Making The Dream A Reality
Today’s Flashback Friday is all about my life as a barista. I spent five years working as a barista on and off, at several Starbucks locations and locally owned cafes.
Starbucks was the second job I ever had, hired the summer before grade 12. I’m told I was hired because I gave the most creative descriptions they’d ever heard during the coffee tasting at the interview. Apparently not all 17-year-olds use the term “youthful” to describe an acidic mild roast.
I soaked up the coffee knowledge I was taught during training. I loved the smells, sounds and people of the cafe. I looked forward to helping people find a drink that suited them juuust right. I thrived during those busy December Saturdays when I was churning out drinks at warp speed. I was in my element.
I moved away after high school to live in my small university city with my then boyfriend. I had no plans of attending university. Instead, I worked full-time at the Starbucks, where I quickly climbed the ladder. Eventually I was managing the place at the age of 18.
But I was eventually drawn to university, I felt like it was the next logical step in life. I mean, it’s what people do, right? So I started taking classes on top of my work schedule. Eventually I was sucked into the lure of journalism, and before I knew it, I was in J-School.
Once in J-School, I was hounded by professors telling me what I had to do to be a successful journalist. It’s a competitive business and there were many expectations and pressure on me to succeed. Apparently I’m a “natural,” or at least have a good voice for radio :P
I continued to work at Starbucks during the school year. But it eventually got too stressful to keep up with my school schedule. So I said goodbye to my second home, and the place where I met some of the best people I know.
I landed a part-time gig at a local radio station in my second year. To make ends meet, I started working at locally owned cafes in the summers. I loved the looser structure of these cafes – and the welcome addition of panini presses next to the espresso machines.
Come graduation time, I had no clue what I was going to do. I came to the realization that my dream of being a television reporter for the CBC (Canada’s version of BBC) was not actually my dream. I always joked that if all else failed, I could just go back to Starbucks :P
Weeks before graduation day, I was offered a full-time reporting job at the same radio station I’d been working with since second year. I immediately said yes, despite the lousy hours and near poverty pay. No one gets a “real” job straight out of J-School! I’d be a fool to turn it down!
Of course, I also like my job. There are days I curse it and feel I just can’t do it anymore. But so far, the good moments outweigh that. I also love the people I work with, which is a deal maker for me.
So why am I sharing all of this? Well, recent posts by Angela, Caitlin, Meghann and Jenna, about pursuing our dreams got me thinking a lot. I already know that I’m not doing my dream job. I already know my dream job has nothing to do with journalism. The job where I was the most happy and felt the most at home was working as a barista (and later, sandwich maker :P)
I think I just got pressured into taking my current career path. I don’t regret a thing. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and as I said, I like my current job. But it’s not something I envision myself doing for many years to come.
When looking for pictures for this post I found an old piece of writing I did for a first year sociology class:
“To me, coffee is more than a caffeine fix or weekend treat. It is a passion that has fascinated me ever since my first sip. The buzz of the espresso machine, whirr of steaming milk and chatter of our patrons is one of my favourite comforts.”
It is indeed comforting to know that someday I will return to that. I’m not sure in what way. Whether to get back into cafe management, or open a cafe of my own. But instead of keeping it as a far-away dream in my head, I’m going to make it a reality. Not tomorrow. But I will actively pursue it. Let’s call it a “5-year plan.” ;)
I think I never officially made this decision in the past because working in a cafe, in my head, was never a “real” job. People who work in offices from 9-5 have “real jobs,” cafes are just where you work when you don’t know where else to go. That may be true for some people, but not for me. I know I have what it takes to manage or own a successful store. And I will have no shame in being called a “career barista” :)
Of course, my passion extends beyond coffee. I love food too! I wouldn’t leave you without some pics to drool over ;)
I’ve been snacking on homemade protein bars!
The always lovely Janetha sent me the recipe after I made the decision to stop spending my gym money on expensive bars. I tweaked it a touch, but the ingredients are as follows:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup oat flour (I made it in my coffee grinder with the rolled stuff)
- 5 scoops chocolate whey powder
- 6 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
They have to be refrigerated, but I really like them! A little chewy, but I have some ideas on how to tweak it for next time. I really like the taste of my protein powder, so I find it quite tasty :)
Also had – grilled breakfast wrap!
I scrambled up some egg whites, Yves veggie sausage patties, mushrooms, yellow pepper, onion and tomato and put it in an ezekiel wrap with ketchup.
Sometimes I like to dip strawberries in yogurt and pretend it’s whipped cream :)
Today was also a well-needed rest day. I’ve been waddling around all day from yesterday’s squats and lunges! :P
Question of the day: What’s your dream job? Are you doing it?
Breakfast cookie time, I’ve got an early wake-up call in the a.m.! Night night!
Posted on September 25, 2009, in Lessons Learned and tagged barista, flashback friday, J-School, journalism, protein bars, Starbucks, university, work, wraps. Bookmark the permalink. 32 Comments.
I’m not sure that I have my dream job, but it’s pretty close. As my career has progressed I have found new things that I love and altered the direction I want to go. It’s always within the same field but as I have the chance to try new things I find out what I like.
Owning a cafe sounds like such a hard but rewarding job!
You can make me a coffee any day of the week!
;)
I actually think the best job I have had so far is working at Subway as a supervisor. I loved it. I like the customer service and the “rushes” of people. And everyone on the team worked so well together!
Funny you should mention coffee – as my dream job is to open a cafe. I have done a lot of schooling, thinking I was pursuing a dream job and it turned out not to be.
My husband and I have been half eyeing a cafe for sale that is about an hour from where we live. It’s a hard decision monetarily.
Those protein bars look good!
Lori, I think the financial aspect of it was what made it an easy deicision for me. I realized I’m making the same amount now I was as a supervisor at Starbucks, and even less than I was as a manager. Right now I’m thinking of trying to franchise a regional coffee company, perhaps the investment going in won’t be so steep. At this point, I don’t really have any “money to lose.” :P
I honestly don’t know what my dream career is yet! I do know I definitely want to be a stay-at-home-mom at some point, but I’d also like to teach literature and own a bakery. We shall see!
PS: Ohmygod I just registered for a half marathon in April and I’m freaking out. I think you should sign up for one too and we can write it off as some awesome Canadian-American act of diplomacy! :)
I actually want to do a half marathon in May!! My city hosts one every mother’s day. Think we can train on the treadmill together all winter? :P
Game on! I’m hoping to do some of my training outside, at least, since it’s not quite so cold and snowy where I live now.
currently – mother is my dream job of choice… I sold my company about 4 years ago, and I miss it from time to time, but I still enoy being mom and knowing my kids will turn out better for it…5 more years and I will go back when they’re all in school :)
question is…. will I return to the same line of work or find a new challenge?
i REALLY loved this post. it kind of gave me a sick feeling in my stomach.. which sucked.. but i LOVED hearing about what you are passionate about and the flashback photos were stellar. i definitely am NOT working my dream job. i love my job.. but it is not anything i would like to do forever. =/ anyway, thanks for making me think. i love the pinky up photo!! and hooray for the protein bars.. i agree, sticky sticky, if you figure a better recipe let me know. have a great weekend susan! love your guts!
I currently work in customer service while I pursue a Bachelors Of Science in Nursing. However, my dream job has always been to be an Registered Dietician. But, the schools that offer that program don’t offer enough financial aid, it takes longer to get through than nursing, there are not near as many jobs available as there are for nurses and the salary is much lower. So, I am going for my second choice ;)
I’m definitely not doing my dream job, in fact I pretty much hate my job. I don’t really know how I ended up where I am but I’m hoping to change it.
I’ve often thought that I’d love to own my own cafe, less stressful than a full restaurant, with the potential for a local, community feel. But truthfully, I have no idea what I want to do. Thus, why I waste away in a job I hate, because I don’t know where to go from here.
What a neat post!!
I have another starbucks question.. as you can see I’m not a big coffee drinker! I know you said to order your lattes half sugar or something? Could you tell me how exactly to order so I don’t sound like a weirdo?? LOL
those protein bars sound REALLY good. I think I may need to make them!
Haha April, ask for it “half sweet.” Baristas hear all sorts of crazy things from people ordering though, so don’t worry about it! Just don’t call a “Tazo Chai” a “tai chi” :P
I love this post :D I could see you owning a cafe someday, making your own baked goods, interviewing the farmers who grow the beans… :D Have you ever read the book, “How Starbucks Changed My Life”? I haven’t read the whole thing but flicked through and it looks like a really nice story about a man with a high-flying career who switched to working at Starbucks and never regretted it…
I am not doing my dream job (doctor) but I’m kind of okay with that particular dream-abaondomnet now that I know more about it…though I really don’t know WHAT I want to do. I’ve been thinking about it for the past few days. I have absolutely no idea…watch this space (or my space rather- will leave your blog for you :P )
Ellie, I flicked through that book too! I should buy it though, I saw it pretty cheap at a used book store. High-flying careers are SO overrated :P
Holy yum to those protein bars! And that wrap–eggs have just been calling my name lately! My dream job is to work at a bakery. I love to bake like nobody’s business and I actually held that job for a while in high school. Love!
yesss those protein bars are awesome! thanks for posting the ingredients!
I have always dreamed of working as a barista but felt like no one considered it a “real job” despite my interest. I am hostessing now which seems like an okay fit- I expect a certain level of service so I give that level etc. But its just a “in the mean time” while in grad school job.
thanks for sharing your history and career path thusfar! that was really interesitng to read about.
i think its great that you know what you want to do eventually with your life. being happy at your job is so important! i think it’s strange sometimes to consider something other than a 9-5 because that’s so the norm in our society. my roommate is an actress and she always says if she weren’t, she would want to open a yoga studio. but she feels pressure (just in her own head) to go to nursing school and have a more traditional job. i think if we didnt have people without those less traditional jobs, there would be NO coffee houses and yoga studios and who wants that! if it’s your dream, you should definitely follow it and enjoy it :)
Susan, I can’t tell you how incredibly refreshing this post was! WOOT! I respect people more for following their hearts and doing what makes them happy and truly living life more than those who would rather larger bank accounts (in some cases) over satisfying their true potential. If you still feel this passionately about your experiences as a barista and manager of a cafe, I have NO DOUBT AT ALL that you will succeed returning to it. It’s people with passion that become successful entrepreneurs!
i am definitely living my dream job as an actor but unfortunately, the reality of my dream job involves a lot of not working! however, i know that it’s just part of what i signed up for. life has a lot more meaning when we feel like we’re living with a purpose!
I think that is lovely. I worked at a little drive-through coffee bar in high school and it was honestly the most fun job I have ever had. I’ve always said, if I won the lottery, I would work in a coffee bar again and just have fun :)
Oh wow, I loved hearing your story! I think your 5 year plan sounds brilliant. For what it’s worth, if you opened a coffee shop near me, I’d visit!!
Hope you had a wonderful early morning!! I’ve almost fallen asleep 2 today!
So inspiring! I’m a journalism student now and work at a coffee shop! haha I hope to one day become a music supervisor/coordinator for movies and tv, and also travel the world writing for my own music magazine. :)
My dream job has always been to open a tea shop. Lots of varieties of tea and little baked goods like scones and those cute sandwiches. A little unrealistic, especially in rural WV since no one here drinks tea unless it’s iced and has 4 cups of sugar in it.
I like coffee too though so if you ever open a shop I’ll venture into Canada to try it out! :)
Those bars look good. What size pan did you use?
You story is great, and I hope you follow your dream!
Hey Julie! I used an 8×8 baking pan :)
I loved this post. I´m so confused and a lot of what your saying I said – just in another way.
I always wanted to write – but to be a writer never really felt like a real job – so I got a degree in social science and took courses in managment. I became the Human Resource Manager at a company and now I found myself torn between family and work – the work I thought I loved.
Now I realize that the hole career-.thing might not be for me. But it can also just be that the company I work for work in a way that doensn´t suite me. I don´t know.
Anyway, I quit my job and now I have four weeks left there. I´m thinking about working as a journalist but that is not easy, and maybe I don´t want that. I really have no idea. I think you should open your own café though, maybe you can combine journalism and coffee with a place called “Books & coffee”. I would start my own business if I new what I wanted to do.You are really happy to know what you love to do.
Well confused as you see. I just wanted to say that I really liked your post, and now I did so bye. :)
While I’m coming upon this post at a rather belated date, I must say, I find your writing to be particularly inspirational. It’s important to remember to not “lock” oneself into doing something, even if it’s what society/others tell them they should do. And I must say, I loooooove Starbucks (especially their Vivannos with an espresso shot). I also love the baristas there – many of them are so professional, welcoming, and knowledgeable. It sounds like you are no exception!
How’s the 5-year plan going? Or, given some time since you’ve written this, has it changed?
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