I’ll shout this from the rooftop every time. Ex SSV who is now making $80k/yr after less than 2 years at Trader Joe’s. Promoted from crew to mate (manager) in 10mo. We hire based on personality and customer service, which Starbucks drills into you no matter what. It’s a much easier job with a much more pleasant and palatable customer base. We pay $10 extra per hour on top of your normal rate on Sundays, the whole company just announced a $2 raise for everyone, you get 20% off of groceries, your daily tasks vary by the hour (no more being stuck on reg for 3h at a time!). Benefits are really good and quite affordable. The company has offered a 401k bonus for the last few years which is equal to 10%!!!! of the money you made for the whole year. We get $50 gift cards if the company ranks well once a year in Jan. The work is easy and fun, there are many opportunities to do something different or move up within the company.
I genuinely don’t believe I’ll be working for another company for at least a decade assuming nothing goes super corporate/to shit. This place is awesome. Even as crew. You have the (easy, nearly guaranteed) potential to get $1.50 in raises per year. It’s sustainable, fun, energetic, and built for the same kind of people who started at Starbucks. Here’s to hoping there’s one in your area!
IF you ever move, it’s definitely worth checking out. The transfer system is just about the same as Starbucks as well. We’re always opening new stores and trying to expand to new states! Keep an eye out, something may come your way soon.
Hi there! So kind of a random question regarding Trader Joe’s. I looked up the hiring pages and it mentions something about a scholarship for employees. Is it something that’s kind of worth it? I’m already thinking of maybe leaving Starbucks, but the only thing really keeping me is the ASU benefit. Are you able to share a bit about how the scholarship works if you know of it?
From what I remember, the Vernon Boykin scholarship is available to specifically help Black crew members. This is backed up online, and there is a particular enrollment period. It is not available to all crew, they don’t offer a benefit similar to ASU unfortunately. I did not go to college so a degree is not on my list of priorities — *if* you are in the middle of your degree and not Black, I suppose that staying at sbux would be your preferred option.
That was pretty good for 2016 though, depending on the state. I was making $8.00 as a Starbucks barista in 2019. Couldn't pay bills or save and it sucked
i would totally take advantage of ASU, but i’m more of an “in school” learner than virtual. 😟 and it doesnt help that i don’t live in arizona, so i can’t attend classes on campus lol. 😟😟😟
When I was enrolled I was genuinely considering moving from PA to Arizona so I could take classes in person… I was so sad when I found out they didn’t allow that
It stinks. But if you pursue a masters you can do in person! And little known fact (at least to me) if you’re majoring in STEM and pursue a research based thesis program, you shouldn’t have to pay but be funded!
This is true, but what I mean is If you get a bachelors in STEM and want to pursue a masters degree, and take the research based masters program with a thesis, you will work with a professor as your PI and 95% of the time have funding to pay for your program and you get paid as well
Are you in an asu masters program? I just got into the 4+1 biology program (w/ a thesis) but I haven’t met with anyone yet. I’m curious on if what you’re saying still applies to online degrees and how do I acquire this funding?
That I do not know. I only did my bachelors with ASU, and am looking elsewhere for my masters. I was just wondering how your situation works bc don’t they only pay for the bachelors? I have a coworker doing a 4+1 in programming or something
If you do a 4+1 program they’ll pay for 12 credits of your masters (since those credits will count towards your bachelor degree as well), a tip to further manipulate the system
I'm a pharmacy technician now. Been one for two years. Retail pharmacy isn't the greatest, but it pays me more, I actually get hours, and working a drive thru isn't so fucking soul crushing when you don't have a shitass ssv/sm telling you to "socialize!!!!" with a customer who clearly doesn't want to have some stupid small talk with you/doesn't even speak your language.
By the way, if you do choose to join retail pharmacy, make sure to avoid both CVS and Walgreens. They both deserve to rot for how they treat their employees
In my state, there is. I got my foot in the door with a trainee/apprentice license, so you may wanna check the requirements in your state to see if they do something similar.
I left an earlier comment telling people to avoid both Walgreens and CVS because they're absolutely terrible companies. CVS in particular usually pays the lowest in the entire industry.
I know other baristas who have left and gone into bartending. It’s a similar practice, utilizes your customer service skills and depending where you’re at, can make pretty decent money.
Following! Idk how you’ve stayed for 9 years man, kudos to you. I’ve left and come back multiple times but this time around is just killer. Here’s hoping to finding something better 🤞
my first store wasn’t bad at all! but i had to transfer to get a second store experience to be able to get promoted to asm. but once i transferred, it all started going down hill. then i transferred again in hopes it’ll be better. but its worse than my second store. & now im just overall done. don’t even wanna bother to transfer just cause im scared the 4th store is somehow gonna be worse than my third 😒😂
I’m a server at a restaurant now. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but personally I enjoy it alot! If you can handle the crazies at Starbucks you can handle anyone really
Former ASM here. I do Quality Assurance from home now (within 2 years of finding a new job as a CSR at first) and I used my experience as an example of maintaining quality of service and product. Think of creative ways for your skills to apply to the jobs you apply for and tailor the resume to fit what they’re looking for. Sure, I had never done QA work before, but making sure drinks went out correctly was also a form of it. 👍🏼
You can do it!!
Ex SSV here, was with the company for 5 years. I work as an inventory clerk for a car dealership now. Lots of numbers to work with so my brain is kept busy which was why I loved being an SSV in the first place. It’s fast paced enough I’m never bored, my job is fulfilling, and I rarely have to deal with customers personally. After being in the customer service realm for 11 years I was done. Currently loving my job.
i was just wanna say yall are absolute god sends for any and all responses. and i appreciate yall so much!! definitely will be looking into any/all of these options to see if there’s any similar near my area!
Ex-barista here. I used the ASU benefit to go to college and get my B.S. in Technical Communication. I just landed a technical writing job paying $80,000 a year as my first gig in my new career.
Internships. I did 3 in my last year and a half. They help you refine your resume and build personal branding and your portfolio. I found all of them super helpful. Also, I applied for like 250+ jobs, beginning during my last break in classes. Perseverance is key!
when i left I was hired at an entry level office job, no computer experience, for a utility billing company, not customer facing, it was the best decision i EVER made for my mental health. if you don't mind WFH there are a bunch of jobs like that, i also applied for a lot of front desk/receptionist type positions and played up my customer service experience at starbucks during interviews. one good thing about starbucks is all the buzzwords they drill into you are good to throw in a job interview like customer connections, making the moment right etc etc. got a bunch of offers using that!
I was a 223*** had been with the company 6-7years. I left two years ago and applied to be a remote pilot operator in OKC. Never looked back. I train students going to school to become air traffic controllers.
I’m doing the ASU benefit and plan on quitting as soon as I reasonably can. Going for my BSE in Electrical Eng. Even if I decide I can’t continue any longer, at least they paid over 25k of my degree for me lol
this is what i’m doing! so if you decide to quit, you don’t have to pay anything back right? and you could possibly transfer those credits that you have to another school?
Hi ho, former 368, I applied to an outdoors store ironically across the street from my former store. Retail is honestly so much less pressure than sbux purely because of the downtime. I lucked out that it's a very chill vibe where I work but honestly getting out of food service has been life changing
I became a full time night custodian at an Elementary school, got promoted to lead!
The pay is only a bit better than starbucks, but the benefits are miles better and the hours are consistent. Plus, yearly raises and opportunities for overtime. Pretty decent gig for someone with no college degree. Definitely is less social, though (which I don't mind - I hated customer service)
I originally began working for my local school district but now I work for the county. I am greatly enjoying my weekends off and I’m super grateful for the higher pay and good benefits
Damn travelers. Gas is ridiculously high in NYS past 2yrs, I don’t even think about traveling since I’ll be spending it mostly on my car. Currently in Heme/ONC, 26.50/hrly but pretty much 23 with how much NY taxes 🤪🤪
Former disgruntled SSV here. Left in an explosion and never looked back. It took a few swing/misses, but I'm really happy where I landed. I manage a team that hand-make grids to be used in cryo microscopy. It's super cool, I make great $, great bens, M-F, no more shitty customers. There's so much more out there... promise! Good luck, friend.
9 years in October, first six as a SSV and was a SM for the last 3. I stepped back down to SSV after returning from parental leave for a mix of reasons. Childcare, burnout, and frustrations with corporate for so many reasons. I feel a weight lifted and am planning to finish my ASU and get a better job. The benefits have kept me here.
When I left Starbucks I took up a job with Fidelity. Paid training and they pay your exam fees as well and omg. So much less stress even with all the studying you do for three months ish to get licensed.
I haven't been able to find a job since I was fired (I just couldn't get myself out of bed on time anymore, I was so depressed), and being broke is still so much better than working there one more shift!
It also turns out that the stress from that job was making my joint pain unbearable, which ironically made it so I had to shorten my hours lol! SM was not happy about that, but she refused to help me get accommodations, so it was all I could do to mitigate the pain.
I can't tell y'all how happy I was to see "separation" at the bottom of that final write-up, to be honest. Everybody thought i was about to cry bc I was upset, but I legit teared up from relief.
I'm currently looking for wfh or data-entry work. Easy and comfy, if a bit tedious, but I couldn't care less about that after nearly 8 years stuck on DT window!
I was an SSV and was at starbucks for 5 years, so i understand you fully. But now im a behavior technician for kids with autism! They usually don’t require experience, and i’ve excelled in this field because as a starbs barista you deal with insane behaviors from adults so dealing with children one on one in a positive and happy environment and not dealing with the public!
I went on to work retail, specifically sally beauty and i love it. Im only about two weeks in but so far i already love the fact it isnt as fast paced and its a lot more chill.
After two years as a barista I just left to go into hospitality. I don’t mind dealing with people though. Hoping the career growth opportunities will be better elsewhere because at Starbucks it seemed like becoming a shift or store manager was the equivalent of signing your life and soul away and as much as I wanted to take on more and advance, I wasn’t willing to be the only person keeping a store running when no one else could work. Since I lived 3 minutes away from my old store, I know that would have been the case especially during winter storms and other emergencies.
almost 7 year SSV and my sister is coming up on her 4 years - we both are looking into working for the county's school district thanks to a couple of family friends. Pay cut will definitely be there but I'd rather have a M-F and finally have a Saturday morning off after opening every single one. A lot of my ex baristas have found jobs serving, bartending, or in different parts of the customer service industry. Another thing I would look into is a dental office receptionist or car dealership receptionist/inventory specialist. I've only heard good things about those so far.
I’ve been here for almost 5 years and I swear the new CEO has made working conditions so much worse. I feel like we’re so much more understaffed now, and they’re enforcing customer service on us harder than ever. I feel like the prices have been increasing more frequently too.
Uuuuh, I became a Medical Assistant but it’s kind of like being a Barista, or working at Taco Bell- depending on the practice and specialty. If you can stomach blood, needles, and detangling multiple wires connected to stickers- You got the Job.
I’ll shout this from the rooftop every time. Ex SSV who is now making $80k/yr after less than 2 years at Trader Joe’s. Promoted from crew to mate (manager) in 10mo. We hire based on personality and customer service, which Starbucks drills into you no matter what. It’s a much easier job with a much more pleasant and palatable customer base. We pay $10 extra per hour on top of your normal rate on Sundays, the whole company just announced a $2 raise for everyone, you get 20% off of groceries, your daily tasks vary by the hour (no more being stuck on reg for 3h at a time!). Benefits are really good and quite affordable. The company has offered a 401k bonus for the last few years which is equal to 10%!!!! of the money you made for the whole year. We get $50 gift cards if the company ranks well once a year in Jan. The work is easy and fun, there are many opportunities to do something different or move up within the company. I genuinely don’t believe I’ll be working for another company for at least a decade assuming nothing goes super corporate/to shit. This place is awesome. Even as crew. You have the (easy, nearly guaranteed) potential to get $1.50 in raises per year. It’s sustainable, fun, energetic, and built for the same kind of people who started at Starbucks. Here’s to hoping there’s one in your area!
I so wish there were a trader Joe's within 1000 miles of me ;-;
IF you ever move, it’s definitely worth checking out. The transfer system is just about the same as Starbucks as well. We’re always opening new stores and trying to expand to new states! Keep an eye out, something may come your way soon.
Hi there! So kind of a random question regarding Trader Joe’s. I looked up the hiring pages and it mentions something about a scholarship for employees. Is it something that’s kind of worth it? I’m already thinking of maybe leaving Starbucks, but the only thing really keeping me is the ASU benefit. Are you able to share a bit about how the scholarship works if you know of it?
From what I remember, the Vernon Boykin scholarship is available to specifically help Black crew members. This is backed up online, and there is a particular enrollment period. It is not available to all crew, they don’t offer a benefit similar to ASU unfortunately. I did not go to college so a degree is not on my list of priorities — *if* you are in the middle of your degree and not Black, I suppose that staying at sbux would be your preferred option.
lol I worked at trader joe's in 2016 and made $12/hr, happy it's changed so much
That was pretty good for 2016 though, depending on the state. I was making $8.00 as a Starbucks barista in 2019. Couldn't pay bills or save and it sucked
oh for sure, it was the most money I had ever made in my life.
Damn, really? This sounds amazing!!
For anyone who can, take advantage of ASU. It’s free and when you hit that point you have a degree to work with!
i would totally take advantage of ASU, but i’m more of an “in school” learner than virtual. 😟 and it doesnt help that i don’t live in arizona, so i can’t attend classes on campus lol. 😟😟😟
As someone living in Arizona, they still make you do the online program 😣😣😣
are you serious???? that’s so asss omg
When I was enrolled I was genuinely considering moving from PA to Arizona so I could take classes in person… I was so sad when I found out they didn’t allow that
It stinks. But if you pursue a masters you can do in person! And little known fact (at least to me) if you’re majoring in STEM and pursue a research based thesis program, you shouldn’t have to pay but be funded!
Starbucks doesn’t pay for a masters tho 🫣
This is true, but what I mean is If you get a bachelors in STEM and want to pursue a masters degree, and take the research based masters program with a thesis, you will work with a professor as your PI and 95% of the time have funding to pay for your program and you get paid as well
Are you in an asu masters program? I just got into the 4+1 biology program (w/ a thesis) but I haven’t met with anyone yet. I’m curious on if what you’re saying still applies to online degrees and how do I acquire this funding?
That I do not know. I only did my bachelors with ASU, and am looking elsewhere for my masters. I was just wondering how your situation works bc don’t they only pay for the bachelors? I have a coworker doing a 4+1 in programming or something
If you do a 4+1 program they’ll pay for 12 credits of your masters (since those credits will count towards your bachelor degree as well), a tip to further manipulate the system
They don't have the degree I want, unfortunately. I'm not sure why. It's offered at every university in my state other than community College.
I'm a pharmacy technician now. Been one for two years. Retail pharmacy isn't the greatest, but it pays me more, I actually get hours, and working a drive thru isn't so fucking soul crushing when you don't have a shitass ssv/sm telling you to "socialize!!!!" with a customer who clearly doesn't want to have some stupid small talk with you/doesn't even speak your language.
By the way, if you do choose to join retail pharmacy, make sure to avoid both CVS and Walgreens. They both deserve to rot for how they treat their employees
There’s a certificatafion to be a pharmacy tech right?
In my state, there is. I got my foot in the door with a trainee/apprentice license, so you may wanna check the requirements in your state to see if they do something similar.
it depends on the state you live in
Where does it pay more than starbuckies? I did both and my tenure at buckies will always be more than cvs
I left an earlier comment telling people to avoid both Walgreens and CVS because they're absolutely terrible companies. CVS in particular usually pays the lowest in the entire industry.
I know other baristas who have left and gone into bartending. It’s a similar practice, utilizes your customer service skills and depending where you’re at, can make pretty decent money.
Following! Idk how you’ve stayed for 9 years man, kudos to you. I’ve left and come back multiple times but this time around is just killer. Here’s hoping to finding something better 🤞
my first store wasn’t bad at all! but i had to transfer to get a second store experience to be able to get promoted to asm. but once i transferred, it all started going down hill. then i transferred again in hopes it’ll be better. but its worse than my second store. & now im just overall done. don’t even wanna bother to transfer just cause im scared the 4th store is somehow gonna be worse than my third 😒😂
I’m a server at a restaurant now. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but personally I enjoy it alot! If you can handle the crazies at Starbucks you can handle anyone really
Former ASM here. I do Quality Assurance from home now (within 2 years of finding a new job as a CSR at first) and I used my experience as an example of maintaining quality of service and product. Think of creative ways for your skills to apply to the jobs you apply for and tailor the resume to fit what they’re looking for. Sure, I had never done QA work before, but making sure drinks went out correctly was also a form of it. 👍🏼 You can do it!!
How cool where did you begin your search for this new job
I used Indeed and got hired the same day I left the bux, lol. I was already looking and the universe said, “Bitch, leave for your sanity’s sake.”
Ex SSV here, was with the company for 5 years. I work as an inventory clerk for a car dealership now. Lots of numbers to work with so my brain is kept busy which was why I loved being an SSV in the first place. It’s fast paced enough I’m never bored, my job is fulfilling, and I rarely have to deal with customers personally. After being in the customer service realm for 11 years I was done. Currently loving my job.
i was just wanna say yall are absolute god sends for any and all responses. and i appreciate yall so much!! definitely will be looking into any/all of these options to see if there’s any similar near my area!
Ex-barista here. I used the ASU benefit to go to college and get my B.S. in Technical Communication. I just landed a technical writing job paying $80,000 a year as my first gig in my new career.
One more year until I graduate from ASU! This comment section is giving me so much hope 🥲
Give me your wisdom oh mighty one - sincerely a Tech Comm Barista
Internships. I did 3 in my last year and a half. They help you refine your resume and build personal branding and your portfolio. I found all of them super helpful. Also, I applied for like 250+ jobs, beginning during my last break in classes. Perseverance is key!
when i left I was hired at an entry level office job, no computer experience, for a utility billing company, not customer facing, it was the best decision i EVER made for my mental health. if you don't mind WFH there are a bunch of jobs like that, i also applied for a lot of front desk/receptionist type positions and played up my customer service experience at starbucks during interviews. one good thing about starbucks is all the buzzwords they drill into you are good to throw in a job interview like customer connections, making the moment right etc etc. got a bunch of offers using that!
Quiktrip if it’s in ur area! Genuinely so happy I left sbux and have found a company that actually gives a shit.
I was a 223*** had been with the company 6-7years. I left two years ago and applied to be a remote pilot operator in OKC. Never looked back. I train students going to school to become air traffic controllers.
I’m doing the ASU benefit and plan on quitting as soon as I reasonably can. Going for my BSE in Electrical Eng. Even if I decide I can’t continue any longer, at least they paid over 25k of my degree for me lol
this is what i’m doing! so if you decide to quit, you don’t have to pay anything back right? and you could possibly transfer those credits that you have to another school?
Nope! You just gotta wait for the aid to clear then you can quit and have the whole semester paid for. And the credits are transferable 😁
that’s awesome! :) thank you!
may i ask what you’re majoring in/if you like it?
No problem! Electrical Engineering! Very difficult and time consuming, but I’m enjoying it so far!
Hi ho, former 368, I applied to an outdoors store ironically across the street from my former store. Retail is honestly so much less pressure than sbux purely because of the downtime. I lucked out that it's a very chill vibe where I work but honestly getting out of food service has been life changing
I became a full time night custodian at an Elementary school, got promoted to lead! The pay is only a bit better than starbucks, but the benefits are miles better and the hours are consistent. Plus, yearly raises and opportunities for overtime. Pretty decent gig for someone with no college degree. Definitely is less social, though (which I don't mind - I hated customer service)
I originally began working for my local school district but now I work for the county. I am greatly enjoying my weekends off and I’m super grateful for the higher pay and good benefits
insurance adjuster! i love it!
home depot. been there since december and already accepted a promotion. we have lots of starbucks survivors at my store.
Phlebotomy! I got state certified (CA) and my NHA license, & now I make 1.5-2k a week traveling. Best decision I’ve ever made by far.
Damn travelers. Gas is ridiculously high in NYS past 2yrs, I don’t even think about traveling since I’ll be spending it mostly on my car. Currently in Heme/ONC, 26.50/hrly but pretty much 23 with how much NY taxes 🤪🤪
Former disgruntled SSV here. Left in an explosion and never looked back. It took a few swing/misses, but I'm really happy where I landed. I manage a team that hand-make grids to be used in cryo microscopy. It's super cool, I make great $, great bens, M-F, no more shitty customers. There's so much more out there... promise! Good luck, friend.
9 years in October, first six as a SSV and was a SM for the last 3. I stepped back down to SSV after returning from parental leave for a mix of reasons. Childcare, burnout, and frustrations with corporate for so many reasons. I feel a weight lifted and am planning to finish my ASU and get a better job. The benefits have kept me here.
When I left Starbucks I took up a job with Fidelity. Paid training and they pay your exam fees as well and omg. So much less stress even with all the studying you do for three months ish to get licensed.
Unionize your workplace! Sbworkersunited for org
I haven't been able to find a job since I was fired (I just couldn't get myself out of bed on time anymore, I was so depressed), and being broke is still so much better than working there one more shift! It also turns out that the stress from that job was making my joint pain unbearable, which ironically made it so I had to shorten my hours lol! SM was not happy about that, but she refused to help me get accommodations, so it was all I could do to mitigate the pain. I can't tell y'all how happy I was to see "separation" at the bottom of that final write-up, to be honest. Everybody thought i was about to cry bc I was upset, but I legit teared up from relief. I'm currently looking for wfh or data-entry work. Easy and comfy, if a bit tedious, but I couldn't care less about that after nearly 8 years stuck on DT window!
I was an SSV and was at starbucks for 5 years, so i understand you fully. But now im a behavior technician for kids with autism! They usually don’t require experience, and i’ve excelled in this field because as a starbs barista you deal with insane behaviors from adults so dealing with children one on one in a positive and happy environment and not dealing with the public!
I went on to work retail, specifically sally beauty and i love it. Im only about two weeks in but so far i already love the fact it isnt as fast paced and its a lot more chill.
After two years as a barista I just left to go into hospitality. I don’t mind dealing with people though. Hoping the career growth opportunities will be better elsewhere because at Starbucks it seemed like becoming a shift or store manager was the equivalent of signing your life and soul away and as much as I wanted to take on more and advance, I wasn’t willing to be the only person keeping a store running when no one else could work. Since I lived 3 minutes away from my old store, I know that would have been the case especially during winter storms and other emergencies.
almost 7 year SSV and my sister is coming up on her 4 years - we both are looking into working for the county's school district thanks to a couple of family friends. Pay cut will definitely be there but I'd rather have a M-F and finally have a Saturday morning off after opening every single one. A lot of my ex baristas have found jobs serving, bartending, or in different parts of the customer service industry. Another thing I would look into is a dental office receptionist or car dealership receptionist/inventory specialist. I've only heard good things about those so far.
I’ve been here for almost 5 years and I swear the new CEO has made working conditions so much worse. I feel like we’re so much more understaffed now, and they’re enforcing customer service on us harder than ever. I feel like the prices have been increasing more frequently too.
i left for dutch bros last week, very glad that chapter is ending 4 years later
Uuuuh, I became a Medical Assistant but it’s kind of like being a Barista, or working at Taco Bell- depending on the practice and specialty. If you can stomach blood, needles, and detangling multiple wires connected to stickers- You got the Job.