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An expert operator of an espresso coffee maker is a “barista,” which is Italian for a bartender. In Italy as well as other parts of Europe, a barista is considered a career position, often with skills - such as being able to grind espresso coffee beans - and training passed down from generation to generation.
In other parts of the world, the job of the barista has been frequently seen as an employment choice for young people, one to get them started in employment, but is not seen as a career choice. As a result, many coffee shops have moved to fully automatic espresso machines which allow a minimally-trained employee to create an espresso drink by merely pushing a button.