How the Optometry Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Optometry is the study of diseases and disorders of vision, the eye, and all other structures associated with the eye. The field of optometry is growing, and as the population grows, it only means that there are now more pairs of eyes for optometry majors to inspect, analyze, and keep healthy than ever before. Optometry deals with eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts, conditions such as astigmatism and farsightedness, color blindness, and other vision-related conditions. Optometry majors take courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, and other topics related to enhancing the studentís general science knowledge as well as vision-specific skills. Interestingly, many optometry schools do not have a specific preference as to what optometry school applicants earn their bachelorís degree in as long as the degree program satisfies the science prerequisites of the optometry school, according to Central College in Pella. However, once in optometry school, optometry majors will learn as well as complete shadowing and internship programs that will help them develop the skills necessary for a job in the field.
Best Career Paths for Optometry Majors
Optometry is a highly specialized niche that opens up several rewarding career choices. The best career paths for optometry majors are:
- Optometry. Optometrists are responsible for looking after the vision health of their patients. Aside from performing routine check-ups, optometrists also assess, diagnose, and treat vision and eye disorders such as nearsightedness, cataracts, color and depth perception issues, and other conditions. Optometrists may also use vision health to gauge if a patient is suffering from another ailment, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, and may refer the patient to another physician if necessary. Optometrists are typically known for prescribing eyeglasses or other corrective lenses. Optometrists make an average salary of $96,320 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Optician. Opticians are responsible for fitting patients with corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. They follow the prescription and instructions of optometrists. Unlike optometrists, who actually look at the eyes of patients to determine the correct prescription strength of corrective lenses needed, opticians are only responsible for following the written prescription of the optometrist and ensuring that the glasses or contact lenses are a comfortable fit for the patient. Opticians earn an average salary of $32,810 annually, according to the Bureau.
How to Market Your Optometry Degree
After years of medical school, you have successfully earned your optometry degree. However, it is important to let potential employers know of the merits of your degree. Emphasize the value of your optometry degree by highlighting the most applicable skills you learned during your educational career. For example, tell employers about how your courses helped you prepare for your internship and shadowing programs. In addition, mention all of the different tasks you tackled during your internship program, what you learned while watching other professionals work, and how it helped you gain insight into the industry. The best way to market your optometry degree is to prove to employers that the skills and knowledge you learned during college are applicable to the real-world work environment.
