Barista

As a barista, you would:

• prepare the premises or outlet ready for opening
• welcome customers, take orders and process payments
• prepare and serve coffees, hot snacks, sandwiches and cakes
• clean and tidy work areas, equipment and coffee machines
• check and order new stock

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to sell products and services
• the ability to work on your own
• excellent verbal communication skills
• a good memory
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly
• training with a professional body

With experience, you could become a store manager, then regional manager, with a coffee retail chain or franchise.

There may also be opportunities to move into:

• barista staff training
• equipment maintenance
• coffee tasting and buying
• product development and marketing.

You could become self-employed and open your own coffee shop