For this week, I’ve decided to share why you should become a Starbucks barista. While there are many reasons being a barista is great, my top three are definitely the benefits, atmosphere, and coworkers. So, I’m going to share with you why they are so great, and maybe even persuade you to leave your current job (if you have one).

1. Benefits!!

This is one of the biggest reasons to get a job at Starbucks, because the benefits that we receive are phenomenal! For starters, starting thirty minutes prior to and ending thirty minutes after a shift you receive unlimited free drinks and one free food item. During the pandemic, Starbucks also extended this benefit to one free drink and one free food item on the days that you do not work, and have extended it indefinitely. To add to the free items, you get one pound of free coffee every week, and you can receive a free college education from ASU’s online programs. Also, on the drinks and food that you buy that aren’t part of your free markouts, you get a 30% discount on them as well as any Starbucks merchandise like cups. Tips are also something we receive weekly, and if you work a lot, you’ll receive a good amount in tips – I worked nearly forty hours one week this summer and received sixty or so dollars in tips. In addition to these wonderful benefits, you can receive health, dental, and vision insurance if you work more than twenty hours every week, and partners can start a 401K whenever they choose. Lastly, the CEO gifts each partner stocks at the end of every year which is why they call baristas “partners” since most own shares in the company.

Starbucks can be a busy and stressful job, but with all of the benefits and other perks like holiday parties and “wear your pajamas to work days” and such, everything balances out.

2. Atmosphere

I’ve been at my job for over a year now, and I can say that it has been the best job that I have ever had. The atmosphere is very warm and welcoming to anyone who decides to join our team of baristas. Most baristas start out with a trainer to learn the basics, so you at least start to get to know them and any other new baristas in training. After trainers, you will bounce around to other baristas to finish up any further training that is needed, if needed. This gives newer baristas a chance to get to know other baristas in the store, ask them questions, and learn more about anything they still need help with. After a while, you’ll get to know everyone in the store, and while Starbucks does hire to fill their positions, they tend to hire people with similar personality traits so that most everyone gets along well.

There has never been any hostility in my store, although I can’t vouch for other stores. The only time anything big happens is if someone is fired, and there is always proper cause like stealing, which has only happened once in my time there. Most of the time everything is smooth sailing, and I’ve never dreaded going to work because of the good environment.

3. Coworkers

Personally, my coworkers are what keep me coming back to work each day with a smile, and it is the biggest reason for me to continue working at Starbucks. Once you find your place at Starbucks and your schedules begin to become more predictable with shifts, you will most likely work with the same people frequently. This happened for me: I’m considered “night crew” because I only work night shifts and closing shifts (even though I used to work mornings on the weekends). As I became a “night crew” barista, I worked with the same people over and over again, but we soon became close. My coworkers are some of my greatest friends, and we keep in touch through group chats, playing games together, “family zooms” to check up on partners who left, and even hanging out outside of work. Here’s some of our fun moments inside and outside of work:

Graduation Photos

One of several brunches

Aaron Throwing Ice

Bagel Baseball

We do consider ourselves to be like a little family. I know this may not be true for all stores, but mine certainly has given me hope that there would be similar circumstances at others. If you don’t want to risk it though, just apply to my store on North Atherton St. if you’re on campus or commute!

I hope this gave a little insight into why I love my job, and maybe help you if you’re looking for one. Additionally, if you ever have any questions about Starbucks, whether it be drinks or about my job, feel free to email me at anj5273@psu.edu. Thank you so much for reading, and stay tuned for next week when I disclose some of our barista’s go-to drinks!