do i have anything to show for it?

[KASALAPIC]

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Hi everyone

I have been interning at a docs office for over a year now and I don’t feel like I have learned anything. I know this sounds bad but its the truth, aside from a very nice LOR, I have nothing to show for it. I have been inside the exam room maybe once. I’m afraid that I will have nothing to talk about at the interview. Yes I can go online and read up some stuff to say but its just not the same and the interviewer will be able to see right through me. I can’t leave the office. I love everyone there, the doc is extremely nice. Any suggestions or has anyone been in a similar situation?? Please share!!

 

[08hopeful]

I worked at a LensCrafters for about 10 months and have been working in a private practice since November. I've had very little exam room exposure, but I'm not as worried about that. That's what optometry school is for. For me, the stuff I've taken from my experiences is a much better ability to converse and deal with complete strangers. I've had to deal with a lot of interesting people, some good some bad, but they've all helped me with my interpersonal skills. When you throw in the fact that the conversation generally has to do with their eyes I feel I've gotten very valuable experience. Things like coaching a first time progressive wearer or explaining to some kid that not taking out his contacts since September might be why his eye is burning might seem trivial at the time but I think are very important and will show that I haven't just been answering phones. I've also been able to see the nuts and bolts of a successful optometry practice which I feel will help me immensely when I try to open my own, especially dealing with insurance.
Hope this helps!

 

[Tortugabebe]

I encourage you to visit several more practices before your interview. If you are looking for things to talk about, you may want to do shadowing instead of a job or internship. I'm sure this depends on the practice, but both of the above statements indicate little exam room exposure which is where you will be spending practically all your time as an optometrist! Through shadowing, I spent ALL of my time in the exam room, and had LOTS to talk about in the interview...Just call someone up, and get in there!