By: Courtney Gillen
Baristas have special characteristics that develop over years of exposure to coffee grounds, hot liquids, and overdoses of caffeine. Having been one myself throughout college in a fast paced city like Chicago, you quickly learn its sink or swim, and those who swim make the best communications professionals. While some of us are perceived to be as bitter as your burnt cup of Joe or serve up a side of sarcasm, we’re built with killer skills that will make you think twice about the resume that lists “barista”.
Nothing Scares You
By nature, you’re paraded with everything from scalding hot liquids flying at you to customers screaming because their latte doesn’t “smell” like nonfat (true story). Over time you come out from behind the bar with battle wounds and barista war stories. Some of these stories may frighten you, and these are the ones that make baristas well equipped to handle things like a client meltdown, talking individuals down from a place of hysteria or being berated in meetings or by media. Ultimately, being behind the coffee bar builds some pretty thick skin and makes otherwise daunting situations a Tuesday morning. Baristas. Fear. Nothing.
They Can Function At All Hours of the Day
Most jobs don’t require you to be a walking, talking, functioning human being outside the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., this doesn’t apply if you’re a barista. Waking up at 3 a.m. for opening shifts or battling through the dreaded graveyard shifts (sometimes back to back) quickly make you immune to all concept of time. As a communications professional, you often have obligations at unorthodox hours- a morning segment with a 4 a.m. arrival to an opening or event that takes you through the night and into the early hours and expected at your desk the next morning (there’s work to be done!). Not to mention that as a PR professional or journalist, you’re on call 24/7, so you better believe the associate who used to be a barista will be alert and ready on the front lines when they’re called on. Added bonus: Baristas will already have a pot of coffee made when the rest of the platoon comes straggling in.
You Know What To Drink For That Kick
Some mornings you can make it through the day with a Green Tea Latte or a Misto, others you need a Trenta Iced Black Eye. Not understanding the necessity of caffeine compared to your drink’s caffeine level can result in you wanting to sleep under your desk or hop around the office with uncontrollable shakes- both end with headaches. Being in the communications field doesn’t necessarily require you to know these things, but it helps to not have a headache 24/7 and it’s always nice to have the in-agency council of what’s good/needed from the coffee shop. I mean, could it hurt?
The Yoda of Communications
Interacting with customers for 8 hours a day nonstop forces one to become a skilled communicator and people reader whether they want to or not. As a barista, you become the Yoda of everything from small talk, deciphering people, being an unlicensed therapist, tone of voice, word choice, etc. based off a few moments of interaction to get a sought outcome. When it comes to the communications field, these are key skills that the ex-barista in your office will be a pro at. They know how to give it to you straight when you need it, but they also know how to make the perfect bone-dry cappuccino when you’re feeling down.
