Let me set the scene. It’s a beautiful Monday morning, and you are walking to class in your favorite striped scarf and Ugg slippers inhaling the cool, crisp air of the new November weather. As you walk past Landis Green, in the corner of your eye you spot the huge crowd lined up in front of the Chick-fil-A and for a minute you wonder why until it hits you… the new peppermint-chip milkshake. As Mariah Carrie belts into your ear, you decide you absolutely need this milkshake, and your microeconomics class just no longer seems relevant. As you wait in line, visions of peppermint and chocolate coming together in harmony fill your head, and that peppermint tingle already begins to develop on your tongue. It’s your turn to order, so you go up and begin to relay your wishes until you open your wallet. All that resides within is a spear mint gum wrapper from last Tuesday and the Tally Cat Cafe hole-punch card that is one hole away from a free cat session. If this super specific situation even remotely sounds like any experience you’ve had in college, I have the job for you!
The Sweet Shop is kinda the biggest staple FSU has in my opinion. I mean granted, my bedroom window stares out at the establishment, but that in no way makes me biased. Neither do the buttery, flaky, magical croissants that I just so happen to have every morning for breakfast. Either way, if you are still here reading then you must really want that peppermint-chip milkshake; and if that’s the case, then the Sweet Shop is the place for you.
It just so happens that my roommate, Shelby, is an employee at the Sweet Shop. After some knees to the floor begging, I landed this exclusive interview to give you all the full scoop. So here it is—a day in the life of a Sweet Shop employee who gets to smell coffee all day, eat free croissants on her break and sip up some peppermint-chip milkshakes whenever she pleases.
Her Campus (HC): Let’s start with landing the job. Talk us through how you went about getting in touch with the boss and what prior experience you had that may have helped.
Shelby Cotita (SC): The hiring process was an absolute piece of cake! When I first went in looking for a job, he asked for prior customer service experience, which I had through my job back home at Publix. I had brought a resume with me and walked right up to the register and asked for a job. He then sat me down at a table, reviewed my availability, and told me to come in at 9 a.m. the next morning.
HC: How does a full day of work look from beginning to end? What are some of the responsibilities you have as a barista?
SC: So to start, no one in the kitchen is “just a barista.” Other responsibilities apart from making drinks are running food, cleaning, and tending to the register when needed. You clock in at whatever time you are scheduled, then immediately put your apron on and get to work! For me, I typically opened so my day would start at 7 a.m. I would come in and begin restocking any syrups, smoothies, lids, straws, and anything else you can think of. Once the day began and we became busier, I typically would make whatever drinks needed to be made. Toward the end of the day, I would begin to clean and prepare for the next day. The shop closes at 5 p.m., but I would never get home until 6 p.m.
HC: What is your favorite part about the job so far? Tell us about some of the perks you get while on the job.
SC: My personal favorite perk was the free food we got on break! Once my break started, the owner’s wife would ask me what I wanted to eat, and I got to pick anything on the menu for her to cook for me! Other than that, you can make your own coffee. Or, if you’re like me, make everyone else’s coffee who’s working too, since I was typically the only barista on shift. The best part about working there is the fast pace. Everything happens so quickly and it can kinda feel like one of those Papa Pizzeria games.
HC: As an employee, what are your favorite drink and food items on the menu that you recommend?
SC: My favorite iced drink was the Happy Camper. It was an iced espresso latte with your milk of choice, three pumps of the happy camper syrup which contained cinnamon, chocolate, and marshmallow, with chocolate drizzle on the inside of the cup! My go-to food would either be a chicken caesar wrap if I was feeling more in a salty mood or the strawberry Nutella croissant if it was more of a sweet day. The best version of the breakfast sandwich, in my opinion, is the everything bagel, cheese, egg and ham—so good!
HC: Do you have any advice or words of wisdom that you could share with prospective employees looking to land a job as a barista here at the Sweet Shop?
SC: Take a deep breath and remember why you are there! Applying for jobs isn’t as scary as most people make it out to be. Simply be yourself and you’ll wow any boss looking to hire! Remembering why you are there also helps once you actually land the job! As with any job, the environment can get fast, customers can get testy and bosses can be belittling. Don’t let this get in the way of what you came to do—make your money!
You heard it from Shelby herself—go out there and make your money! Polish up those Canva-made resumes, restock on your interview wardrobe essentials and practice that first impression smile; the Chick-fil-A peppermint-chip milkshakes are waiting for you!
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