. I immediately remembered how much I loved my experience with EF as a student and thought, how could I not at least check it out?

While browsing the EF careers site, I saw the listing for an Employee Experience Coordinator (what would become my first EF job), and I could not apply fast enough. The idea of contributing to people's first impressions of EF and helping create the culture in the office was so exciting to me and still is the biggest reason why I am passionate about what I do.

Describe EF with 3-5 adjectives.

Fun, welcoming, dynamic, creative, and mission driven.

What has been your favorite experience at EF so far?

The opportunity to open our brand-new Austin office and build our office culture alongside my manager Kelsey has been a rewarding and impactful experience for me personally and professionally. Just in the past year, I got to go on my first staff tour (and my first time in Europe!) to Portugal & Spain, celebrate EF Austin's first birthday with two-step dance lessons from a local instructor, and plan and execute our first holiday party and summer party. I'm about to go to the EF Global Leadership Summit.

However, my favorite memory was hosting Employee Appreciation Day in full gameshow host garb, handing out treats and prizes, and playing games throughout the day. The pure laughter we got from team members walking into the office is why I do what I do.

What, in your opinion, makes your job unique?

While many people work with customers outside of the EF offices, I take pride in the fact that a key part of my role is to make the EF employee experience great. As my career evolves and grows, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with more community members, customers, and global staff as well. I could not do what I do without the ideas, feedback, and support of my colleagues, who contribute to our office's success and push me to continue to improve.

Any advice for someone joining EF?

Lean into the entire experience, be bold, and branch out and get to know people outside your immediate team. It is natural to want to stick with your start class initially, but making connections and understanding other sides of the business will enrich your overall experience in the long run.