Question for Recent Grads of Optometry

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Hey, I have a question for optometry students who just graduated from Optometry School or students who have graduated within the last 5-10 years or so....several questions actually!

1) How hard was it for you to find a job? What area do you live in? (since living in different parts of the US can make it more or less difficult to find jobs after graduation)

2) If you could optometry school all over again, would you? Why or why not?

3) What advice would you give to those students (whether high school, undergrad, or graduate) that are pursuing a career in optometry?

THANKS!

1) How hard was it for you to find a job? What area do you live in? (since living in different parts of the US can make it more or less difficult to find jobs after graduation)
- i live in so cal; surprisingly not extreme hard but i got kinda lucky. as far as other states go it's not really difficult to find a job but more tricky to find a good paying job in a place you'd want to live. but basically, everywhere is saturated out of their minds already. you will not find a full time job in so cal unless you have connections. i assume it'd be considerably, much, much more difficult as soon as WUSO starts graduating their classes this year.

2) If you could optometry school all over again, would you? Why or why not?
yes. haven't you hard, least stress most money (not really true).... it'd be nice if you don't have debt then yeah it's a nice job to have.

3) What advice would you give to those students (whether high school, undergrad, or graduate) that are pursuing a career in optometry?
don't do it unless you really love optometry or live outside of california.

g'luck : )

Damn, I am genuinely planning on moving to California when I'm done (have friends and family there). Has anyone else had any luck with jobs out there?

Originally Posted by BeesKnees22

Damn, I am genuinely planning on moving to California when I'm done (have friends and family there). Has anyone else had any luck with jobs out there?

Wow - if you have any intention of moving to CA after you graduate, I truly feel for you. You have absolutely no idea what you're in for. I know people who have been out of school for 8 years in CA, with disease residencies, and they have yet to find a permanent FT job. They work in multiple PT positions because that's all they can get.

Originally Posted by BeesKnees22

Damn, I am genuinely planning on moving to California when I'm done (have friends and family there). Has anyone else had any luck with jobs out there?

Also the fact that you're studying at a school OUTSIDE CA, leaves you at a disadvantage when networking and looking for jobs. Western sets us up with clerkships so we've already worked for PPs in the area. If you wanted to stay in CA, you should have considered a school in CA, I've heard there's a strong bias towards hiring CA grads.

I've actually never lived in CA, it's just that a lot of friends and family are now moving there. I honestly wouldn't care if I had a FT position or not. I've been hearing similar things for pharmacy about market saturation, and I know someone who just got a FT position as a pharmacist in CA with no connections coming from a mediocre out of state school. I mean, I'm not denying that it's extremely difficult. Everyone wants to live in a nice place, but I'm not expecting to come out with a FT job at the most prestigious place. Optomchick, I thought very seriously about Western U (I have no full degree, but a great GPA), but I was concerned with the pre-accredited status. Do you think that the accreditation will go through? If not, was I wrong to place so much emphasis on it? I'm starting to regret that I didn't at least apply to Western U.

Originally Posted by BeesKnees22

I've actually never lived in CA, it's just that a lot of friends and family are now moving there. I honestly wouldn't care if I had a FT position or not. I've been hearing similar things for pharmacy about market saturation, and I know someone who just got a FT position as a pharmacist in CA with no connections coming from a mediocre out of state school. I mean, I'm not denying that it's extremely difficult. Everyone wants to live in a nice place, but I'm not expecting to come out with a FT job at the most prestigious place. Optomchick, I thought very seriously about Western U (I have no full degree, but a great GPA), but I was concerned with the pre-accredited status. Do you think that the accreditation will go through? If not, was I wrong to place so much emphasis on it? I'm starting to regret that I didn't at least apply to Western U.

You really don't understand the situation in CA. It's far worse than even the optometry I describe. It's a different planet over there. Talk to some CA ODs - don't take my word for it. Talk to some ODs who have been out a couple of years there. The rates out there are abhorrent - ODs working for as low as $200/day and less, in some cases. You've got a state that's already jammed full of optometrists, with three schools pumping out ODs every year. It's beyond even what I complain about on this forum. If you want an OD and you want to move to CA? You might as well be hoping to win the Powerball.

Originally Posted by Jason K

You really don't understand the situation in CA. It's far worse than even the optometry I describe. It's a different planet over there. Talk to some CA ODs - don't take my word for it. Talk to some ODs who have been out a couple of years there. The rates out there are abhorrent - ODs working for as low as $200/day and less, in some cases. You've got a state that's already jammed full of optometrists, with three schools pumping out ODs every year. It's beyond even what I complain about on this forum. If you want an OD and you want to move to CA? You might as well be hoping to win the Powerball.

I would love to win the Powerball haha.

From what I gather, it's pretty saturated in a lot of fields out there. I mean I don't think that I could make 200/day as a struggling artist, and that's about my only other skill set/option. I'm at least trying to find some type of day job. If I said that I won't really have to worry about loans, would you guys still think that it's such a mistake? I also have a relative who is very high up with Lenscrafters, but I was never sure about working for that company. I don't know. I'm not someone who wants to have to use connections. I do work really hard in real life.

Originally Posted by BeesKnees22

I've actually never lived in CA, it's just that a lot of friends and family are now moving there. I honestly wouldn't care if I had a FT position or not. I've been hearing similar things for pharmacy about market saturation, and I know someone who just got a FT position as a pharmacist in CA with no connections coming from a mediocre out of state school. I mean, I'm not denying that it's extremely difficult. Everyone wants to live in a nice place, but I'm not expecting to come out with a FT job at the most prestigious place. Optomchick, I thought very seriously about Western U (I have no full degree, but a great GPA), but I was concerned with the pre-accredited status. Do you think that the accreditation will go through? If not, was I wrong to place so much emphasis on it? I'm starting to regret that I didn't at least apply to Western U.

If you wanted to practice in CA, then yes I think you should have applied to Western or SCCO or Berkeley. From what I've heard, Western has completed everything that the accreditation board has asked and is on their way to being accredited. How did you expect to network from the East Coast? There's always going to be lucky people, but I would look at the grads from Berkeley that are having a hard time finding PART-time work in CA...

Originally Posted by Optomchick

If you wanted to practice in CA, then yes I think you should have applied to Western or SCCO or Berkeley. From what I've heard, Western has completed everything that the accreditation board has asked and is on their way to being accredited. How did you expect to network from the East Coast? There's always going to be lucky people, but I would look at the grads from Berkeley that are having a hard time finding PART-time work in CA...

Heh, I'm not sure anymore, but I do thank you for your reply. I wish you the best of luck, but I think I'm going to quit these forums very soon. You said that you had a completely different outlook before this forum. Well, I think this board is starting to get a little foothold on me, and it's ultimately not healthy. Maybe I'll never network right and never get that job, but I think there's a definite slant on here. There is a huge thread in the pharmacy forum about no jobs for recent grads in CA. One of my best friends just got a full time job (and was offered others in a very specific region that he was looking for) in CA and he's also coming from the East with no connections from a mid-level school. It's really easy to get pulled into something like this message board, but it's one little world. You might want to head over to OD Wire, if you're not already there. I found many more positive people, and just many more posters overall. This profession has its problems, but so do other ones. I think that being realistic is the key to making this profession work. I'm not implying that I'm ungrateful for the time that people here have given me, but someone else said to me tonight on SDN that if I've already made up my mind to go for optometry, then there's no sense in sticking around such a negative place. I have to say that I agree.

Originally Posted by BeesKnees22

There is a huge thread in the pharmacy forum about no jobs for recent grads in CA. One of my best friends just got a full time job (and was offered others in a very specific region that he was looking for) in CA and he's also coming from the East with no connections from a mid-level school.

Pharmacy is not optometry. Both fields suffer from oversupply, but only optometry can get away with throwing scrap PT work at its graduates and forcing them to assemble a schedule, if they can. A pharmacy has a hard time staying open for a few hours a week. It needs someone to staff it every day, especially in a commercial setting, which is where most public pharmacies are these days. Commercial optical locations don't necessarily need an OD all week long. They can say "Well, we'll just throw a doc in the box a day or two per week and see how it goes." That's why new optometry grads get absorbed so easily. Don't be lulled into thinking that your pharmacy friend in CA is on the same plane as a new OD grad in CA. He's not.

If it were "really not all that bad," I wouldn't be on here. Ask yourself what would motivate someone like me to be on here. We gain nothing from keeping people out of optometry. We're on here because we got burned and don't want others to get duped the way we did. If you want to ignore our advice, that's fine, and it's your right, but as always......don't say you weren't warned. The day I realized that all the negative nellies were actually right was pretty depressing.

Originally Posted by BeesKnees22

I think that being realistic is the key to making this profession work.

@ BeesKnees22 - why don't you create a web survey, and post it over on different OD forums? Make it short (5 or 6 questions max) and anonymous, and see what kind of results you get. You should obtain as much info about the field as you can before you make a decision. Post the results of the survey online, so others can benefit from the knowledge.

I created such a survey for the PT folks, you can find it here:
http://www.surveymethods.com/EndUser...D8C190D1C0C79B
And the results are posted here:
http://dptfinances.wordpress.com/201...0/hello-world/
Register at surveymethods.com, it's free. Creating and launching a survey is pretty easy, using their dashboard.

And keep in mind that money is not everything in life. I am much older than you (probably more around Jason K's age - look at my profile and you can guess). Unlike most people born in this country, I have known hunger, and I have also had a six-fig income. Believe me, money ain't everything.

Originally Posted by BeesKnees22

Heh, I'm not sure anymore, but I do thank you for your reply. I wish you the best of luck, but I think I'm going to quit these forums very soon. You said that you had a completely different outlook before this forum. Well, I think this board is starting to get a little foothold on me, and it's ultimately not healthy. Maybe I'll never network right and never get that job, but I think there's a definite slant on here. There is a huge thread in the pharmacy forum about no jobs for recent grads in CA. One of my best friends just got a full time job (and was offered others in a very specific region that he was looking for) in CA and he's also coming from the East with no connections from a mid-level school. It's really easy to get pulled into something like this message board, but it's one little world. You might want to head over to OD Wire, if you're not already there. I found many more positive people, and just many more posters overall. This profession has its problems, but so do other ones. I think that being realistic is the key to making this profession work. I'm not implying that I'm ungrateful for the time that people here have given me, but someone else said to me tonight on SDN that if I've already made up my mind to go for optometry, then there's no sense in sticking around such a negative place. I have to say that I agree.

I've been on OD wire...I think the difference here is that you have a 3.9 GPA and my GPA is a 3.0 and I don't see it improving any with more classes. You could get into an MD program if you study hard for the MCAT, while I don't have many options since I want to be in the med field. I'm also hoping to have kids and work part-time when I'm older, which works well in the Optometry field. You've said many times that you're interested in real estate, my cousin is doing VERY well in that field, I would consider that as well. Just some thoughts.

The idea of getting an OD as a pathway into real estate is absolutely INSANE! I mean that in the very truest sense of the word. Looking at it from an outsider's perspective, it might seem perfectly logical, but I can guarantee you that just about any OD would say the same thing, young or old. It's just plain crazy. If someone wants to go into real estate, go get into real estate. The thought of busting your butt for four years, spending a minimum of 100K, and then getting out so you can work a PT as an OD while you get into real estate? Totally nuts. If that's the plan, you gotta really look at what you're doing.

Originally Posted by Jason K

Pharmacy is not optometry. Both fields suffer from oversupply, but only optometry can get away with throwing scrap PT work at its graduates and forcing them to assemble a schedule, if they can. A pharmacy has a hard time staying open for a few hours a week. It needs someone to staff it every day, especially in a commercial setting, which is where most public pharmacies are these days. Commercial optical locations don't necessarily need an OD all week long. They can say "Well, we'll just throw a doc in the box a day or two per week and see how it goes." That's why new optometry grads get absorbed so easily. Don't be lulled into thinking that your pharmacy friend in CA is on the same plane as a new OD grad in CA. He's not.

If it were "really not all that bad," I wouldn't be on here. Ask yourself what would motivate someone like me to be on here. We gain nothing from keeping people out of optometry. We're on here because we got burned and don't want others to get duped the way we did. If you want to ignore our advice, that's fine, and it's your right, but as always......don't say you weren't warned. The day I realized that all the negative nellies were actually right was pretty depressing.

I'm not sure what's keeping you here, but I think that overall boredom is a big problem. Anyway, this place isn't for me, as I have come to realize. I've found young people who sing a tune that is opposite from yours, not that I think you're lying or exaggerating, but this forum is small and negative. Oh well, I was looking for a place to BS with fellow students. This place has done nothing but bring down my mood. Every person experiences the profession differently. Take care, SDN. I hope that all of you find what you're looking for in life.

Originally Posted by jblil

@ BeesKnees22 - why don't you create a web survey, and post it over on different OD forums? Make it short (5 or 6 questions max) and anonymous, and see what kind of results you get. You should obtain as much info about the field as you can before you make a decision. Post the results of the survey online, so others can benefit from the knowledge.

I created such a survey for the PT folks, you can find it here:
http://www.surveymethods.com/EndUser...D8C190D1C0C79B
And the results are posted here:
http://dptfinances.wordpress.com/201...0/hello-world/
Register at surveymethods.com, it's free. Creating and launching a survey is pretty easy, using their dashboard.

And keep in mind that money is not everything in life. I am much older than you (probably more around Jason K's age - look at my profile and you can guess). Unlike most people born in this country, I have known hunger, and I have also had a six-fig income. Believe me, money ain't everything.

This is some very good advice. Thanks for your reply; I'll look into making the survey later tonight! It could be very interesting.

Originally Posted by pienfoo

1) How hard was it for you to find a job? What area do you live in? (since living in different parts of the US can make it more or less difficult to find jobs after graduation)
- i live in so cal; surprisingly not extreme hard but i got kinda lucky. as far as other states go it's not really difficult to find a job but more tricky to find a good paying job in a place you'd want to live. but basically, everywhere is saturated out of their minds already. you will not find a full time job in so cal unless you have connections. i assume it'd be considerably, much, much more difficult as soon as WUSO starts graduating their classes this year.

2) If you could optometry school all over again, would you? Why or why not?
yes. haven't you hard, least stress most money (not really true).... it'd be nice if you don't have debt then yeah it's a nice job to have.

3) What advice would you give to those students (whether high school, undergrad, or graduate) that are pursuing a career in optometry?
don't do it unless you really love optometry or live outside of california.

g'luck : )

Thanks so much for taking the time out to give your opinions/advice! Reason that I asked is mainly because I've talked to a few optometrists that have been out of school for some time and they all are saying relatively good things about optometry but, on the other hand, I'm hearing younger students say how it's declining and everything. I want to go to optometry school but I also want to be smart about an investment into the future. That's 4 years plus loans so I'm trying to get as much information as possible before committing....I live in The South by the way

California will be sliding off into the ocean before long. Don't know why everyone wants to move out there.

Originally Posted by Visionary

California will be sliding off into the ocean before long. Don't know why everyone wants to move out there.

Its all the silly TV shows.

Originally Posted by Visionary

California will be sliding off into the ocean before long. Don't know why everyone wants to move out there.

I enjoy wearing flip-flops year-round in the perfect 75 degree weather.