OCCUPATION: MALL DECORATOR/INSTALLATION SUPERVISOR

Name: Wydale Silversmith

Company: Dekra-Lite Co.

Thumbs up: “The main thing I like is completing a job and having people admire my work; I like talking with shoppers who are fascinated by the decorations. It’s just a great job because sometimes I’m indoors, sometimes I’m outdoors. I like the variety of people I meet. The owner is great--it’s a cool company.”

Thumbs down: “Unfortunately, it’s only seasonal work. I wish I could do decorations year-round.”

Next step: “You can start your own company decorating homes.”

Advice: “Be very punctual, be a fast, hard worker and be able to meet deadlines. The main thing is satisfying the mall management. Electrical and heavy machinery knowledge is good, a lot of creativity helps and you can’t be afraid of heights, because you’re up on scaffolds and ladders.”

Salary range: Installers earn $7 to $9 hourly; supervisors $9 to $13 hourly.

Hours: During peak season, 40 to 65 hours weekly; off-season, 20 to 30 hours weekly.

Educational and training requirements: Must have at least a high school diploma. According to owner Jeff Lopez, Dekra-Lite Co. has a two-day training program. “Our lighting is very different,” he said, “so the first day is spent in the shop learning about safety, electricity and on how we like to hook up the lights; the second day is on-the-job training.”

Size of work force: Very small. In Orange County, about 125 people.

Expected demand: Lopez indicates that the industry is in a very strong growth period: “We expect to increase our business by about 50% next year.”

Job description: Mall decorators install and eventually disassemble all types of holiday decor: trees, lights, candy canes, Santa displays. They also assemble displays and lighting on private residences and boats and put up pole decorations for cities.

Major employing industries: Exterior and interior decorating firms.

For information: Call Linda Scogin, director of operations at Dekra-Lite (714) 436-0705.