I confess to being a caffeine addict. Not addict, in the sense that I can’t exist without it. I can go days at a time without any and I’m completely fine. However, I simply can’t walk past a coffee shop without going in and getting something unless I already have a cup in my hands. (Unless its Dunkin’ Donuts, which I despise.)Not surprisingly, the coffee shop I spend the most time at is Starbucks. I have become a regular at about four Starbucks shops in midtown, and at least three downtown. I love Starbucks for many reasons, but to name a few major ones: its availability everywhere in the city; its customizablilty of drinks and consistancy at different shops; its ethical approach to purchasing and selling coffee; its urban-yet-low-key, modern-yet-classic
vibes; and most of all, its high values placed on customer service.Naturally, just buying the coffee twice a day wasn’t enough for me. I decided to get a job as a barista in the nearest Starbucks around the corner from my building. Now I got to learn about the inner workings of a company that came to define New York City’s lifestyle.
You can only imagine the excitement I had when I received my employment package: the green apron, the black logo hat, a barista shorthand dictionary, and a pound of Pike Place beans. Along with the package, I also got the serious discounts, including free beverages and pastries while at work and a thirty percent discount outside of the store and on products.After working there for about a month, I still hold Starbucks as a gift from the gods in my mind. Their coffee rocks of course, and ambiance. That perfect organization, professionalism, and vibe continues into the workplace. I feel cool and classy as the head barista, customizing cappuccinos and prepping the pumpkin spice lattes. It amazes me how Starbucks as a brand has made itself into a cool barnd through and through. None of it comes up short. It is organized, urban, forward-thinking, and green on every level.
Starbucks seems disconnected from my true career goals as a fashion designer on the surface. But if you look carefully, there are ties: handcrafted designs, agility, charisma and likability, 
maintenance of a certain indescribable "cool." I want these qualities in my design work as well as my beverages.
