5 Benefits of Working Barista Jobs After College

5 Benefits of Working Barista Jobs After College5 Benefits of Working Barista Jobs After CollegeFor most college graduates, serving coffee is bedrngnis an ideal use of their degree. Still, a barista job is much better than being unemployed, and it comes with a surprising set of perks. Its a good temporary job for young and independent individuals who are transitioning from academia to the professional arena.Here are 5 reasons why you should consider becoming a barista, while you search for more substantial employmentHirable AnywhereCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world, making it a stable industry with continuous job opportunities. Many of us live in a city full of Starbucks so its no surprise that selling caffeinated drinks is a big business. Here in the U.S., third wave, or specialty coffee shops, are expanding throughout the country. Therefore, whether you get hired and trained as a corporate barista or an artisanal one, youll be able to find a job almost wherever yo u move. Brewing a tasty cup and designing fancy latte art are actually valuable and impressive skills to have, since we live in a major coffee drinking culture.Transferable ExperiencesProfessional baristas are in high demand these days and it can be a competitive industry, too. However, if youre not interested in having a career in the coffee world, youll still be able to use your entry-level caf position as a means to build up your resume working in food retail will give you sales and customer tafelgeschirr experience. As a barista, youll have the opportunity to improve your communication and social skills, as well as become a more understanding and levelheaded employee. Your temper may be tested when youre serving demanding clients or working alongside unamiable coworkers, but you can use those circumstances to develop your patience and empathy for others.Hiring managers like applicants who are capable of dealing with various types of people, and in stressful situations, without l osing their calm. They also prefer hiring employees who are either currently employed or lack noticeable gaps in their employment history. Youre almost always a more favorable applicant if youre working than if youre not.Decent Hourly WagesIts not just better than being out of work its also possible to earn decent money as a full-time barista. Many specialty coffee shops pay decent hourly wages. Of course, servers and bartenders have the potential to earn great tips during busy hours, but baristas get the better paychecks.After I finished grad school, I spent an entire year making $11/hour plus tips while working as a barista in Brooklyn, New York. I was forced to get a little frugal, defer my student loans, and occasionally depend on my credit card, but I did manage to pay the rest of my bills, while sharing a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate. However, I was very lucky not to have any major expenses or dependents relying on me financially.While the battle for a living wage con tinues, its important to recognize that, even with a relatively well-paying caf job, food service is difficult permanent career (unless youre a successful chef or restaurateur). If you can afford to take on a barista job, stay realistic but also positive by reminding yourself that its temporary and preferable to a lot of other starter jobs.Flexible ScheduleFor me, the best part about being a barista was having a more accommodating schedule than a typicaladministrative job. While many caf managers will ask for an open availability in the beginning, its possible to carve out your own personal part-time or full-time workweek after a few months. You may have to work early mornings and some weekends, but its not difficult to request off days for vacation time or switch shifts with coworkers. If youre able to create a schedule that caters to your life outside of the coffee shop, youll have time to dedicate to your creative projects or take on an internship, while continuing to search for other work.Free CoffeeAs you take the time to find your ideal profession, or consider your next major life step after college, you may as well work in a place where you get complimentary coffee Not only will you get to drink it for free, but a majority of cafs also let their employees take home free beans. Coffees shelf life is arguable, but many specialty coffee shops will pull their retail bags off the shelves after a few weeks, in order to consistently offer fresh roasted beans. Since a pound of coffee can average anywhere from $10-20, depending on the brand, getting bags for free is a sweet perk. I definitely miss bringing home free Stumptown Coffee every month.Being a barista has the potential to be a fun way to support yourself after college, as long as you dont have major expenses and remember that its just temporary. Youll get the most out of your caf position if you view it as a transitional phase in your life, where you can gain some useful professional experiences, before you find work thats more suitable for youJavaher Nooryani is a writer and editor based in Denver, CO. She has a BA in American Literature Culture from UCLA and a Masters in English American Literature from NYU. As a former tutor and advisor, Javaher is passionate about higher education and is glad to share her knowledge onCollegeFocus, a website that helps students deal with the challenges of college.