Reading time: 2 minutes
If you’re a student looking for your first part-time job in Australia, working in a café has probably crossed your mind. But there’s one tiny problem.
What if you’ve never made a coffee in your life?
We sent Curtin students Kristel and Musa to Mia San Mia for a crash course in making coffee, and things got interesting pretty quickly.
1. Making coffee looks easy… until it’s your turn
You know those baristas who make a perfect latte while having a full conversation with a customer? Yeah, that’s a skill.
From pulling the perfect espresso shot to figuring out how to steam milk without making a bubbly mess, Kristel and Musa quickly discovered that making coffee involves a lot more than pressing a button. And don’t even get us started on latte art…
2. Latte art is NOT for the weak
We’ve all seen those gorgeous swans, hearts and tulips on Instagram. Now imagine trying to recreate one with absolutely no experience.
Kristel and Musa gave it a go, but let’s just say there’s a reason baristas practise.
The real question: Did their latte art actually look like anything?
You’ll have to see their creations for yourself.
3. Plot twist: They actually had to serve customers
Learning how to make coffee is one thing. Making it for someone who’s actually going to drink it? Completely different story.
After their training, Kristel and Musa had to put their new skills to work by taking real customer orders. Suddenly, remembering how to make coffee while keeping up with orders became a whole new challenge.
And when someone’s waiting for their caffeine fix, the pressure is ON.
4. But is being a barista actually a good student job?
If you’re looking for casual or part-time work while studying, café jobs could be worth exploring.
You could build skills in customer service, teamwork, communication and working under pressure. Plus, it’s an opportunity to gain experience in Australia’s hospitality industry.
But what if you’re starting with zero experience? How hard is it to learn? And is working in a café actually something you’d enjoy?
That’s exactly what Kristel and Musa wanted to find out.
So… would YOU survive a barista shift?
One crash course. Two beginner baristas. Real customers.
Did Kristel and Musa manage to pull it off, or should they stick to drinking coffee instead?
And who knows? Maybe it’ll inspire you to give barista training a go yourself.
