Breaking into the coffee industry: a guided discussion into career pathways

Careers, Roles and Pathways in Coffee

In Chicago and curious about working in coffee but unsure where to start?

Whether you’re exploring a career change, entering specialty coffee for the first time, or looking to grow beyond barista work, this event will give you a clear, practical overview of the modern coffee industry.

In this guided discussion you’ll learn how the many sectors of the coffee industry work together, from cafés and roasteries to sourcing, quality, consulting, and business operations. We’ll explore the wide range of jobs available in coffee and discuss how professionals carve out sustainable, meaningful careers in this ever-evolving field.

Led by Chicago-based coffee consultant Scott Bufis, this session is designed to demystify the coffee industry and help you identify potential entry points based on your interests, skills, and goals.

What you’ll learn:

• An overview of the specialty coffee industry and how it functions
• Common and lesser-known coffee industry roles and career paths
• Entry-level vs. advanced coffee jobs (and how to move between them)
• Skills that translate well into coffee careers
• How to forge your own path in the coffee industry
• Resources for networking, learning, and professional development

This workshop is ideal for:

• Aspiring coffee professionals
• Baristas looking to grow their careers
• Career changers interested in specialty coffee
• Students and recent graduates
• Anyone curious about how the coffee industry really works

Your Host:

Scott Bufis is a Chicago-based coffee professional with over a decade of experience in the specialty coffee industry. His background includes roles with respected Chicago companies such as Intelligentsia Coffee, Yolk, Marz Community Brewing, and Big Shoulders Coffee. He currently works as a coffee and café consultant with Tradecraft Coffee & Tea, helping businesses improve quality, operations, and sustainability.

In 2020, Scott founded the Chicago Coffee Collective, an online community dedicated to sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities for coffee professionals across Chicago. He holds an MBA from National Louis University (2022), bringing both industry experience and business insight to coffee education.

Info: We will discuss the many sectors of the coffee industry and the roles that make up those sectors. Such as, Cafe/Retail, production, importing/exporting, wholesale, technical, marketing, distribution, products, and human resources.

Info: We will discuss how the sectors and roles that make up the coffee industry interact, work together, and how to move between them.

Info: We will discuss your own experience, skills, and interests to help you start building a path and identify potential starting points for within the coffee industry.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

1806 W Cuyler Ave, 1806 West Cuyler Avenue, Chicago, United States

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