“People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us”, Iris Murdoch, British writer and philosopher, said. And who would argue? Indeed, we’re very lucky to have them around!
Looking from this perspective, people working with flowers must be among the happiest in the world. If this perspective you can get behind, a career in floristry might be a good fit for you. But how can you know for sure? And how do you get started?
First, let’s learn more about floral design and what it’s about.
What Does a Florist Do?
Basically, florists arrange flowers and other decorative plants. They make bouquets, wreaths, centerpiece elements, and other compositions using pre-formatted layouts as well as their original designs.
These compositions are most commonly used for ceremonies such as weddings, birthday parties, funerals, and in everyday life – as a sign of appreciation, attention, or affection. Flower and plant arrangements can also be used as design elements for premises – inside and outside.
Florists use pre-formatted layouts most of the time, but some highly professional ones can make compositions of their own design. This requires more time and costs more, so this service is a bit less popular.
Some florists also have a narrow specialization – there are wedding florists, interior floral designers and bouquet designers, for example. And if you perceive floral design as real art, you can try to take part in competitions and exhibitions for florists all over the world.
Where Do Florists Work?
Before online flower shops became a big deal, there was only one way for florists to work effectively: to open a flower shop. However, for more experienced and enterprising professionals, there was always an option to start working wholesale with retailers.
Today, there’s another popular option: starting an online flower shop. You can set up a site, a blog or just a social media account, and have lower expenses compared to an offline business. However, it’s still better to gain some experience offline first.
This profession is also good as a second job, or just as a hobby. It’s great for creative students who want a part-time job for the summer holidays. Becoming a professional requires time and experience, but you can make your first steps in a few months’ time!
Can Any Student Become a Florist?
Practically any student can have a career in floristry, provided that they have the following:
- Secondary education (high school diploma)
- Creativity
- Love for flowers and plants
- Good communicative skills
If you have all this, you could try out floral design for yourself. Of course, this is just the bare minimum for a beginner. If you want to really master the profession and start your own business in the industry, you should seek further education and gain experience.
Where to Study Floral Design?
There are various ways to become a certified floral designer. The easiest one is to complete an online course in floristry. There are a lot of them to choose from – just do an internet search. Most courses offer a complex program and a flexible schedule. You can study part-time and have tutor support.
If you have the time, the funds and the ambition, you could look into face-to-face courses or enroll in a program. Make sure you do lots of research on this so you can choose a florist school that suits your needs.
You can also choose not to seek any certification and try out the job first. This is the most popular and effective way into this field. If you’re a student, you’ve got a perfect chance to use your summer vacation months to get this done. You can try out a new exciting profession, and even if you decide not to pursue a full career in floristry, you’ll certainly enjoy the time spent in such beautiful surroundings.
There are lots of ways to find a florist job that’s entry-level. You can call the nearby flower shops and ask if they need an assistant. You can even start your career as a cashier or a courier. You’ll see the business from the inside and learn the things you’ll probably never be told about during courses.
To land the job, of course, you’ll need a resume and a really good cover letter. If flowers are your passion but words don’t come naturally to you, you can always get help with writing your cover letter at your local employment services center for free or you could hire an editor who specializes in resumes and cover letters.
If you have enough time, you can even try to combine an online course and work in a flower shop. This is the fastest way to learn the ropes and become a professional, but if you’re also going to school for another program, it’s really only possible if you’re on a break.
What’s Next?
As you see now, floral design is a profession that requires experience and personal disposition more than formal education and certification. You can become a florist very soon, but only if you have certain talents – 2-3 months can be enough for a start.
Still, education will be useful if you really want to pursue a full career in floristry, become a respected professional and start your own business.
Feature image: Andrea Piacquadio; Image 1: Daria Shevtsova
