How to Be a Florist
Those who choose floriculture as a career have a wide choice of training and education programs. On-the-job training, community colleges, floral design schools and four-year colleges across the United States offer different programs that prepare you to be a florist.
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Things You'll Need
- High school diploma or equivalent (for many training programs)
- Costs (ranging from $500 for a workshop to more than $13,000 a year at a four-year college)
Instructions
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Careers
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Floristry, the handling and design of flowers for special occasions such as celebrations, weddings and funerals, can be traced to ancient times. When scientists opened a 3,000 year old tomb they found laurels of ancient flowers that had been prepared for the burial, according to an article in National Geographic.
Floral arrangements are now sold in retail shops, online, in grocery and discount stores and catalogs. Americans spend $67 per capita on floral products. The Society of American Florists reported $20 billion in annual floral sales in 2008.
Currently no states require a florist to be licensed, but the high demand for flowers and design services also means a demand for quality florists. The American Institute of Floral Designers offers a national certification.
Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related supplies to professionals in the industry. Retail florists offer fresh flowers and related products and services to consumers.
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Evaluate whether being a florist is the right career for you. The Society of Florists in the United Kingdom lists these skills as requirements for florists: creative and artistic; understanding of principles of color, shape, design and display; handle and identify flowers and greenery; deal with the public and customer demands; work with hands; work as part of a team and get on well with other staff; grasp business management skills; handle money and budget; able to work under pressure.
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Choose the training program that fits your needs. If college is not for you, check with local greenhouses and florists to see if they are willing to offer on-the-job internships.
On-the-job training and floral design academies have no minimum education requirements. Fees for programs vary depending on the length and degree offered. A two-week program at a design academy might run from $500 to $1,000 or more.
Some business owners prefer to hire someone with minimal experience and train her on the job. Other business owners might offer apprenticeships to a new graduate from a design school or college.
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Evaluate training programs at local two-year colleges. For those who prefer to have formal training but need to attend part time or don't want a bachelor's degree, a two-year college might be the right fit.
Programs at community colleges often include business classes to help florists run their own business. Basic floral design, advanced design using exotic flowers, and European or modern design classes also are part of the curriculum. Merchandising and display skills are essential for florists working in a retail store.
Community and junior colleges require a high school diploma, though many allow high school students to enter the floriculture program before they graduate. Some of these schools offer nine-month certification programs and two-year degrees in floriculture.
Average tuition costs, including room and board, for public two-year colleges in the United States, are $6,966, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
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Four-year college degrees are not required for florists wanting to own a store or work in a retail environment. But students who want to work in horticulture, landscaping and specialized design can choose to earn a four-year degree.
Four-year colleges and universities require a high school diploma, and most have specific grade point average and other admission requirements.
Average tuition at a four-year college is $13,426.
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Evaluate goals. Being a florist can be a rewarding career, but the work can be stressful and hard. Median salaries for florists are $24,510, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry reports a high turnover rate.
Florists who own their own shops fare better. According to the American Society of Florists, there are approximately 26,200 retail florist shops in the United States, with an average of $250,191 in annual sales.
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Tips & Warnings
Talk to a florist about the career. Take basic business courses if you plan to open your own shop.
Florists work long hours, especially before holidays. Florists are required to be on their feet for hours. Dealing with demanding customers can create stress.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit courtesy of Morguefile.com
