Not worth it unless you need the benefits and have a side job that makes up for the shit pay. they will work you until you burn out for as little money as they can pay you. Promises of a raise, but even if it does pan out, it's only a couple cents more. High turnover. Feeling like a body, like you're replaceable. Disrespected every day by entitled customers. Panic attacks, spilled drinks, always sticky from syrup. "I want a refund/remake" heard every day for as long as you work there. 57 cent tips. Understaffed. Being on one position alllll day. MAkE tHe mOmENt rIgHt- the life of a former starbucks barista.

I worked at relatively slow store with an amazing, tight knit team.. I loved being on bar, it’s a great feeling once you get the hang of the recipes and you get into a flow of making drinks esp. when it gets busy, it’s a powerful feeling! I studied recipes online and made flash cards (maybe overboard for some people but I had crazy anxiety about being new and wanted to integrate myself asap! It paid off, was offered a shift position in 4 months).

I would say the non monetary benefits were what was worth it for me.. I applied in the midst of a depression, just looking for something to get me out of my house.. It’s extremely social work and gave me a lot of confidence from positive interactions with customers and being appreciated by my partners. Free coffee beans, drinks, playing with recipes is fun and a great environment to bond with people. I loved supporting whoever was on shift (tip: proactively do extra work like cleaning and restocking, asking questions to learn about the duties - you’ll get a good reputation and it will make the environment better)

The down side: definitely entitled, rude customers. Especially men.. particularly older white men were the repeat offenders at my location. Sexual harassment / unwanted attention imo a major issue at my store / in food service in general (if you google the Cosmo article on Starbucks barista sexual harassment you’ll see.. they’re worst case scenario stories but it does happen, so best to mentally prepare to stand up for yourself).

Customers are also the best part of the job, we had a lot of regulars that you develop relationships with and it’s an amazing feeling to be part of a community, remembering their orders with time. And that’s really all it is, give yourself time to adjust! There’s a lot to learn and everyone’s overwhelmed at first. Don’t get sucked into negativity / drama, have a strong work ethic and good attitude.. it’s a fun place to work!

It’s great except for when it’s not

it 100% depends on your manager and coworkers. i’m super lucky to have a supportive manager and awesome coworkers, but i know a lot of other baristas don’t. if i was in your situation, i would say go up to the store(s) you applied to and just sit and watch the interactions between baristas, between baristas and managers, etc. i did this before i got hired, and i doubled down on trying to get hired at the store i felt had the best atmosphere and interactions. best of luck :))

Sorry about the negativity...but gonna be realistic. Been here since October and trying to find a new job :/ The only benefits in my opinion are getting full timer benefits at 20 hours a week, and not having to work 8+ hour shifts (which for some isn’t a good thing, but I prefer shorter shifts). But the amount of hours I get each week are all over the place...one week could be 19, the next 26. It’s totally based on labor. Pay sucks. Worst thing about this job in my opinion is the freaking pressure of customer connections! It’s absurd! You’re expected to be asking people there whole life story just in the drive thru! But it’s never enough! Your manager will always be on you about connections, but at the same time you have to have amazing drive thru times! In my previous job I was just expected to say hello and be polite and that was it. Also Starbucks seems to have some of the rudest customers on the planet. SO entitled over stupid drinks. I’ve literally cried at work, never did that elsewhere. And I’m not the only one. I recommend applying elsewhere honestly. Especially if benefits aren’t important to you right now. I’ve learned the hard way that it’s best to stay away from food service jobs in general!!

So far I’ve enjoyed it, though I’m only two months in so that could change. I personally feel it’s a really cool job to have and experience to gain. I’ve learned a lot about coffee that I never even knew existed and it’s let me branch out on trying new things. The customer interactions are also so much fun (except for Karen’s, but it’s customer service so you’re going to deal with it, and you will live) My store genuinely has a lot of amazing regulars and customers and it’s helped me a lot with being socially awkward. I’ve started becoming really good at making small conversations and just overall being a now very talkative person! You’re going to have good and bad days, but at the end of the day like everyone at my store says: it’s just coffee. Nothing more or less. This job has given me a lot in the last two months that I am so grateful for.