specialization and employment

[jefguth]

---

Members do not see this ad.

It been mentioned a few times here that a willingness to specialize within a specific area such at vision therapy, pediatrics, specialty CT lens fitting. etc. can improve a new graduates employability.

Now my question: what would one do to actually specialize like this? Obviously a residency would help, but could an upper year student focus on an area or two of interest in their final years and develop the necessary skill to continue developing without oversight in a private practice?

thanks 🙂

 

[scott McGregor]

It been mentioned a few times here that a willingness to specialize within a specific area such at vision therapy, pediatrics, specialty CT lens fitting. etc. can improve a new graduates employability.

Now my question: what would one do to actually specialize like this? Obviously a residency would help, but could an upper year student focus on an area or two of interest in their final years and develop the necessary skill to continue developing without oversight in a private practice?

thanks 🙂

Jefguth
It is very difficult to come out of school a recognized specialist. You just can't get the exposure and complete all the varied coursework. Remember a specialist is someone that has a set of skills that the average OD in practice for years does not have, or does not want to undertake. Yes you can prepare however in school. A residency is a given in this age. While in school spend as much time as possible in the clinic that you choose to specialize. Expose yourself to as many cases as possible, learn by doing AND just observing. Take on extra cases while in school. If you are "required to fit 6 patients with gas perm lenses, fit 25 if you can. Ask professors if they have difficult cases that you can read the file or come observe their appointments/follow-up visits. Read everything you can find on your field. Upon graduation, get your Diplomate status from the AOA (pass the exam in your field). Join organizations that promote your specialization eg. COVD for Vision Therapy, Many Contact lens organizations exist. Also as a student you could express an interest in publishing a case along with a staff doc. Enlist their help, you do the background research and write the article with staff doc as editor. Submit it to the various trades and journals. Perhaps you'll be published and you will learn alot in the process. Basically "throw-yourself" into the field, make yourself available at any hour/time to go to the dept. at school to observe. Remember, calling yourself a specialist means nothing, its about what you can actually do that others can't or won't. School is a great place to start.

 

[jefguth]

Thanks for the advice Scott! I can't wait to get started 🙂

 

[scott McGregor]

Thanks for the advice Scott! I can't wait to get started 🙂

One other very very important point I forgot to bring up. During 4th yr. you will be given an opportunity to do outside externships. Be sure the locations you choose are in your chosen field of speciality. You can get "tons" of on-hands personal experience during these externships....provided you pick them carefully. Instead of location that "work-for-you", pick sites that will best expose you to your speciality. Most schools list extern sites by what they specialize in or just "general practice".