Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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should i apply? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by [deleted]
[deleted]
Lelouch_says_hi 6 points 3y ago
TLDR: Do apply, but keep an eye on your sanity levels.
In my experience, you can make an informed decision to stay or go only after 3 months. Despite the low-to-average pay, the bureaucratic issues, and some higher-ups who go on a power trip, it can actually be a nice and rewarding experience. Once fully (and properly) trained, you will be able to work in any Starbucks (or café). That being said, there will always be pressure on you, be it from your supervisor, store manager, district manager or customers. Think about 'do this faster' or 'at this location we do it this way' or 'corporate says...' Find a way to cope with that stress and it can be enjoyable--not to mention you'll get to work with amazing baristas like yourself.
At your age (and assumed lack of experience) you won't be paid as much as you deserve, so make it worth YOUR while (not worth THEIR while). This means saying 'no' every now and then (e.g. don't cover everyone's shift when they ask you). If your aim is not to grow within the company (i.e. become a supervisor, manager, etc.) there's no reason to burn yourself out.
And make no mistake, the business model is to place as few baristas as possible to generate as much profit as possible. Effectively, in order to get extra help on the floor, it may take weeks of complaining up the proverbial food chain before any changes are made/authorized.
About the things you read on Reddit, it can be cathartic to vent on social media and get the approval of fellow baristas. However, it is not an accurate representation of reality. Like the news, you mostly only see the best, the worst, and the one-sided perspectives.
Sorry for the long post. Wanted to give as much relevant information as possible.
Source: Been a supervisor for about 10 months now.
PS: There's lots of benefits for partners (depending on your area and store manager). I get free drinks, some coffee to take home every month ('mark-out'), some food. (The café als serves as a backup place for me to study.)
In my experience, you can make an informed decision to stay or go only after 3 months. Despite the low-to-average pay, the bureaucratic issues, and some higher-ups who go on a power trip, it can actually be a nice and rewarding experience. Once fully (and properly) trained, you will be able to work in any Starbucks (or café). That being said, there will always be pressure on you, be it from your supervisor, store manager, district manager or customers. Think about 'do this faster' or 'at this location we do it this way' or 'corporate says...' Find a way to cope with that stress and it can be enjoyable--not to mention you'll get to work with amazing baristas like yourself.
At your age (and assumed lack of experience) you won't be paid as much as you deserve, so make it worth YOUR while (not worth THEIR while). This means saying 'no' every now and then (e.g. don't cover everyone's shift when they ask you). If your aim is not to grow within the company (i.e. become a supervisor, manager, etc.) there's no reason to burn yourself out.
And make no mistake, the business model is to place as few baristas as possible to generate as much profit as possible. Effectively, in order to get extra help on the floor, it may take weeks of complaining up the proverbial food chain before any changes are made/authorized.
About the things you read on Reddit, it can be cathartic to vent on social media and get the approval of fellow baristas. However, it is not an accurate representation of reality. Like the news, you mostly only see the best, the worst, and the one-sided perspectives.
Sorry for the long post. Wanted to give as much relevant information as possible.
Source: Been a supervisor for about 10 months now.
PS: There's lots of benefits for partners (depending on your area and store manager). I get free drinks, some coffee to take home every month ('mark-out'), some food. (The café als serves as a backup place for me to study.)
thatsmysharpie 4 points 3y ago
Literally all of this, except
> some coffee to take home every month (‘mark-out’)
Mark-outs are weekly, not monthly.
Although considering all the other good information, I’m sure it was just a typo.
> some coffee to take home every month (‘mark-out’)
Mark-outs are weekly, not monthly.
Although considering all the other good information, I’m sure it was just a typo.
Lelouch_says_hi 1 points 3y ago
Damn, we get it monthly at my stores. Probably a region thing (Netherlands). Oh well, it's good news for OP.
thatsmysharpie 2 points 3y ago
Oh wow! I’m surprised to hear that there are different benefits in different countries. In the US and I think Canada, our coffee markouts are every week.
dodofishman 1 points 3y ago
Ooh yeah we get them each week in the US. The bags say to use within a week of opening so it's nice
deviltownV2 3 points 3y ago
tysm honestly !!! how hard would you say it is to learn all the drinks? i think the thing i’m most afraid of is not knowing how to do anything/not knowing how anything works and feeling bad because i can’t help my fellow partners. before i learn how to make things do i get other tasks around the store to help out?
Lelouch_says_hi 3 points 3y ago
There was actually someone who posted an accurate drink guide in Excel format. There may be some region-specific differences (although I think you're good if you're in the US.) Doesn't hurt to check though ;)
Here's the hero's post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starbucksbaristas/comments/hgz1gy/i_made_a_drink_guide_for_whoever_needs_it/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Here's the hero's post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starbucksbaristas/comments/hgz1gy/i_made_a_drink_guide_for_whoever_needs_it/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Lelouch_says_hi 2 points 3y ago
I was given one hour to memorize the drink codes and promptly put to work at the register. Went mostly okay. There will (or should) always be a supervisor standing by to help you out if needed. I was allowed to work the bar after a few days (under supervision, of course). Finally, after some months, I was trusted to open and close on my own. I should mention my situation was an exception, as you're supposed to get some time with a trainer first.
As you familiarize yourself with a specific location, you'll be able to work more efficiently. Same goes for the drinks. I was anxious my first week, but my colleagues were all really comforting. Besides, it is to be expected that there is a learning curve for new hires. Everybody knows that. Don't stress :)
As you familiarize yourself with a specific location, you'll be able to work more efficiently. Same goes for the drinks. I was anxious my first week, but my colleagues were all really comforting. Besides, it is to be expected that there is a learning curve for new hires. Everybody knows that. Don't stress :)
deviltownV2 1 points 3y ago
thank you so so much. this made me a lot less nervous to even apply 🥺
Lelouch_says_hi 2 points 3y ago
You're welcome. I hope you get hired!
BornLoquat9 2 points 3y ago
It depends on location. I know my region is in a current hiring freeze & is under staffed. We also don't have more hours for more partners on the floor.
sarajasim 2 points 3y ago
Yes, you should apply!! It seems shitty but I think the issues you’re seeing in this sub is more of a side effect of for a capitalistic billion dollar company than Starbucks specifically being shitty or shittier than other billion dollar corporations. Honestly any job you can get at this age is usually gonna be one working for a huge chain and they’re all gonna be equally as shitty. That’s the beauty of working a minimum wage job. It’s challenging but it’s a lot of fun and interesting and a lot of partners are students so it’s pretty flexible in that respect. The benefits are great as well. Frequent breaks (at least one ten minute break for every shift, more and a lunch if you work longer than 5.5 hours — previously I’d been working 5-8 hour shifts with no breaks whatsoever. You also get free drinks all day and a free food item). I assume you’re a senior in high school based on your age (or at least a junior) so if you decide to stay with Starbucks long term and see college as an option you can get your degree 100% paid for through Arizona State online. And if you decide to go to college on campus, transferring to a different store near where you’re going to school is very common and easy. The biggest part to me is about what your team is like. I’ve had a very good experience with my co workers and I have an amazing store manager and great shift supervisors so if you’ve got a decent team you can get along with you’ll do fine.
blahblahcapitalism 2 points 3y ago
heyyy i just got hired like a month ago and i’m still in high school. basically my two cents is (everything above, yes) but also be respectful and actually try hard. at my store, there was already a preconceived notion that i wasn’t going to be good or show up all the time because of past experiences of different partners (which i don’t blame them for at all) and by now, we have a mutual respect for each other. and like just be mindful of your surroundings and (if they hold the same views about high schoolers) just try and do your best to prove them wrong, ya know? show them ur a hard worker
overall, yes you should apply but some districts, like mine, are not hiring rn cause corona but when they do start hiring definitely apply.
overall, yes you should apply but some districts, like mine, are not hiring rn cause corona but when they do start hiring definitely apply.
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