It was alright. - Student Worker Aramark Employee Review

Working as a Lead Barista has been a rewarding experience that has helped me grow both professionally and personally. The role has strengthened my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills while allowing me to mentor and support team members. I enjoy creating positive customer experiences, managing daily operations, and ensuring high standards of quality and service. The fast-paced environment has taught me how to multitask effectively, stay organized, and work under pressure. This position has also provided valuable experience in training staff, inventory management, and team collaboration. Overall, being a Lead Barista has been an excellent opportunity to develop skills that are transferable to leadership and project management roles.

While being a Lead Barista has provided valuable leadership and customer service experience, the role can be challenging at times. The fast-paced environment often requires managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously, including customer service, beverage preparation, inventory management, and team support. Staffing shortages and high customer volume can create stressful situations, especially during peak hours. The position also requires long periods of standing, frequent lifting, and maintaining energy throughout the shift. Additionally, balancing leadership responsibilities with daily operational tasks can be demanding, particularly when addressing customer concerns or training new employees while meeting service expectations

Working at Aramark Facility Services was genuinely a great experience for me, especially as my first “big girl job.” The pay was strong, the role was 100% remote, and my district manager was truly amazing to work with. I also had a great team who made the day‑to‑day enjoyable. The work itself was never boring — every day brought something new, and no two days ever looked the same. I also had occasional travel opportunities, which I enjoyed. Over time, I built valuable connections with suppliers across different industries, which helped me grow professionally. I took the lead on a alot of big projects that I did not have the chance to do at my past roles. Also, you get to take the chance to own your own work and be a leader in MANY projects. The flexibility was a huge plus. As long as you got your work done, management didn’t micromanage how you did it. The benefits package was top tier, especially the insurance. Overall, I gained a lot of experience, confidence, and industry knowledge during my time here.

The biggest challenge wasn’t Aramark — it was the client. The client I supported was extremely difficult to work with, and the communication barriers made the job more stressful than it needed to be. Some individuals on the client side were not easy to collaborate with, and that dynamic definitely set the tone for the role. Another thing to be aware of is that when a client’s business needs change, the organization may restructure, which can sometimes lead to layoffs. Restructuring happens fairly often, so job security can feel uncertain depending on the account you’re assigned to. Bottom Line: Aramark itself is a great place to work — supportive managers, strong pay, great benefits, and tons of learning opportunities. Just know that your experience will heavily depend on the client you’re assigned to. With a good client, this job is amazing. With a difficult one, it can become draining. Overall, I’m grateful for the experience and the growth I gained here.