Baristas


Hospitality and Tourism > Baristas > Preparation
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Baristas

Baristas - Preparation

To work as a barista, you typically need to:

  • complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Although it is possible to become a barista while still in high school, the job of baristas is steadily taking on importance. As a result, training opportunities are expanding. Some cafes, coffee grinders, and restaurants offer seminars and workshops in preparing coffee drinks, varieties of coffee, coffee roasting, and similar topics.

On-the-job training

Most baristas gain their skills through on-the-job training which generally lasts a few days. However, many employers continually train their employees, especially when offering new types of drinks and products. High-end cafes and coffeehouses are often more selective when hiring baristas. They expect employees to have a personal love of coffee as well as significant experience as a barista.

Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security.