Recently, the TalentEgg team was able to sit down with Suzanne Caniglia, a National Sales Manager for Independent Schools with Education First Tours (EF Tours). Our goal was to determine what makes a sales position at EF Tours different from a traditional sales job. We learned that a career in sales with EF Tours is like no other sales job! It is filled with exciting opportunities for professional development and opportunities to work and connect with others across the globe. It’s a perfect career for anyone seeking a challenge and fresh global experiences.
The Impact of Sales at EF Tours
Suzanne works with schools in her role. According to her, one of the highlights is the variety of clients she has been able to work with along the way. The EF Tours sales process can be long and complex, but that is a benefit for Suzanne. It allows her to cultivate many relationships across different areas of business. Suzanne travels to schools across the world, meeting students, parents and teachers in her role. Suzanne believes that travelling forages friendships for life, and the relationships she’s made during her time at EF Tours have been incredible. But that’s not all; Suzanne and EF Tours’ impact on the students who utilize their programs is powerful.
“The driving force that has kept me here for 14 years is helping students become more globally minded, independent and confident through travel. You hear all the time that kids’ confidence is down and anxiety is high and it’s amazing to see what these trips can do for these kids going forward and better preparing them for the future.”
– Suzanne Caniglia
The Skill Set Needed for EF Tours Sales
When we asked Suzanne how young professionals can set themselves up for success in a sales career with EF Tours, she explains that grit is the most important attribute someone can have. Because the sales process can be long and strenuous, there will ultimately be plenty of rejections. However, having the passion and perseverance to push through is crucial. Being able to network where appropriate, having an open mind and really leaning in and trusting the sales process are other assets that Suzanne found helpful in achieving the position she is in today.
As for skills she has picked up at EF Tours, Suzanne’s hunter mentality and organizational skills have been some of the most important. The hunter mentality allows her to maintain focus during the sales process and detect opportunities to really drive growth. The organizational skills keep her time management in check and allow her always to know what her next step is.
Opportunities at EF Tours
EF Tours is a global organization focused on student experiences through travel. This unique position allows EF Tours to offer its employees opportunities that other companies can’t. When Suzanne moved into her National Sales role, it was a new market that EF Tours had not focused on before. This allowed her to become a true trailblazer in her organization, and she was able to see the company grow in this new market due to her work, grit and innovation.
As with many large organizations, EF Tours provides plenty of opportunities for professional development and employee benefits. EF Tours sends its employees to conferences across industries to learn the most current trends from the best. These conferences allow plenty of networking opportunities across both the tourism and educational industries. There is training for public speaking and other soft skills that will improve your resourcefulness as an employee. EF Tours also offers a unique experience through their Discovery Tours which allow their teams worldwide to network and travel between their locations as they work. Not many organizations can provide experiences like these!
One high point for Suzanne was when she was able to attend the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge in France. An event like this, commemorating a historical Canadian moment on a global stage, allowed Suzanne to feel like part of history. It was an experience she doesn’t think she ever would have had if it wasn’t for EF Tours.
“Being a part of certain events like the hundredth anniversary of Vimy Ridge was such a monumental moment, at least for me to be part of history. I think if I haven’t worked for EF I never would have been able to be a part of history like that.”
– Suzanne Caniglia
From our interview with Suzanne, it is easy to see how a career in sales with EF Tours can be a dynamic, fulfilling and rewarding career filled with professional opportunities and exciting experiences. Mixing travel and education with an impactful career is rare, but with EF Tours, you can do it!