Considering optometry

[tlacey2323]

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I'm a prehealth undergrad thinking about several health science grad programs including dentistry, opto, audiology, etc. What is the best way for me to get a feel of what life as a practicing optometrist is like? Thanks for any help you guys give me!

 

[Loptometriste]

Shadow lots of optometrists and talk to them.

 

[tlacey2323]

Shadow lots of optometrists and talk to them.

Do i just cold call optometrists and ask them if I can shadow?

 

[eyesonme19]

Yes be very bold, teaching hospitals are willing as well as private practices I am unsure if walmarts/targets are willing or not. Just keep calling over and over be annoying and they will let you come in. It is great to observe and be able to ask questions as you think of them it is very helpful. I would do this for any of the careers you are considering.

 

[tlacey2323]

Yes be very bold, teaching hospitals are willing as well as private practices I am unsure if walmarts/targets are willing or not. Just keep calling over and over be annoying and they will let you come in. It is great to observe and be able to ask questions as you think of them it is very helpful. I would do this for any of the careers you are considering.

Sounds great. I'll make sure I'm persistent...

 

[Snakedoctor1]

Just keep calling over and over be annoying and they will let you come in.

I would not recommend this.

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

I would not recommend this.

Please never do that. Unless what you're after is an awful recommendation letter

 

[evorage]

Your best bet is to type up a resume with a nice cover letter to explain your career goals. Dress professionally and go in person to the office and ask if the optometrist is available. Be prepared to answer questions about yourself and your interests in optometry. Being persistent is ok but pestering an optometrist is a sure fire way to get a NO for an answer. Good luck. ( I work with an optometrist so I deal with shadowing requests a lot)

 

[Snakedoctor1]

If an Optometrist tells you he does not want to accept shadowing students, you should respect his/her request, and look for another OD to shadow. Imagine yourself in their situation. Not every patient is comfortable with someone else in the room, and the OD is probably concerned about patient experience. I don't think persistence is the answer.

 

[pebecavi]

It is great to observe and be able to ask questions as you think of them it is very helpful.

 

[roush137]

Are there any preprofessional clubs at your school. I learned a lot about optometry from jut a few meetings at our club. I had an optometry school at my undergrad though, so that helped a lot too.
Also, some conferences allow students. I attended an optometry conference and it was an amazing experience!
If you make a good contact with an optometrist in your area they might be able to make a suggestion.
Something else to consider would be to look up if there are clinical sites near you that have 4th year students. The optometrists working at those sites are usually very willing to accept shadowing students.