Starbucks has made the bold move of offering an incredible education benefit for their partners: finish your undergraduate degree online, for free. This New York Times article thoroughly covers this announcement and some of the parameters of it. As a partner, if you’re working on your first undergraduate degree, have at least two years completed, and can apply and gain admission to ASU’s online programs, your tuition is free. (By the way, the partner featured on the Arizona State University page looks a lot like partner Leah R., a wonderful long-term partner whom I first met in 2009. Might not be her, but if not, she has a twin!).
Starbucks has long offered many more benefits than a typical retailer. Already, partners receive weekly mark outs (meaning a free pound of coffee or tea option), stock options, health care benefits, partner discounts, and free beverages during working shifts, and are protected by the Starbucks CUP fund. A partner who is passionate about the brand, and successful at the work skills, can promote too. There are enormous growth opportunities with Starbucks. Click here for the Starbucks online careers link.
Howard Schultz is oft quoted that he’s trying to build, “a different kind of company.” And Starbucks is in the “people business serving coffee.” This is more proof that the business is about their people and partner experiences too!
What an incredible opportunity for partners! Finish your degree online for free. Starbucks and Howard, I’ve no doubt many partners are thanking you.
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Yes, this is a very bold move. Now it is up to the Partners to use it.
I applaud Starbucks for this, I just absolutely love that they care so much about their partners! #keepitup
Thanks for the information Melody 🙂
WOW what an amazing gift to give to American partners. I am so impressed, can’t wait to see what Howard has to say tonight on the Daily Show tonight. A partner asked today in the forum if he needed a computer for the online learning would he be able to apply to the cup fund for it and Howard said to apply and the team would look into it. When this program comes to Canada I’d love to finish my business degree (I have an Education degree).
This makes me so proud #tobeapartner. This was the next step in my life, completing my degree. Simply amazing.
I think this is a great benefit for partners, but just curious will they open up the options to apply to other universities?
As a partner with a bachelors degree, I cannot take advantage of this “benefit”. A little help with my loans would certainly be appreciated or at least the opportunity to get a second degree! Oh well.
@Kristen – I can see how that would feel frustrating. This new benefit is tailored to a narrow segment of partners – because there are many partners who would like to continue some education even though they have a degree. But I do know some partners who will love this. Today as I got my morning drink, one of my favorite partners said to me, “Looks like I’m going to be a Sun Devil!”
I watched most of Howard on the Daily Show and at one point, Jon Stewart threw out the number that if even 3% of Starbucks’ work force takes advantage of this, then the cost to Starbucks would be at least 50 million dollars. And then Jon Stewart said to Howard, “You’ve got some Venti balls!”