Sophie Talling, Studio Manager for Petalon Flowers

My name is Sophie Talling and I am currently working as a Studio Manager for Petalon Flowers.

I left Newquay Tretherras in 2016 after completing both GSCEs and A-levels (at the NT Sixth Form).

For my work experience in Year 10, I spent the week in a reception class at Trenance Infants School.

This hasn’t influenced my career choices but gave me a bit more of an insight into the working world. Since leaving, I have graduated from Falmouth University with a degree in Sportswear Design. I decided to follow this career path when studying my A-levels as DT Textiles had been my favourite subject throughout my time at school.

I graduated from Falmouth a year ago but, I knew that I didn’t want to go straight into my ‘career’ job so, I came home and went back to my seasonal summer job working in one of the local hotels. Over the winter, I went out on a ski season and worked in a hotel in a French ski resort which was a great experience. Unfortunately, my season was cut short due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and I was sent home a Month early, just in time for the UK lockdown.

Over the time spent in lockdown, I started making and selling sea glass jewellery on Etsy. I carried on with this until discovering a job at Petalon Flowers. I am mostly working to manage all the orders and get deliveries out the door, but have also learnt how to make bouquets and floristry is a skill may find useful in the future. I am currently working here whilst finding some time to carry on with my jewellery business as a hobby on the side.

In the future, I am hoping to use my degree to find a career in Sportswear design, but I am aiming to go travelling first!