WEEK     JOB: FLORIST

LOCATION: EDMONTON, ALBERTA

EMPLOYER: BEST BUDS FLOWER COMPANY

WAGE: $23,950 YEAR [Source: BLS]

INDUSTRY IQ:

• Americans spend $20 billion on flowers each year.

• In North America, women account for 65 percent of fresh-flower purchases; 33 percent of these purchases are for themselves.

• In medieval and Victorian times flowers were used to convey messages depending on the composition and type of flowers—it was known as the “flower language.”

APPLICATION PROCESS: Robert Manolson, a career-development professional, called me. He was excited about the project and wanted to help by giving me some contacts in the Edmonton area. I sent emails to several of the businesses and heard back from Kim, the owner of Best Buds, who said she’d be happy to get involved.

WHAT I LEARNED: How to prepare a simple bouquet.

1. Sparsely position some of the small pieces (foliage, twigs), which will act as a foundation.

2. Then place the largest flowers; these will dominate the arrangement.

3. Place slightly smaller flowers to fill out the bouquet.

4. Last, use small foliage as accents.