Toast Careers

This year, Megan H. completed a co-op on Toast’s Employer Brand team. Through her work, she helped tell the Toast story to candidates around the world and share our culture with future applicants. If you’ve followed us on Instagram or read other blog posts here, you’ve probably seen Megan’s incredible work in action!

Learn more about Megan’s co-op experience below!

Why did you decide to join Toast?

I had a genuine desire to be part of a company whose values aligned with the beliefs I live by. I wanted the opportunity to do meaningful work and to make a real impact. When I looked into Toast’s mission and the values that the company lives by every day, I felt inspired, it immediately resonated with me. That inspiration turned into a strong motivation to join Toast and contribute to a team that’s actively working toward something I deeply believe in.

How was your interview process and what helped you prepare?

The interview process was both smooth and encouraging. I went through one phone screen, two Zoom interviews, and one in-person interview. With each conversation, my desire to work at Toast grew stronger. Every person I spoke with was not only genuine but also genuinely interested in my background and the work I had done prior to Toast. That made the entire process feel less intimidating and more like a two-way conversation.

To prepare, I focused on the job description and responsibilities outlined for the role, and then thought carefully about how my past experiences could directly support the team and contribute to Toast’s goals. Instead of over-preparing answers, I concentrated on aligning my experiences with what the team was looking for and that ultimately gave me the confidence I needed going into each conversation.

What were your first impressions during your initial days on the job?

From my very first day, it felt like I had been working at Toast for years. There was such a strong sense of belonging, it immediately felt like a home away from home. The office was energetic, and the people were incredibly welcoming. No matter who I spoke to, whether it was someone from my own team, a senior leader, or someone in an entirely different department, the kindness, curiosity, and empathy were consistent.

My early days were full of learning. I found myself soaking up knowledge from every conversation and every project, trying to absorb as much as I could from the people around me. That eagerness to learn was met with equal eagerness from others to teach, which made the transition feel seamless. Overall, the energy and kindness I felt during my initial days on the job stayed consistent through my eight month co-op. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience.

What opportunities did you get to participate in outside of your day-to-day responsibilities?

One of the things that stood out to me about my co-op was the chance to get involved beyond just my daily projects. I was able to help host a 20+ person event with one of our vendors, which gave me great experience in event planning and cross-functional collaboration. I also had the opportunity to host an AMA with a member of the leadership team, which was an amazing way to learn directly from leadership and sharpen my skills in facilitating engaging conversations.

Beyond those events, I really immersed myself in the culture at Toast. Getting involved with Toast.org was especially meaningful to me. I attended philanthropic events that not only underscored Toast’s commitment to giving back but also aligned with my own values and made the experience even more fulfilling.

I also joined several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that made me feel even more connected to the community here. For example, during just my second week, I attended a ToastHER workshop focused on mental health in the workplace. That conversation was eye-opening, and it showed me early on that Toast is serious about fostering inclusion, support, and open dialogue.

All of these experiences gave me a chance not only to grow professionally, but also to see how Toast’s culture comes to life in everyday interactions. 

How did this co-op influence your career goals or interests?

From day one, Toast made it clear that being a co-op wasn’t just about filling a role — it was about gaining experience, exploring, and growing. That then gave me the freedom to approach projects with curiosity and a willingness to try new things, knowing that the goal was to learn as much as possible.

This perspective influenced how I now view my career path. It truly showed me that the right workplace not only values the work you deliver but also invests in your personal and professional development. It made me more intentional about the kind of company culture and mission I want to be a part of in the future.

What’s the most valuable lesson you learned?

The biggest lesson I’ll carry forward is this: never underestimate the impact that a project, or a person, can have on you. Some of the projects I worked on taught me lessons I didn’t expect to learn, and the people I collaborated with left lasting impressions on me both personally and professionally.

I came into this experience hoping to contribute and grow, but I left realizing how much of an impact others had on me in the process. This mutual exchange of growth and support is something I’ll continue to look for in every role I take on moving forward.