What job can I get as an undergrad?

[mupreopt]

I'm 24. I am an undergraduate/pre-optomertry student.
I've never had a job because I was busy with my studies.
I am needing to get a job. I don't want to get a low job like fast food. I would rather work in a school bookstore. But I also want a medical related job. I am an pre-optometry student. I don't know what medical related job I could get as an undergraduate science major. I've heard of some students who work in a pharmacy. Here are some of the questions running through my mind.

Will a pharmacist hire me since I am not a pre-pharmacy major?
Do most science/pre-med/optometry/etc. majors work in a medical related job while in undergraduate school?
Will working in a pharmacy give me any experience towards an optometry that I won't get with a regular job such as working in a bookstore?
What medical related jobs are there for undergraduate students (other than optometry assistants, etc.)?
I always see people in white coats working in a Wal Mart optometry office. Can I get a job as one of those people or do I need a degree for that?

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[pienfoo]

Will a pharmacist hire me since I am not a pre-pharmacy major?
no, they don't care if you're planning to become a pharmacist; actually, the majority of the clerks and techs who work at a pharmacy do not plan to go to pharmacy school. you need to pass the tech license to become a pharm tech, but you don't need a degree to become a clerk. most students pursuing pharmacy, however, do work at a pharmacy to get experience and an edge in their application. therefore, as a pre-optometry student, you should not work at a pharmacy if you have already decided on pursuing optometry. duh. good luck explaning that to the adcoms.

Do most science/pre-med/optometry/etc. majors work in a medical related job while in undergraduate school?
most applicants applying to various pre-professional schools will have worked/interned/shadowed in a relatedjob to make sure they know what they're getting themselves into.

Will working in a pharmacy give me any experience towards an optometry that I won't get with a regular job such as working in a bookstore?
No.
working in a pharmacy is a pretty "regular" job, i don't see what makes it so special. working at a bookstore, pharmacy, or burger king will not help you get the experience you need to pursue a career in optometry. Even if you do work in a optometry related job, you'll need to expose yourself to more than one optometry setting to get a better understanding of the field.

What medical related jobs are there for undergraduate students (other than optometry assistants, etc.)?
medical sanitary technitian

I always see people in white coats working in a Wal Mart optometry office. Can I get a job as one of those people or do I need a degree for that?
those "white-coated" people can either be optometric assistants w/o a degree or certification, opticians who are certified by the ABO, or optometrists.

 

[mupreopt]

I would like to add to my original post that at this point in time and my situation, I am needing a job that pays. I am currently looking for a job. So shadowing an optometry at this time will not guarantee me pay.

You mentioned medical sanitary technician. Is that one of those people who sanitizes medical equipment? I live 20 minutes from the city but there is a VA hospital on a hill (don't know why they decided to stick on there rather than in the city). In fact I can see it from my bedroom. Maybe I should get a job there. It's only a 5 minutes drive or less from my parents/my house (probably 3 -4 miles away).

 

[Jenboo23]

be a flight attendant.
it is the best summer job ever and best (starting) paying job you'll get with (or without) a science or arts degree, ANNND you'll even have enough time to shadow at an optometrist 🙂

 

[pienfoo]

sorry i was being sarcastic w/ the "medical sanitary technician", i don't think such a job title exists. haha.

specifically, i think it'd be difficult to explain to the adcoms that you worked for a pharmacy because you wanted a job that pays well, especially after you've graduated or are preparing to apply to optometry schools. Pharm clarks get paid $10-12 on average, and the same goes for optometric assistants. Many students choose optometry because they didn't make it into med, dental, or pharm schools and may use optometry as a back-up, and this is of course not looked upon positively by the optometry adcoms. Since this is not your intention, why corner in yourself by discrediting your sincerity for optometry by working for a pharmacy, while you have so many other choices that'll give you the same level of income? There are a variety of jobs that'll pay your bills. While I was in undergrad, I worked for a fundraising company, a research firm, a quit smoking center, and now im teaching piano full time. so there are alot of jobs out there you can try out, but i think working for a pharmacy specifically is not going to do you much good in getting into optometry school, unless you're very confident about your grades and OAT scores. just my 2 cents. g'luck !

 

[KHE]

I would like to add to my original post that at this point in time and my situation, I am needing a job that pays. I am currently looking for a job. So shadowing an optometry at this time will not guarantee me pay.

You mentioned medical sanitary technician. Is that one of those people who sanitizes medical equipment? I live 20 minutes from the city but there is a VA hospital on a hill (don't know why they decided to stick on there rather than in the city). In fact I can see it from my bedroom. Maybe I should get a job there. It's only a 5 minutes drive or less from my parents/my house (probably 3 -4 miles away).

Good jobs for college students are waiting tables or tending bars...good money and usually a lot of "cash under the table."

 

[zyg0te]

I'm 24. I am an undergraduate/pre-optomertry student.
I've never had a job because I was busy with my studies.
I am needing to get a job. I don't want to get a low job like fast food. I would rather work in a school bookstore. But I also want a medical related job. I am an pre-optometry student. I don't know what medical related job I could get as an undergraduate science major. I've heard of some students who work in a pharmacy. Here are some of the questions running through my mind.

Will a pharmacist hire me since I am not a pre-pharmacy major?
Do most science/pre-med/optometry/etc. majors work in a medical related job while in undergraduate school?
Will working in a pharmacy give me any experience towards an optometry that I won't get with a regular job such as working in a bookstore?
What medical related jobs are there for undergraduate students (other than optometry assistants, etc.)?
I always see people in white coats working in a Wal Mart optometry office. Can I get a job as one of those people or do I need a degree for that?

Wow, 24 and never had a Job?

Can you define what a "low job" is?

I don't mean to sound like an ass or anything, but you come off as being really immature.

Do your research, and call around. If you want a job to make some money, take what you can get. If you have any social skills, do like KHE said and get a job as a waiter or something. I have friends who will sometimes pull in ~300 a night in tips. You may need to start off as a busser and move up.

However if you are serious about optometry, you could try getting a job as an optician. I don't see why you would waste your time specifically looking for a non-optical "medical" job. You don't need to be ABOC (atleast here in CA) to be an optician. Get a resume together and contact a few ODs. Show them you are quick to learn, interested in optometry, and are willing to stick with them for a couple years (however many you have left in undergrad). This would be the win-win situation. You get experience in the optical field, and get paid. Plus most places aren't open on the weekends so you could moonlight as a waiter on the weekends if you really need the cash.

 

[JMU07]

Work for an optometrist. That's what I've been doing the past year or so.

 

[mupreopt]

Work for an optometrist. That's what I've been doing the past year or so.

That's what I would love to do. I'd probably do it in a heartbeat. But my situation does not permit me at the moment.

First, due to my current financial situation, I need a job now. There is no gaurantee that I will get a paying job working for an optometrist.
Also, I live in a small town which means less optometrists, which may mean less chance of getting the job. Plus the optometrist may already have someone workign for them.
My next situation is that have no transportation because my parents work all day. I have no car. I don't have public transportation because they don't come out my way (I live away from the city). So I am considering getting a job at a school bookstore, which I can just stay in the library on campus until it's time to work. Then I can just work, get off shift, study in the library, and then wait to be picked up in the evening.

 

[EyeGotIt]

There is no gaurantee that I will get a paying job working for an optometrist.
Also, I live in a small town which means less optometrists, which may mean less chance of getting the job. Plus the optometrist may already have someone workign for them.

You're not going to find a job on here. Why don't you pick up the phone and call the optometrists in the area? You can't just assume none of them want any extra help. If you are doing actual work for them, I'm sure most optometrists would compensate you.

 

[zyg0te]

That's what I would love to do. I'd probably do it in a heartbeat. But my situation does not permit me at the moment.

First, due to my current financial situation, I need a job now. There is no gaurantee that I will get a paying job working for an optometrist.
Also, I live in a small town which means less optometrists, which may mean less chance of getting the job. Plus the optometrist may already have someone workign for them.
My next situation is that have no transportation because my parents work all day. I have no car. I don't have public transportation because they don't come out my way (I live away from the city). So I am considering getting a job at a school bookstore, which I can just stay in the library on campus until it's time to work. Then I can just work, get off shift, study in the library, and then wait to be picked up in the evening.

Be a man of action. Seems like you already have some sort of a plan, don't waste your time on the computer and get out there and find a job.

Also, no guarantee that the optometrist will pay you for working a job? There is a Fair Labor Standards Act, they would be in violation of it and you could report them to the department of labor.

Do or Don't. Grow up and stop making excuses.

 

[mupreopt]

Also, no guarantee that the optometrist will pay you for working a job? There is a Fair Labor Standards Act, they would be in violation of it and you could report them to the department of labor.

I just assumed that it would be considered volunteering. Or that you start off shadowing/volunteering. Volunteers don't get paid.

 

[JackCM]

Call every optometry office in and around where you live. Ask if they have any job openings. You'd be surprised at the success you will have with that... I did just that and already have a few job prospects for when I get back from break.

 

[mupreopt]

Thanks jack cm.

With the way my educational situation is happening, I am hesitant to go to an optometrist right now. If I get the job, I am afraid that the conversation of my current education will arise and I dont' want to be like "well... I am only taking one class this semester, I did bad in organic, and another course or two". I just found out that I passed organic though, which I am really excited about. So I will probably wait until things are more stable, education wise before attempting to get a job/shadow at an optometry office.
My plan will probably be this. I will try to get a job at the school bookstore this semester while re-taking one class and this will solve my transportation problem since I will already be on campus at the library all day. This semester and summer will be used for getting back on track. I will probably take organic 2 sometime during the spring semester or during the summer in which I have four months to complete the course (it's an independent study course). Hopefully I can get that done on time and take organic lab in the fall and then I'll be back on track. Then a semester or two later I will try to shadow an optometrist. Right now everything is off track and I feel like I am moving no where in my life. It's depressing.

 

[JMU07]

I just assumed that it would be considered volunteering. Or that you start off shadowing/volunteering. Volunteers don't get paid.

Well, I called my OD because I originally wanted to just shadow, but he offered to give me an actual job. You don't have to start off volunteering or shadowing. They'll train you! 🙂

 

[itek2OD]

Definitely call and check out the OD and eyeMD offices in your area. They usually are willing to train students. If that's just too far away for you, check your on-campus career office for student job postings. Or even better, ask your friends at class if they know of any job openings. Working with ppl you study with makes it a lot more bearable. Personally, I think the university library is a great student employer since there is usually enough spare time to get some studying done. I did a quarter of my homework in the library - and was paid for it.

 

[EyeballerOD]

You really should be trying to get your foot in the door. Even if you have stellar grades, OAT, letters, etc.; working for an optometrist can give you a great heads up. I've been working for an optemetry practice for six months and I have picked up a lot of very useful information on running an office, dealing with patients and their glasses/CLs, running the machines, diagnostic terminology, and even insurance and procedure/I.C.D. codes. Very useful info for an interview and a great source of letters!

 

[mupreopt]

EyeballerOD, even if I am 2 1/2 years away from graduating? I know that one of the requirements for optometry school is a letter of recommendation from an optometrist. Let's say I shadow/volunteer for only a few days, a few weeks, etc. I don't want him/her to forget me when I need a letter two years later. That's part of the reason I am waiting until it's gets closer to the time to apply to optometry school. Also, I want to be sure I pass organic 2 and organic lab before shadowing someone. I don't want to be in the situation where I shadow/volunteer/work for an optometrist and then find out I don't pass organic and then have to quit.

I just found out that there are only 3 optometry offices in my area.

I should be asking some of these questions 1 or 2 years from now but I'm asking some in advanced so I don't forget.

 

[SarahNC]

THIS IS NUTS!! Call a stinkin optometrist's office and tell them about yourself, that you are looking for a job in the field and would love the opportunity to be a part of their practice. ITS NOT THAT HARD!!! How do you even know that you want to be an optometrist if you are going to wait until you are ready to apply to go and shadow or volunteer. Believe me, you will learn way more working in a practice than shadowing there. When you shadow, you just see the exams. When you work there, you will see all the insurance problems, crazy patients, etc. I'm sorry but I think its ridiculous that you don't even want to call and ask some simple questions that could land you the job that gets you accepted into Optometry School. You would rather just take the easy route and work at the bookstore.

 

[EyeballerOD]

First of all, DON'T FAIL organic 2, if you really want to get in. You already know it is going to be a difficult class beforehand, so be sure to put in the extra effort and hours.

Second, don't get me wrong. There are plenty of students that get in that have only shadowed an optometrist. I am just advocating a great opportunity to get headstart on everybody in optometry school. Most anybody will agree that extended experience beforehand provides you with a significant advantage over the other students in class (not that its a competition while in school).

Just think, you will have doctors that can write better letters for you because they've known you for a longer period of time and have had a chance to see your work ethic (which is hopeful a positivie aspect of your character). In addition, when you get into OD school, you get tripped trying to memorize terms and procedures such as anisometropia, dermatochalasis, pseudophakia, astigmatism, GDx, etc.

 

[mupreopt]

You would rather just take the easy route and work at the bookstore.

That's not true at all. Please don't assume. Believe be, if I worked for an optometrist now, I would probably not be a good one because I don't have reliable transportation. Therefore, there may be sometimes where I can't come in. That's why I am waiting. I currently don't have a car and I live out of the city where public transportation does not come out my way. That's why I want to work at the school bookstore. I will be on campus anyways and the school bookstore is on campus. So I can just walk to work. I will be dropped off before 8AM on campus, go to class, then work and use the free time to study in the library. I will save up for a car and then be able to work at an optometry office. Up until a few weeks ago, I could've got a job with an optometrist but my mother got hired for a job and now works all day so I have no transportation. There will be conflicting schedules.

 

[SarahNC]

If all you can do is work at the bookstore on campus because of transportation, then what is the point of this thread? What are you asking? I'm really not trying to be mean and I'm sure there are plenty of people that get into Optometry school without working in an office. However, I feel personally it was a HUGE advantage to have worked in one for a year and a half before I applied. Even if you don't graduate for 2 1/2 years, you will apply a year before entering, so that leaves you with 1 1/2 years to really make sure you want to be an optometrist and to spend enough time with an optometrist for them to be able to write you a strong letter of recommendation. And from your posts, its seems you are struggling some in your classes, so experience might be your strongest application factor.

 

[Heavenly4505]

I think it is a very unwise decision to wait until right before you apply to observe an optometrist. How can you know that it is truly what you want to do unless you see it firsthand? In my case, I thought for sure I wanted to be an optometrist, but after observing twice, I realized that it wasn't for me after all. You may find you have absolutely no interest in it at all. Working in an office is the best way to get experience, but you may be able to determine after shadowing if you really want to do optometry or not. I would recommend doing a couple days of shadowing on your break from school. I'm sure your parents could drop you off at the Optometry office and pick you up there, just like they do the university. Then if, after shadowing, you are sure that you do indeed want to do optometry, you could try to find a job in the field when your transportation situation is better. Seeing something firsthand is the only way to know. I would recommend at least doing some shadowing now before going any further in your education.

 

[mupreopt]

Heavenly, just curious, what made you change your mind about optometry?

 

[mupreopt]

If just shadowing, how many hours a day should I shadow?

 

[Andrea87]

That is up to you and/or the optometrist you shadow! Most schools want to see at least 30-50 hrs of shadowing. I shadowed 3 different optometrists and the one I spent most time with I did 8 hours per day. The other two were 4 hours at a time over a few weeks. It depends on your schedule and how the optometrist can fit you in! Call an optometrist, my experience is that they're pretty flexible and leave it up to you how much you want to shadow. Seriously though, listen to everyone else and get your hands dirty! Jump in there!

 

[Heavenly4505]

Nothing in particular "changed my mind" about Optometry. I just didn't find any real interest in it after shadowing. I've shadowed several different types of doctors in my career search. I always try to ask myself whether or not it's a career I could picture myself doing for the next 40 years. With Optometry, I didn't feel that "click." I've actually found a medical field that interests me more and that is a better fit for me. Now, in your case, you may shadow and love Optometry and decide it's what you want to do for the rest of your life. Or you may end up not liking it all and wanting to choose something different. In the end, you NEED to do some shadowing now, rather than last minute.