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Looking for a job/shadowing?
Started by starlitetears
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As far as shadowing goes, I would start by just calling docs in your area. ODs, in my experience, are all generally helpful people, I'd be suprised if any turn you away.
I started shadowing at several practices in preparation for opt school. For some practices it was a little awkward for me there and I knew that they didn't need my help. At another, it was clear that they liked having me around. After a few times shadowing I talked to the doctor about working there, I offered to be paid next to minimum wage. In return he brought me on and treated me like the pre-opt student I was and not like the other employees (pulling me into the exam room to observe interesting patients etc.).
Anyways, my suggestion is to shadow at several practices, find a place you like, get to know the Doc a little bit, and offer to work there for cheap. You are after the knowledge/experience, not the money.
I started shadowing at several practices in preparation for opt school. For some practices it was a little awkward for me there and I knew that they didn't need my help. At another, it was clear that they liked having me around. After a few times shadowing I talked to the doctor about working there, I offered to be paid next to minimum wage. In return he brought me on and treated me like the pre-opt student I was and not like the other employees (pulling me into the exam room to observe interesting patients etc.).
Anyways, my suggestion is to shadow at several practices, find a place you like, get to know the Doc a little bit, and offer to work there for cheap. You are after the knowledge/experience, not the money.
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but whenever i call i get the receptionist/front desk lady...and they always say no..we are not looking for volunteers/interns/help...what should u do then?
When I was looking for experience I just emailed as many offices as I could find in the area. I googled to find every office in the area and somewhere on the website was some kind of way to contact them. Sometimes I had to fill out the message box as if I was a patient. I just told them my situation, that I was a pre-optometry student looking to get some experience. Some places did not respond, some said they were not hiring and a few asked to meet me. You are sure to find a doc who is willing to help out, they were there once before too and know that you need experience to get into school. The doctor that hired me was fully staffed but said he would love to help out someone who is wanting to get into the business. At first all I did was call people to tell them that their glasses were ready. I did that for probably the first 6 months! But by the time I left I was a fully trained tech and did all the pretesting and was also trained in optical, adjusting, fixing, and dispensing glasses.
Your best bet may be to visit prospective offices in person. Go in, introduce yourself and explain the situation. Since experience is what you are looking for right now, I would start off asking to shadow...even if it's just for one day a week. Shadowing could eventually turn into a job, but getting an inside look at the profession is the important part! I bet you'll be able to find an OD that would be happy to accommodate you.
I was lucky enough to get a job with a retinal disease optometrist and he offered it to me after I shadowed him twice. I'd start with getting to know them by shadowing and letting them see you're serious. Good luck!
