Should I work as an optician?

[TreeofRoses]

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Hey everyone, I'm currently in undergrad and I'm considering getting a job as an optician to gain a better understanding of the field of optometry. However, I'm a little worried about whether or not I'll like the job.
I know a guy who told me that he hated being an optician but he still wanted to go into optometry.

So would anyone know if working as an optician is anything like being an optometrist (does it prepare you for being a dr, is it good experience in the field, etc)? If I get the job and decide I don't like it, or if I'm not good at it, should I reconsider my decision to go to optometry school?

Also, we don't need certification to work as an optician where I live. The guy I previously mentioned was hired on the spot without any experience in the field. So any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[pawsandpotatoes]

I think working as an optician would be a great experience, it will give you a leg up if you decide to pursue optometry. You will gain a lot of knowledge about lens materials, bifocal placement etc. which I have heard will be helpful in optometry school. If you have not already shadowed several optometrists, you should, because being an optician and being an optometrist are two very different careers. Hope this is helpful!

 

[Rain Clouds]

Yes, do it if you can. Being an optician isn't really like being an optometrist, BUT you can get a lot of helpful experience and knowledge. For one, you (usually) have an optometrist as a boss, which can translate into having a lot of knowledge and experience right there in the office with you as you are applying to schools and looking at different aspects of the profession. Another plus is getting a lot of experience working with patients and working on your customer service skills. And another plus is being able to see how an office runs and how you might want to run your own one day. So if you can, why not?

 

[mathcod]

In my opinion, if you choose to be an optician to gain insightful experience, it would only be worth it to do so in private practice and not in commercial optometry.