by Jan Walker

Created on: February 23, 2009

Art was my absolute passion at school, so it was no surprise to me that at the predetermined visit by a tweed suited careers officer, i uttered the words ' I would like to be a Fashion Designer. The small box containing white square cards did not of course contain such crazy ideas. After all this was a small Derbyshire town, miles from the wonders of London, where she stated i would have to gain my knowledge from. But it was her words ' Of course, you must be a very good artist. that sealed my fate and headed me down the administrative path. You see, i was an under confident ,shy and passive schoolgirl and although i was top of my class in the subject of art, i suppose in the new and seemingly harsh realities of a 'new' world outside my small town, i would be just a speck of creativity.

Over the years i typed many letters for many companies, In the seventies i became one of the computer liderterates, good money but hated every minute of it.

Then in my mini skirted form i became a window dresser for a major high street department store in the town. Oh, how i loved it!. From choosing the bedding for display to pictures and mirrors, being cajoled by the passing students. I realised this creative streak running through me was not going to be dulled down by a career of predicable jobs.

However, due to circumstances i became involved in social care and i realised that i had a talent for vulnerable people, I gained relevant qualifications and progressed through to management. The company i worked for changed and so did the infrastructure. I became disillusioned by their ideas and felt that clients were not their first priority.

It was a local advert for a shop up for sale 90 miles from London. A florist shop, i had dabbled over the years doing bits and pieces for friends and family, but here was the opportunity i knew would fulfill my creative needs.

I became the designer florist in the town near London, i demonstrated for companies, had one or two famous faces have stunning arrangements from my team. My specialism was in the design of everything from weddings bouquets to corporate events.

It had taken 34 years to get to my end goal of being a creative person, maybe not in the fashion industry, but i make up for that in my own fashion creativity for myself.

So my advice is never give up on wanting that job in that industry. You may take a different route and the role may be a diluted version, but fulfillment is key here.

To that tweed suited careers officer, i don't blame you, you were only doing your job!.

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