The Starbucks Chapter

In a surprising twist, Wawas Bangun took an unconventional detour in his career, donning the iconic green apron of Starbucks as a barista. While some might view this as a step away from ambition, for Wawas, it was a deliberate and necessary move. As he approached his final semester of university, the demands of balancing a bachelor thesis with work called for a role that offered both flexibility and opportunity. Starbucks became the perfect place to grow in unexpected ways.

Starting as a “Green Bean,” Wawas quickly immersed himself in the culture and values of Starbucks. This wasn’t just a job; it was a transformative experience. He embraced Starbucks’ ethos of connection and quality, and within a year, he had risen through the ranks to become a Coffee Master and, eventually, a District Coffee Master—a position achieved by only a select few in such a short time.

But for Wawas, it wasn’t just about making coffee; it was about creating moments. Each drink he crafted was an opportunity to share a story, build a connection, and leave a lasting impression. Behind the counter, he discovered the power of service done with heart and purpose. Wawas organized coffee-tasting sessions, delved into the intricacies of brewing techniques, and shared the nuanced flavor profiles of different beans, helping customers see coffee as more than just a beverage.

His leadership wasn’t confined to customer interactions. As a mentor to new baristas, Wawas instilled a dedication to excellence and a passion for creating meaningful customer experiences. He inspired his team to see their roles as opportunities to connect and inspire. Whether training others or creating memorable coffee moments for customers, Wawas viewed each interaction as a chance to make a difference.

This chapter in Wawas’s journey wasn’t just about mastering coffee; it was about mastering the art of leadership, connection, and storytelling. The lessons he learned behind the counter—balancing precision with creativity, passion with purpose, and service with strategy—became cornerstones of his approach to future roles. Through the simple act of pouring coffee, Wawas discovered how to pour meaning into every interaction, a philosophy that would continue to define his leadership style and professional ethos.

Brewing Connections Through Coffee Culture

PART-TIME BARISTA (GREEN APRON)

After deciding to leave his full-time role at Avigilon to focus on completing his bachelor’s thesis, Wawas Bangun joined Starbucks as a part-time barista. This transition provided him with the flexibility he needed to balance work with his studies during his eighth semester. Starting as a "Green Bean" with the Green Apron, he quickly immersed himself in Starbucks’ coffee culture and embraced the art of creating memorable customer experiences. At Starbucks, Wawas honed his customer service skills, mastering the fundamentals of coffee preparation and delivering each cup with pride and care.

PT. Sari Coffee Indonesia (Starbucks Indonesia) · Part-time · Jakarta, Aug 2018 - Nov 2018

PART-TIME BARISTA (COFFEE MASTER)

When Wawas Bangun earned the Black Apron and became a Coffee Master, something within him clicked. He started to truly fall in love with the coffee industry. Each day became an exploration into the world of coffee—from understanding intricate brewing techniques and tasting subtle flavor profiles to learning the unique stories that each bean held. The advice of seasoned mentors echoed in his mind: always give your best in whatever you do. This became his guiding mantra, inspiring him to make every drink an experience and every customer interaction a memorable one. Wawas poured his heart into each moment behind the counter, sharing his growing passion for coffee with everyone he met.

PT. Sari Coffee Indonesia (Starbucks Indonesia) · Part-time · Jakarta, Dec 2018 - Mar 2019

PART-TIME BARISTA (ADVANCE COFFEE MASTER)

Taking his passion to the next level, Wawas Bangun advanced to the role of Advanced Coffee Master. This position became a deep dive into the science and art of coffee. He studied complex brewing methods, refined his espresso craft, and developed a sensitivity to flavor notes that allowed him to appreciate and explain the subtle magic in every sip. Wawas found joy in guiding customers through the flavors, helping them connect to Starbucks’ world of coffee in a way they hadn’t experienced before.

PT. Sari Coffee Indonesia (Starbucks Indonesia) · Part-time · Jakarta, Jun 2019 - Jun 2019

PART-TIME BARISTA (DISTRICT COFFEE MASTER)

Wawas Bangun’s final step in this journey took him to the role of District Coffee Master, where he became a steward of Starbucks’ coffee excellence across multiple stores. This role was not just about brewing; it was about fostering a passion for coffee among new baristas, setting standards for quality, and building a shared coffee culture. Wawas held coffee-tasting sessions, conducted training, and mentored each team member to ensure they could deliver a cup of coffee that told a story. His goal was to make every store he touched a place where customers could feel Starbucks’ commitment to quality and connection. In just one year, Wawas went from a part-time barista to District Coffee Master—a journey that few achieve in such a short time. This rapid progression was more than just a career milestone; it was the fulfillment of a passion for giving his best, embracing every role with dedication, and sharing a love for coffee that went beyond the cup.

PT. Sari Coffee Indonesia (Starbucks Indonesia) · Part-time · Jakarta, Apr 2019 - Aug 2019