1. It’s more than just coffee.
Starbucks as a company strives to create a community atmosphere. Their whole goal is to be the middle place between work and home where you not only can meet up with a friend for coffee but also build a friendly relationship with the baristas. In fact, their mission statement itself is “to inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup, one neighborhood at a time.”
2. You are a “partner;” not an employee .
I cannot stress enough the value of working as a team in such a fast-paced, but also friendly environment. It takes a tight ship to keep things moving quickly, smoothly, and cleanly. Starbucks knows this and appreciates their partners with a positive work environment, and along with it comes some great benefits.
3. Expect the best from people.
Starbucks’s policy takes “the customer is always right” to another level. In order to create the unique barista-friend relationship, the barista must always trust the customer’s honesty. For example, say a customer says they ordered a drink and a pastry but you only heard them order a drink, just trust the customer and give them their dang croissant.
4. There is always something to be done.
Baristas are badass multitaskers. Your fellow partners are always there to answer your questions, wipe up a spill, and help you out in any way they can.
5. There's no "I" in "barista. "
Well I mean… you get the point. I cannot stress enough the importance of teamwork behind the counter. I actually enjoy my job because, while there are positions higher than my own, managers and shift supervisors get on their hands and knees and scrub the floors and counters with me. The environment proves to be one of the most positive atmospheres; it’s one where questions are encouraged and mistakes can be fixed. My coworkers are more than just that -- they’re also my friends, and what’s better than working with your friends?
6. It's not "fast food coffee."
Most people get their same caramel macchiato or iced coffee every day, but Starbucks offers many crafted and customizable options. If you know how to order right, you could get artisan espresso.
7. It's more than just a job.
Being a barista is a lifestyle honestly. I am constantly critiquing customer service and beverage artistry everywhere I go. I also have a new appreciation for my baristas and tip—every time. It’s something I enjoy so much that I catch myself identifying as a barista as much as I do a girl.
8. There's such a thing as a Starbucks standard.
Neatness and positivity are just two of the things set in the Starbucks standard that make it such an effective system. Partners are taught beverage repeatables on bar in order to multitask at a quick pace but still stay consistent in their craft.
9. Don't cry over spilled milk.
Work with haste, especially on bar. If you spill while pouring or scooping, it’s no biggie. Someone has your back, and you gotta finish your drink. I started out being very careful with my ice and my whipped cream. With time, you get faster and neater, but the main thing in the beginning is to work with haste because morning people are not the most patient.
10. Coffee junkies are real.
It’s cool to see the regular customers, and after awhile, you start to remember their names and their orders. It’s almost like you look forward to seeing them. Chit chat with the customers is one of my favorite things to do because having the opportunity to connect with people and make an impact on their day is a privilege, really, and I look forward to meeting new people.
