I am beginning my second year, and I was wondering if it is too early to try to begin looking for employment. Of course, we all aspire to own our own practice someday. Can some of you OD's give some advice as to how and when to begin? I am a person that likes to have a plan, even though I have a lot of time " to serve" , yet. ha ha What is the best way to go about planning my future? I respect any advice you could give me. Thanks-
When to begin looking for employment
- Thread starter nova2010
- Start date
- Joined
- May 1, 2000
- Messages
- 1,179
- Reaction score
- 3
Looking now is to early to get anything in stone, but getting an idea of where you want to go is a great idea. Start looking at regions. Look at demographics ask your profs for help with the numbers. Make sure you talk with the business professor, most of the other profs know nothing about the real world, that is why they are at the school.
Most of the offices that are looking for an OD want one now, not in two years. I know some friends who talked to offices who were not willing to wait a few months. So, looking during your 4th year is early enough. Don't wait until you graduate like some. If you do that, you won't know where to move.
Just do what I said above. Determine what you want, and where you want to live. That is all you can really do now.
Most of the offices that are looking for an OD want one now, not in two years. I know some friends who talked to offices who were not willing to wait a few months. So, looking during your 4th year is early enough. Don't wait until you graduate like some. If you do that, you won't know where to move.
Just do what I said above. Determine what you want, and where you want to live. That is all you can really do now.
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2006
- Messages
- 19
- Reaction score
- 0
If you already know where to you want to practice, it wouldn't hurt to call up some private practices and ask if you can come into watch/shadow for a few hours.
It shows that you on the right track. It lets us gauge to see how prepared/interested you are in wanting employment.
It helps plant a seed in our mind that in a few years are will be licensed.
I had a new grad send me 2 letters for employment. I must say that it did stand out. The paper was premium and the letter was nicely written. Too bad, I am not ready for an associate, but it sure left a good impression in my mind.
It shows that you on the right track. It lets us gauge to see how prepared/interested you are in wanting employment.
It helps plant a seed in our mind that in a few years are will be licensed.
I had a new grad send me 2 letters for employment. I must say that it did stand out. The paper was premium and the letter was nicely written. Too bad, I am not ready for an associate, but it sure left a good impression in my mind.
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2006
- Messages
- 355
- Reaction score
- 3
An optometrist I shadowed told me to start looking maybe 3 months before you graduate. He said just call up some optometrists and ask if they are hiring or not (in a professional way of course). If they're not, they may know somebody that is and can help you get in contact with them. He said you may have to work a more crumby job until you know the field in your area better and more opportunities will present itself. He said it's all about networking and knowing people! Anyways, that's what he told me and I have zero experience with it, and he is only one doctor. But, maybe it'll help.
One of the reasons for thinking early is to strategize which state or s tates you want to apply for a license. If you intend to move around and can think of 1 or more states in addition to where you first want to be, then it might be smart to look at taking the boards in those states. It is much easier to apply for a state license (where endorsement is not available, or you need to take NBEO I,II,III all over again) now than 10 years from now.
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2007
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 0
I agree with planning early.
Better early than late.
Maybe start with intern to gain some experience.
Better early than late.
Maybe start with intern to gain some experience.
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2005
- Messages
- 3,379
- Reaction score
- 393
Don't start planning for employment. Start planning for a career as an owner.
1) Find an area where you can be accepted onto medical insurance plans. (Do a search of this site for how, I've answered that question a dozen times.)
2) Find a doctor who is looking to sell or looking for a partner and who is willing to start negotiating. Someone who says to you "Yea, sure. Come back in three years and we'll talk about it" is not serious or at the very least hasn't thought enough about it to even have a clue how to go about implementing it.
3) Read "Business Aspects of Optometry" which is undoubtedly available in your school library.
