From Tour Consultant to product president: Shane’s EF Journey
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Each month in our main office hubs, EF Education First hosts a series of professional development series called “Bricks,” which provide staff with opportunities to hear from senior leaders. Whether it’s navigating a career path or learning how to use LinkedIn professionally, employees can guarantee they’ll come away with solid advice about working at EF.
This month, EF Educational Tours President Shane Steffens spoke about his journey through EF Educational Tours, where he’s been for his entire EF career. EF Educational Tours works with high school teachers to bring their high school students abroad, everywhere from Costa Rica to Spain.
“I consider myself a unicorn,” Shane joked, acknowledging it’s rare these days for someone to spend their entire career with one company.
Born in Chicago, Shane grew up in the Midwest but was always fascinated by the prospect of travel. His childhood bedroom was papered with National Geographic clippings of far-off destinations, but it wasn’t until his junior year in college that he traveled abroad for the first time for a study abroad program. He described the experience as “life-changing;” for someone who has always wanted to travel, living abroad was a really big deal.
After graduating, Shane wasn’t sure what his next step would be, but he couldn’t shake the travel bug. He eventually found himself in Boston—to him, the most European city in America—where he saw an ad for a job with EF Educational Tours in the newspaper. Shane decided to apply for the Tour Consultant role, and his first thought after finishing his interview was: “If I don’t get this job, my life is over.” He immediately felt at home with the people, the building, and the position and knew he just had to be a part of EF.
Lucky for Shane, he was offered the job at EF—and was sent on a staff tour his first day on the job. Staff tours provide an opportunity for employees to see what the tour experience is like, while being able to meet with students, travelers and Group Leaders face-to-face. Since then, Shane has moved up the EF ladder, experiencing a number of different initiatives within Educational Tours and EF. At 27, he and his team designed the CRM system, and in 2007 he helped open the EF Denver office.
“You own the things you work on,” he said, which allowed him the opportunities he found (and sought out). Shane also credits his success with his all-in attitude and desire to embrace the EF culture. “I really took the core values and open office idea to heart. I believed in the system and the people.”
Now, Shane sits as the President of Tours for North America, which—so far—is the culmination of his 18 years at EF. “EF represents me as much as it represents my colleagues,” Shane said.
As far as parting words of advice, Shane said it all comes down to having passion for what you do. “Love who you work with, love the mission, love what you do every day.”
Interested in opening the world with us? Visit careers.ef.com .
Best things to see and do in Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. It’s rich and complex history is a constant reminder of its strategic position between Europe and Asia and makes it one of the cities you should visit once in your life. In terms of the many iconic landmarks, the delicious cuisine, and the characteristic, colorful architecture it has, Moscow is full of surprises for first-timers and seasoned travelers. Apart from the main attractions, it has like the Kremlin or Red Square, Moscow has many hidden gems for you to discover on your free walking tour with your local guide.
On any of the free guided tours we offer in Moscow , you will be able to find a selection of many tours which are available in different languages and at different times of day, like the morning, afternoon, and evening. Since Moscow is such a large metropolis, getting your bearings by doing a guruwalk with a local guide who will show you all Moscow’s hidden gems is a great idea. This way you get to learn as much as possible about the local culture and way of life. A trip to Moscow wouldn't be complete without visiting iconic places like St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, or the State Historical Museum, before getting some fresh air at Gorky Park, the medieval church of Kolomenskoye, or shopping at Izmailovsky Market. Don’t miss visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Bolshoi Theater, or checking out the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve.
Many travelers have left their r eviews and opinions about the local guides , gurus, and the routes they walked. If you have any questions about the routes or what is included in the tour, check out their opinions.
Free walking tour near Moscow
Others cities to visit after moscow, where are you traveling to.
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The epicenter of modern Russia, Moscow booms with shiny new skyscrapers, the bulbous onion domes of the tsars and politically-rich Red Square. Explore the metropolis with a tourHQ guide.
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Hi there! My name is Marina and I'm a licensed Moscow city guide.Moscow is like ...
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Dear friends,My name is Maria, I am a licensed guide about Moscow. Being a native Muscovite I have ...
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The sprawling, mind-boggling metropolis of Russian Moscow has long been one of the theatrical stages on which the great dramas of Europe and Asia have been played out in grand style. Burned by Napoleon in 1812, immortalised by Tolstoy, utilised by the Bolsheviks and championed as a bastion of heroic defiance by the post-war communists, it’s almost hard to believe just how defining the historical events that found their home on Moscow’s streets have been. Moscow tour guides will easily be able to mark the major must-see landmarks on the map, from the onion-domed orthodox Saint Basil's Cathedral, to the political powerhouse of Red Square just next door, while others will be quick to recommend a ride on Moscow’s famous subterranean metro system, or a visit to the UNESCO-attested Novodevichy Convent on the city’s southern side. But Moscow is a city also in the throes of a cultural wrangling between the old and the new. Creative energies abound here: Boho bars and pumping super clubs now occupy the iconic mega structures of the old USSR; high-fashion outlets, trendy shopping malls and luxurious residential districts stand as testimony to a city that’s now the undisputed playground of the world’s super-rich, while sprawling modern art museums dominate the cultural offering of the downtown districts north of the Moskva River.
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How it works
Perspective-shifting, life-changing, teacher-approved travel.
EF helps teachers change their students’ lives through educational travel. And frankly, EF does student travel better than anyone else. Our secret sauce? A time-tested blend of product innovation, global and national expertise, and superhuman support.
When students travel on EF tours, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures. And when educators lead these tours, they grow in countless ways, bringing back a new perspective to their own classroom.
You get personalized support. We make the whole process easy. Your students get the trip of a lifetime. (That’s the gist—but we’ll walk you through everything.)
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Ensuring the safety of your group is our biggest priority. No matter the situation, we have the experience and presence to take care of it.
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Parents, we know you have tons of questions. (It’d be strange if you didn’t.) We’re here to answer all of them—and to make sure you’re just as excited about your child’s tour as they are.
Students aren’t the only ones who benefit from travel. Read how our educational tours impact teachers—both personally and professionally.
It's not just where you travel, it's who you travel with.
Whether you're planning your first tour or building upon an existing program at your school, choosing the right partner is an essential part of a successful student travel experience. Still weighing your options? Download our checklist for a list of questions we suggest posing to any potential partner.
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We’ll match you with an EF Tour Consultant who’s an expert on your region and on building travel programs at schools like yours.
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The Educational Tour Consultant role is one of the most popular positions at EF in North America, and it's part of EF's comprehensive Entrepreneurial Sales Development Program. Tour Consultants, or TCs as they're known around the office, have ownership over a specific geographic territory in the United States and build their business how ...
The best part of any EF tour is having an insightful, culturally connected Tour Director with you every step of the way. Beyond sharing local insight and hidden gems, they're true directors in that they'll take care of your group from the moment you clear customs to the last hug goodbye. From hotel check-ins to route navigation, they handle ...
Between your Tour Consultant, your EF Experience Specialist, and the rest of the EF team, we're here to make sure everything goes smoothly —both before and during your tour. We'll handle all of the logistics and we'll work with parents and students directly to answer any of their tour questions. That means instead of planning and ...
Your personal EF Travel Team consists of your Tour Consultant and EF Experience Specialist—two experts that will basically become your new best friends. Each one has a specialized skill set, but their overall goal is the same: making sure you get individualized support and have the absolute best tour ever.
Between your Tour Consultant and the rest of the EF team, we're here to make sure everything goes smoothly—both before and during your tour. We'll handle all of the logistics and we'll work with parents and students directly to answer any of their tour questions. That means instead of planning and handling every single detail yourself ...
This month, EF Educational Tours President Shane Steffens spoke about his journey through EF Educational Tours, where he's been for his entire EF career. Menu. Home. Welcome to EF. ... Shane decided to apply for the Tour Consultant role, and his first thought after finishing his interview was: "If I don't get this job, my life is over." ...
When students travel on EF tours, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures. And when educators lead these tours, they grow in countless ways, bringing back a new perspective to their own classroom. Tour planning.
Tour Consultant professionals rate their compensation and benefits at EF Education First with 2.5 out of 5 stars based on 301 anonymously submitted employee reviews. This is 11.3% worse than the company average rating for salary and benefits. Find out more about Tour Consultant salaries and benefits at EF Education First.
The estimated total pay range for a Tour Consultant at EF Education First is $64K-$110K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Tour Consultant base salary at EF Education First is $57K per year. The average additional pay is $26K per year, which could include cash bonus, stock, commission, profit sharing or tips.
Here at EF, support isn't one-size-fits-all. There's our on-the-ground presence in 114 countries (that's the big, sweeping kind). But there's also the team we build around every teacher who leads an educational tour with us. From day one, you can lean on your EF people for the kind of one-to-one support that'll make a huge difference ...
Posted 11:56:57 AM. Location: Austin, TXStart Date: June 11, 2024Your Opportunity:As a Tour Consultant, you'll oversee…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.
Every EF Group Leader has a Tour Consultant dedicated specifically to their tour—someone who is an expert at tour planning and promotion. We understand that each school is different, which is why we don't take a one-size-fits-all approach to enrolling students. In partnership with your Tour Consultant, you will create a promotion plan that ...
Educational Tour Consultant. Entrepreneurial Sales Development Program at EF Educational Tours. Boston, Massachusetts. September 2021 start date. Open your mind, pack your bags, and join us at EF Educational Tours as we revolutionize the educational travel industry and transform students into the next generation of global citizens.
We bottled some of this event's magic in our student Summit video recap. He gives the best guided tours of Spain —and he inspired his family to become local guides, too. Hundreds of destinations. Endless possibilities. EF Educational Tours offers student tours at the lowest prices guaranteed. Learn why teachers and parents choose EF for ...
Customized Tour. The experience of a lifetime is waiting for you. Every detail from the cities you'll stay in to the cultural discoveries you'll make have been customized by your teacher for your group. Take a look at your personal itinerary for a sneak peek of what's in store. The itinerary for this tour is still being finalized.
Tour Consultant Interview. I applied online. I interviewed at EF Education First. The process was basic starting with a small conversation over the phone with HR. Questions were typical like describe yourself, confrontations at jobs, etc. Then there was a skype interview which lasted a little less than an hour.
On any of the free guided tours we offer in Moscow, you will be able to find a selection of many tours which are available in different languages and at different times of day, like the morning, afternoon, and evening. Since Moscow is such a large metropolis, getting your bearings by doing a guruwalk with a local guide who will show you all ...
Tell us your destination, date, and group size. Our team of travel experts and guides will design a tailored itinerary just for you. Enjoy your trip with peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of. The epicenter of modern Russia, Moscow booms with shiny new skyscrapers, the bulbous onion domes of the tsars and politically-rich Red Square.
A time-tested blend of product innovation, global and national expertise, and superhuman support. When students travel on EF tours, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures. And when educators lead these tours, they ...
Create your perfect combo. Take exploring to a whole new level and move your adventure to the water with our City Sightseeing Moscow River Cruise. You'll get a great view of the whole city as we travel down the Vodootvodny canal. You have the option of combining your Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with the Boat Tour or you can just purchase your River ...
Price per person. 641,69. View details. About the tour Reviews 10. 8 days / 7 nights. St. Petersburg Moscow. We offer you a unique opportunity to visit Russia's two largest cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg. This fascinating, week-long tour will take you to the historic Russian capitals that have always played the most important part in the ...