Behind the bar with a barista

For some people, coffee is more than just a morning pick-me-up: it's a lifestyle. Coffee shop culture has become increasingly popular in the U.S. in the past few decades, as evidenced by the number of Starbucks stores and their competitors popping up like wildflowers across the urban and suburban landscape. There's also the Coffee House radio channel on Sirius XM, for those enthusiasts who want to take the experience to their car, home, or wherever else they may be sipping a cup o' Joe.

One such enthusiast is Senem Akturk, owner and operator of Senem's Coffee House in Chicago, Ill. In addition to the managerial duties, Senem spends much of her time as a barista. She recently gave CareerBuilder a closer look at the popular job.

CareerBuilder: What are the basic duties of a barista?

Akturk: The first thing is good customer service. Baristas need to greet all new customers when they come in, and help them find any desired merchandise, etc. They're responsible for understanding the variety of coffee, tea and other beverages. Since we carry different teas and authentic coffee beverages such as Turkish coffee, a new barista has to be a quick learner and able to add their personal touch to the drinks.

Baristas also need to know about the health and sanitation requirements of drink preparation, such as milk temperature and coffee bean storage. Depending on which shift they work, baristas are responsible for a variety of cleaning duties: cleaning the espresso machine, coffee makers; mopping the floor; doing dishes; keeping the seating and cream/sugar station clean, etc. And, of course, they have to be able to work the register as well.

What is your educational background?

I studied general history and art history at the University of Istanbul in Turkey. I also got an interior design degree from the International Academy of Design and Technology, which helped me to design my coffee shop. For my barista education I got some private classes from Metropolis Coffee Company, where my coffee beans come from.

Before you opened your own place, did you have experience at another coffee shop?
I worked at a family-owned fine-dining restaurant during college. Since we served coffee and tea beverages, I got some skill inventing different drinks, some of which are on my board now! That experience helped a lot.

When you hire new baristas, what qualities do you look for? What kind of education or training do you want them to have?

I like them to have at least a little background in the coffee shop business. Since I have different types of drinks, I have to give them training anyway, but I want them to at least know the basic rules. And I also provide them a couple of hours of professional training from Metropolis.

In the world of coffee, do you need to be a morning person?

I wasn't a morning person at all until I got my shop. Now I am dying to get up and start my day with my delicious Metropolis coffee, especially those days they have their Colombian blend, which is to die for.

What is the most fun thing about what you do?

I know all my neighbors now. My motto has worked very well: "Enter as strangers, leave as friends." I've gained a lot of friends with "customer benefits."

Anything else you would like to share?

I have spent so much time in coffee shops either studying or enjoy the environment with a lot of coffees. Having my own place is priceless. I enjoy what I do and I still go to local coffee shops just to see what they offer that's different. I stay on top of the business as much as I can so I don't miss out on anything and my coffee shop one of a kind.