Everyone loves flowers, but only a few can work with them and create magic. If you are one of those people or dream of becoming a florist, this article is for you.
Working with flowers demands a lot of creativity combined with skills. If you have the first, you need to obtain the latter before you can start doing this professionally. In this article, you’ll learn the steps that will help you become a great florist. Enjoy!
Is It Difficult to Become a Florist?
Studying for any career comes with its challenges. Don’t think that just because there’s no university for a student that wants to become a florist, this educational path will be simple. You’ll have to showcase amazing creativity, but also write endless essays and pass many exams. Thankfully, there’s a very useful tool that will help you handle the research paper you have due. Let’s say that you need to write about Cancel Culture. These are absolutely free essay about cancel culture that you can source your ideas from. Use these free examples to get inspired for your next paper.
Instructors are grading college papers rigorously and are very detailed about it, no matter what you study. You can think of this as a smart spell for good grades. Writing doesn’t come naturally to many students, and after all, you’re studying to become a florist – not a poet or an expert writer! If you want to keep those grades high and get good teacher comments for students’ writing.
Study Options for Future Florists
Are you ready to pursue this career? Let’s go through your options.
High School Education
The majority of florists don’t have college degrees. They have a high school diploma or possibly a GED. In high school, subjects like botany, biology, design, and art can provide you with the necessary skills to get started – and be hired as a florist. With a bit of practical experience and a lot of practice, you’ll become a great florist in no time!
Formal Education (Certificate, Associate, and Bachelor’s Degree)
Truth is, you don’t need a college degree to be a florist. But, if you want to get better and more acknowledged in your field, you can definitely pursue this path. Alternatively, you can study to obtain a certificate.
When looking for formal education in this field, look for programs licensed by your state and approved by the American Institute of Floral Designers or AIFD. The curricula in your courses or college programs can include subjects such as horticulture, crop care, outdoor foliage, interior plants, container arrangements, wedding design, design styles, etc. You’ll study the principles of floral design, the ways to arrange vases and containers, as well as how to manage your own floral shop one day.
There are tons of courses to help you with this career, too. You can go online and find hundreds of great videos and tutorials that will help you create everything from a corsage or a boutonniere to a funeral wreath.
If you want a highly acknowledged certificate, you might want to go for the Certified Floral Designer designation (CFD) issued by the AIFD. To earn this credential, you must fill out a form and complete a course. At the end of the course, you’ll be given a written exam that you need to pass, and you’ll also need to present your unique design.
Your job doesn’t end here. As you progress in your career, you must earn continuing credits to keep your certification. This ensures that the certified florists are working on their professional development in the field.
Practice and Training with Other Florists
The majority of florists prefer getting practical knowledge over traditional courses and college programs. If you are one of them, you can get a job with established, experienced florists that will show you how the job is done. Many employers look to hire recent high school graduates with a creative touch to help them in the stores.
Naturally, you can’t expect tons of money when you begin, but the on-the-job training might just be the most practical experience you’ll ever have in this field. You’ll get the chance to learn from someone that’s been doing what you love for a long time.
One Last Tip: Have Your Digital Portfolio
Whichever path you choose, you’ll create some floral arrangements that you are very proud of. They’ll showcase your creativity and unique touch, and these are the best tools to attract more people to your floral shop. Thanks to the digital world, now it is more than possible to promote your floral skills – to create a portfolio and use it to boost your career as a florist. Good luck!
