If you are leaving school this summer, it is a great time to think about your options. You may want to go on to further education or higher education, but you might want to get a job. There are a number of roles for young people working in eyecare. Becoming an optical assistant is a great place to start. This is a good role for you if you like working with people. You could also be interested in fashion, technology,…
ABDO College offers a choice of two distance learning courses on the route to becoming a qualified dispensing optician (DO): Foundation Degree /BSc (Hons) in Ophthalmic Dispensing (Year 1)Fellowship Dispensing Diploma courses (Year 1) Option 1A two-year Foundation Degree course followed by a third year BSc Degree course in Ophthalmic Dispensing – leading to BSc (Hons) and the ABDO Level 6 FBDO qualifications. Option 2A three-year diploma course in Ophthalmic Dispensing – leading to the ABDO Level 6 FBDO qualification.…
Describe your typical day As a newly graduated Optical and Imaging Technologies Masters student, with my first degree in Optics and Optometry, I’m involved in the clinical evaluations of the patients. I take measurements for each wearer trial and take part in quality controls during the lens manufacturing process. What do you start with every day? I start by going over the trials protocol for the patients scheduled for that day. In this way I make sure each appointment gets…
By Mark Nevey, FBDO The pressures of studying can be challenging at the best of times and working towards the DO diploma or degree is no different. When challenges present themselves in your personal life, it can make studying feel even harder. However, support is always at hand. I experienced such a challenge first-hand when I undertook the second year of my DO diploma at ABDO College and my wife and I discovered that we were pregnant with our first…
If you are early in your career, have you thought about management as an option for you? Whilst many people will tell you that experience is key, and it certainly is important, there are ways that you can train towards a management role. The first thing to consider is what type of management role you may want and be well suited to. There are opportunities at different levels. Think about which areas you would like to learn more about and…
Everyone who has worked for their employer for 26 weeks or more has the right to ask for flexible work. There are a number of different ways you can work flexibly. Click here to read more about the different ways. There is a process to follow to apply for flexible working. After you apply your employer must consider flexible working requests in a ‘reasonable manner’. They should usually make a decision within three months of the request (or longer if…
When you are deciding on A level topics it can seem overwhelming - but don't panic. Read on for tips to help you, and advice on timings. First, you might want to think about the sort of job you would like to do. Look on a careers website like Careers in Eyecare and find out the entry requirements to careers you might like. Will you need A levels or a degree? If there is a training course, you can contact…
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) has committed to support Careers in Eyecare, the award-winning campaign from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). Chair of the WCSM Membership Committee Fiona Anderson says, “The WCSM wants to inspire future generations committed to visionary eye care, building upon a rich heritage of almost 400 years so it makes perfect sense for the WCSM to support the Careers in Eyecare campaign.” Young people, parents and carers, employers and careers teachers will…
What do you start with every day? I start with a healthy breakfast and see my family off to school or work. I then jump in the car and start my commute to work. During my drive to work, I will often have a call with Dan Pederson, my business partner to discuss the previous day’s activity across our group of practices and discuss any pressing matters ahead. When I get to the practice, we start the day by having…
Monday sees the start of National Careers Week 2022 and it is the perfect time to promote the role of the dispensing optician and showcase other careers in eyecare. Here are five ways you can support careers week: Use your social media channels to highlight the role you have in eyecare. Tell your career story and share why other should consider a career in eyecare.If you have social media channels for your optical practice then you could share a post…