For those of you who were able to get a recommendation letter from an optometrist, how did you go about it? I'm currently trying to find a volunteer position or shadowing position with an optometrist, but it is really difficult so far. Very few doctors seem to be willing to let students shadow them and in Seattle, there are very few clinics that you can volunteer at. It would be extremely difficult finding a job with an optometrist because Im in school full-time, so that is really out of the question. Thanks!
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Recommendation Letter from An Optometrist
- Thread starter jct8
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I would like to add a question related to jct8's post. Please don't ignore his post.
I have very few optometrists in my town. Three optometry offices from the end of one city to the end of the neighboring two very small cities. I am not going to call them now since I am not going to shadow for a while, so this is just a "what if" question for future reference. What if I call and all three offices and all turn me down. Will it lower the chances of me getting into optometry school with no shadowing experience and no recommendation letter from an optometrist?
Note: I'm sure at least one of them will let me though because he is the president of the optometric association in my state.
Note: I will also be in the same position as jct8: I will have trouble working or shadowing with an optometrist because I will be a full time student. However, I can shadow or work in the summer. Do optometrists allow you to work (paid) for just three months in the summer?
Thinking aloud: I'm realy surprised that optometrists, especially young ones, would not let someone shadow because he or she was in the same shoes in the past and had to shadow. You'd think that they would understand.
I have very few optometrists in my town. Three optometry offices from the end of one city to the end of the neighboring two very small cities. I am not going to call them now since I am not going to shadow for a while, so this is just a "what if" question for future reference. What if I call and all three offices and all turn me down. Will it lower the chances of me getting into optometry school with no shadowing experience and no recommendation letter from an optometrist?
Note: I'm sure at least one of them will let me though because he is the president of the optometric association in my state.
Note: I will also be in the same position as jct8: I will have trouble working or shadowing with an optometrist because I will be a full time student. However, I can shadow or work in the summer. Do optometrists allow you to work (paid) for just three months in the summer?
Thinking aloud: I'm realy surprised that optometrists, especially young ones, would not let someone shadow because he or she was in the same shoes in the past and had to shadow. You'd think that they would understand.
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For those of you who were able to get a recommendation letter from an optometrist, how did you go about it? I'm currently trying to find a volunteer position or shadowing position with an optometrist, but it is really difficult so far. Very few doctors seem to be willing to let students shadow them and in Seattle, there are very few clinics that you can volunteer at. It would be extremely difficult finding a job with an optometrist because Im in school full-time, so that is really out of the question. Thanks!
A couple ideas for you:
1. The clinic I work as is really student-friendly, so I may be little help. But I would look for a part-time, once a week position. Phone or go to visit the optometrist offices that are open Saturdays because a lot of the staff may be looking to be relieved of their Saturdays (for children, etc.). I'm a full time student and I'm working one Saturday a week (9am-5pm) when in school and close or at full-time hours during school breaks. Some practices need students or people willing to work those weekend hours.
This job has given me the opportunity to shadow, learn various things about the practicing world and of course reference letters.
2. Do you have an optometrist? If not, how did you find out about the practice and that you really want to do this? If you have one, phone him/her up and ask them! If you're due for an exam, book yourself in and during the exam, let the optometrist know that you are interested in eye care. Most optometrists (every single one I've met) would likely be excited to hear that students are interested in the profession.
All in all, optometrists seem to be the happiest/nicest and post approachable health care practitioners. At least that holds true where I'm from.
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Also, when you call to shadow, suggest just coming in for a whole or half day. Some doctors may worry about having to commit to seeing you once a week for several months, because they may not have the time. But I would bet most people would let you come in for a day.
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I see that many people shadowed a few months or worked for a year or so.
How do you bring that up to the optometrist? Or do you only shadow for a day and hope that you get hired? Is it just luck? I don't want to sound pushy to them like "hey, can I shadow for a few months".
How do you bring that up to the optometrist? Or do you only shadow for a day and hope that you get hired? Is it just luck? I don't want to sound pushy to them like "hey, can I shadow for a few months".
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I see that many people shadowed a few months or worked for a year or so.
How do you bring that up to the optometrist? Or do you only shadow for a day and hope that you get hired? Is it just luck? I don't want to sound pushy to them like "hey, can I shadow for a few months".
During the day, when a patient does't show up or that contact lens exam spot is free, you ask the doctor something to the tune of: "I was wondering if your office employs students part-time? I have been really interested in the profession and am wanting to learn each and every aspect it offers."
Thanks for all the replies so far! If I were to get a job with an optometrist, how do you go about getting to know them well enough for a letter of rec. Some of my friends who work at opt. offices don't ever really interact with the doctor on a regular basis (they do most of their work at the front desk).
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From what I've heard, most schools will not accept you if you have not had some type of exposure to the optical field. They want to see that you know what you're getting yourself into. I think the shadowing experience is a key part of the whole experience. You start from the bottom and work your way up. Most Optometrists are willing to let you shadow, you just have to be bold enough to ask them.
