People always talk about their passions in life. It is said that in order to feel like your life has meaning, you must be doing something you are passionate about. I never really understood this until I started working for Starbucks.

From the moment I began my very first shift on bar, I realized that I was in love with the coffee culture. I had always been a coffee drinker of course, as well as a loyal customer to the company for many years but what I felt as I created my very first latte was something completely out of this world.

I fell in love with crafting the perfect cup. Coffee became my art; lattes were my medium. I began researching, learning the history of the different blends we offered, deciphering the differences between the bolder, richer beans and the sharper, floral ones. Over time I began to realize that Starbucks did more than just sell coffee. It sold a community.

I began practicing more and more, struggling to produce something I would be proud of. I was never an artist, so it was especially difficult for me and sometimes I thought about giving up. Then finally, on a day when the steam wands began to behave particularly well, I created my very first foam leaf. The sounds of joy that escaped me were not of this world. I had never been more excited in my life. The only thing was, I began to crave more.

I watched videos that taught me the basics on certain shapes and learning how to make hearts and swans in the foam became my favorite pastime. When I wasn't at work, I read books about the evolution of modern coffee, talking about it to anyone that would pretend to care enough to listen. Eventually, I discovered the Coffee Master certification and I knew I had to have it. Becoming a Coffee Master consumed my entire being and I realized that this, creating and perfecting the art of coffee, is what I am destined to do.

Its weird to think how something as little as a coffee bean could inspire me to change my entire career path in life. I always knew my passion in life was to help people and its something I strive to do on a daily basis. But through this company, I learned that sometimes the best way to help someone is by helping them appreciate the little things in life. I recently became a Certified Barista and eventually, I hope to don the black apron of the Coffee Masters, joining the ranks of those baristas who came before me.