Careers to fall in love with
Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions any one can make, shaping their future and influencing their happiness and success.
“Careers advice should be informative, engaging, fun, and relevant to students’ lives. By linking career choices to real-world events like Valentine’s Day, we can make discussions about the future exciting and relatable.” says Sue Oakley Head of Careers advice at Overton Grange School.
Valentine’s Day is a day that everyone associates with flowers, chocolates, and cards. According to the Greeting Card Association, around 21 million Valentine’s cards will be sent this year. In the UK, consumers are expected to spend a staggering £1.37 billion on Valentine’s Day (Source: Forbes.com).
So, with all this money being spent on just one day, what are the top jobs associated with Valentine’s Day, how do you get them, and how much do they pay?
1: Card Designer – Salary range: £20,000 to £40,000
Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without heartfelt messages exchanged through beautifully crafted cards. A greeting card designer is an illustrator, artist, or designer who brings these sentiments to life. The designer comes up with the initial idea and works on the design, either drawing or painting those ideas by hand or using a computer program.
There is no official path to becoming a card designer, but a degree in art or design can be useful and may open up other design opportunities.
Facts:
Greeting cards are a leading British creative industry; the UK leads the world in innovative design and exports cards worldwide.
In 2019, the world’s oldest known Valentine’s card was sold at auction for £7,200.
The UK population sends more cards per capita than any other nation. (Source: The Greeting Card Association Annual Market Report)
2: Jewellery Designer – Average Salary: £28,000
Jewellery plays a significant role in Valentine’s Day, with many people buying necklaces, bracelets, and rings as gifts of love. A jewellery designer requires specific technical and design skills and must stay up to date with the latest fashion trends, as these influence jewellery design.
There are different routes into the industry, including a foundation degree in art and design, an apprenticeship, or a course in jewellery design. Jewellery designers need to be creative, have good attention to detail, and be able to communicate with their clients.
Facts:
An engagement ring is traditionally supposed to cost the equivalent of three months’ salary.
The cost of an average wedding exceeds £20,000.
Guests are willing to spend up to £100 on a wedding gift for someone very close to them.
It’s cheaper to get married in January than in May or June (Source: Statista)
3: Florist – Salary range: £22,000 – £28,000
Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be the same without flowers! Florists help people express their feelings through flowers, making this career essential to the romantic holiday. Florists need to be creative, have good attention to detail, and be strong communicators.
Becoming a florist in the UK doesn’t necessarily require formal qualifications, but it’s essential to have the right skills and knowledge to succeed. Many aspiring florists enrol in floristry courses offered by colleges. An apprenticeship is also another route into the industry, providing practical experience while earning money.
Facts:
There are 14,178 florist businesses in Britain, employing 20,751 people. (Source: IBISWorld)
Brits spend £261 million on flower bouquets on Valentine’s Day. (Source: The Valley Group)
40% of British women expect to receive flowers for Valentine’s Day. (Source: Statista)
4: Chef – Salary range: £22,000 to £40,000
A romantic dinner is one of the most popular ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, making chefs an essential part of the occasion. Whether creating a gourmet meal for two or preparing lavish desserts, chefs bring love to the table.
Chefs work in many different settings, including restaurants, cruise ships, hospitals, hotels, and holiday resorts, and can specialise in specific cuisines. But it’s not just about preparing food—chefs must inspire a team, manage budgets, interact with customers, and plan meals.
There are many different routes to qualifying as a chef. Some start as kitchen assistants and work their way up, learning on the job. Others pursue undergraduate degree courses or apprenticeships.
Facts:
There are around 250,000 chefs in the UK.
The UK has 123,395 restaurants, including pubs, takeaways, bars, and bakeries.
(Source: Office for National Statistics)
5: Chocolatier – Salary range: £25,000 – £30,000
Chocolate is the ultimate Valentine’s Day treat! Chocolatiers craft delicious confections that make this day extra sweet for many couples.
Working with chocolate requires specific skills and precise techniques. Chocolatiers must also understand different types of chocolate and the best approach for each.
Creating delicious chocolates is about knowing how to pair flavours and present chocolates in a way that appeals to customers. Chocolatiers often work closely with pastry chefs and other professionals to ensure high-quality products.
There are many different routes into the industry, from entry-level positions in the baking or dessert industry to college, degree courses, or specialised chocolate school programs.
Facts:
In 2022, there were 510 confectionery manufacturing enterprises within the UK. (Source: Statista)
A YouGov poll found Maltesers to be the most popular confectionery of 2024.
A significant 62% of consumers prefer milk chocolate for its smooth texture. (Source: Innova’s Overview of Chocolate Confectionery in the UK Report)
This Valentine’s Day, Overton Grange School is encouraging young people across the country to think about careers they will love, just as much as the people around them.
Whether it’s designing cards, crafting jewellery, arranging flowers, preparing gourmet meals, planning weddings, or creating delicious chocolates, these professions bring joy and creativity into people’s lives.
Clare Buxton, Careers Co-Ordinator at the school said: “When you choose a career that makes you happy, it’s more likely that you’ll find a group of co-workers you enjoy spending time with.
“Having a sense of community in the workplace feeds our natural desires for belonging, and it can help us create lasting friendships outside of work. When team members support and include one another, it creates a positive workplace environment.
“These are all key to long-term career success and happiness.”
Mrs Oakley agrees, she said: Loving what you do brings fulfilment, motivation, and long-term success, making work feel more like passion than obligation.
For more career advice, visit the National Careers Service website.