It isn’t a surprise that many of us are coffee lovers. Whether it’s the one we get from Starbucks or just the container we store in our pantry, there’s no doubt that it truly delights our senses. It’s a great drink to start our day, as well as a good one to share with friends over a catching-up sesh.
However, even with this specific bean being a huge part of almost everyone’s day, we don’t see it as a viable source of income; much less, a career. An Allegra Strategies research reports that with about 1.3 billion cups consumed every day around the world, it fuels the workforce. Add to that the total sales of between $60bn and $80bn globally just from the cups drunk out of the home! If you had a career in this industry, imagine the opportunities not only for money but for growth as well.
Coffee jobs you can have
Honestly, baristas are not taken as seriously as sommeliers. And this should not be the case considering that there are more coffee drinkers than wine drinkers! Besides, there are a lot of related jobs you can have if you want a career in the coffee industry. Below are just among the most common ones.
1. Coffee roaster
Being a roaster means evaluating different coffees in the roasting and cupping processes. Therefore, you need to be an expert on all aspects of beans, as well as in blending and packing them.
2. Coffee taster/cupper
How nice would it be to get paid for drinking coffee all day? However, being a taster/cupper means more than that because you need to have the ability to assess the product’s quality objectively, identify and articulate the attributes of the coffee, detect any defects, and communicate its characteristics using accepted industry terminology.
3. Green coffee buyer
This job requires you to have extensive knowledge of the beans as you determine what specific coffee the company needs to purchase. The perks of the job? You can travel to exotic places and deal with coffee producers.
4. Coffee store manager
Being a store manager, it is your responsibility to bring sales up and inspire your team to work hard. Of course, it also entails multitasking, controlling operating expenses, minimising losses, and recruitment and training.
How to start your coffee career
To have a career in coffee, you should start by asking if you have the passion for it. Just like taking on a career in other fields, you need to have the interest in it at the very least.
1. Network with people in the industry
You can have a better grasp of the way the industry works when you meet and mingle with other people in the coffee community. Visit different cafes and drink lots of coffee. Let’s just say that you are trying to make as many friends in the industry as possible. It surely helps talking to people who have already established a career in the field you want to be in.
2. Enroll in short courses or get certified
If you want to be knowledgeable, then you have to get equipped by enrolling in short courses or diploma courses in the field. There are various options for both onsite and online classes, which equally provide you with the necessary skills and expertise to jumpstart your career. Mumsinc offers About Coffee: An Online Course in Coffee, a self-paced, self-directed course and a beginner-level introduction to coffee. It’s suitable for those who are starting their hospitality career or pursuing an interest in coffee.
3. Do an apprenticeship
After getting your diploma or certificate, put your knowledge to use by doing an apprenticeship. You may not be earning much or anything at all at this stage, but the experience and exposure you’ll get will better equip you for the job. Additionally, apprenticeships, especially with famous brands and names, can look good on your resume.
4. Be self-taught
With technology and your passion and eagerness combined, you can self-learn and start your new career. Read books, search on Google, and even buy your own small coffee machine. It doesn’t have to be the café-type machine since you’re only starting. The point of doing this is to get familiar with the equipment, its parts, and cleaning it.
Just like starting any other job, you need to persevere and make sacrifices. Starting it may drag but once you get the hang of it, it will come easy. The important thing is to enjoy the process just like how you enjoy your drink.
