As I was doing college transfer orientations over this past spring and summer, I saw that the Starbucks on campus was looking to hire baristas for the upcoming fall semester. I knew that I wanted to work while I was going to school so that I would be able to have money and start becoming independent. Once I got home from orientation that day, I filled the application out and kept my fingers crossed.

One morning when I was on vacation at the end of July, I received a call from a phone number that was registered in the Kutztown area. I answered and on the other end of the line was the hiring manager of the Starbucks, asking if I had time to do a phone interview. About an hour later, I was offered the position and gladly accepted! I was so happy that this opportunity worked out, and I was looking forward to what the future would bring.

Because I had no previous experience with the Starbucks franchise before, I was required to go through 40 hours of basic barista training. This gave me the opportunity to move into my dorm room two weeks earlier than the typical move-in date, which was a little lonely, but I got to know the campus well! I was in a group with 2 other girls (which then became just me and one other girl), and we learned all about Starbucks as a company, including its origins, values, and standards. Then, the harder part of the training began: having to memorize all of the drink codes, routines, and the responsibilities of each role that we could “play” during any given shift. I’ll be the first to admit that there were days I didn’t think I was going to be able to handle it, but with support and encouragement from my parents, friends, and boyfriend I kept going on this journey.

This past week was my first official week as a Starbucks employee, and I honestly couldn’t be happier! Yes, there are times in the day when the line goes all the way back to the door of the building, and it seems impossible. But, in situations like these, whoever is working during the shift teams up and takes care of each other! It’s honestly more like a family than everyone just being co-workers. We mess around with each other, we tease, but we do it all while getting our work done and making sure we give equal attention to each customer and build a relationship with them. Because we’re in a college environment, we have students who are daily “regulars.” We also get people who are having their first Starbucks experience and are asking their friends what they should get. One thing that we put a lot of importance on is getting everyone’s name, not only for calling out drinks, but to establish that relationship.

I still have more to learn about the foundations of building drinks, but I’m having a lot of fun! As my manager says, “Starbucks is just a bunch of coffee nuts getting together and sharing our love for coffee!”