gather 'round children and I'll tell you my story
I started undergrad thinking I wanted to be a pharmacist. After working as a pharmacy tech for three years throughout high school and college I realized I would VERY quickly grow tired of pharmacy no matter how much it paid. Nothing against pharmacy or pharmacists... I just realized it wasn't for me.
Then, not knowing what I wanted to do... I changed my major to biochemistry.. graduated and started working in biotechnology. I worked for a small biotech company in San Diego for about a year and a half. I was at the same lab bench day in a and day out doing the same things, making the same stuff, talking to the same people, making crappy money. (less than 30k a year with a BS degree)
Finally, I'd had enough and started talking to people in my area about different careers. I wanted something where I could use my science and do something that changes every day. I interviewed my OD, my DDS, my MD, my OB/GYN, etc. The one that seemed to fit me the best was being an optometrist. I'd worn glasses or contacts since age 7 and all the ODs I talked to LOVED their jobs. They did tell the pros and cons but all of them said they couldn't see themselves doing anything else. Most of the dentists and MDs I found couldnt say that.
i quit my biotech job and slaved myself to an OD office for 10 bucks an hour to get experience and make sure this is exactly what I wanted to do! (no turning back once Im in)... so I worked for the ODs in the day time.. and finished pre-reqs at a local CC at night. I studied (independantly.. couldn't afford kaplan) for the OAT... took it.. did well... and got into 2 of the 3 schools I applied to. The only school I didnt get accepted to was UCBSO.
So, here I am.. about to start rotations and loving my job. yes, there are down sides. There are down sides to EVERY profession..
I don't feel bad that I can't perform surgeries.. I have no interest in doing it. yes, I had fun doing a PI on a rabbit yesterday, but that was just a cool new thing to learn (not something I'd want to do routinely) I like that i can watch my patients families grow up and do routine care. I'm not the person they to go just cuz they have a major problem. I enjoy primary care. But, it's not for everybody, and you have to do a lot of soul searching to realize where you'll be happy in the vast health care market.
make giant spread sheets of pros and cons and see where you'd be the happiest. Go from there.
hope this helps at least a little in your decision.. good luck! Feel free to come to me with any other questions you have about what OD school is like.
