What does a Barista actually do?

The short version

Baristas make coffee at speed — the 6:30 open, the commuter rush, the milk that never steams itself. It's honest, social, physical work, and it's priced like it: pay tracks minimum wage closely.

The pitch: zero barrier to entry, flexible hours, and a fast ladder to team leader and store management for reliable people. The catch: early starts, weekend rotas, and flat pay unless you climb — this is a launchpad more than a career. Full-time equivalent pay runs £██–███K, but many contracts are part-time.

Entry routes that actually work

• Apply to a chain — Costa, Starbucks, Nero and Pret hire constantly and train you.
• Independent cafés — less formal; a genuine interest in coffee gets you further.
• Climb internally — team leader (e.g. Costa's Barista Maestro) is the first real step up.