As you take the first steps to working life, you need to think about what your passion is. What motivates you? Is it caring, or financial rewards? Getting swift results or building long-term relationships? Consider your personality and skills and research which careers fit best. What lifestyle, salary and work/life balance would you like? A mentor – someone who has already established their career – can help you find the answers to those questions and more. Building a relationship With…
Today's one of the most stressful dates for many students. It may feel like disaster if you don’t get the grades for your chosen course, but there are options. Universities still want you – more than 50,000 students find their places through Clearing every year. Many more choose apprenticeships, internships, gap years, or go straight into work. How Clearing works Universities fill spaces that are still available after results day via Clearing, matching students with places. This year the system…
Isabel Nibbs is a clinical technician at Specsavers in Crowborough, East Sussex Why did you choose an optical career? After finishing my A-Levels I was inspired by friends and family working in the eyecare sector. As a long-term customer of Specsavers, I thought it would be a great place to work. Being part of a team launching a new store – we opened in November 2022 – has empowered me to become more confident in how I am with our…
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a standalone qualification, designed to develop students beyond the usual Level 3 course and to prepare you for university or your future career. It's worth half an A-level. You choose your own topic and title, with guidance from teachers. This is an independent project, a chance to really dig deeply into an area that interests you. What is an EPQ? The EPQ can be: a dissertation – a 5,000 to 6,000-word piece of writing…
If you are in the lower sixth or your first year at college, tutors and parents may be asking you what you plan to do next. It feels like the pressure is on and you have to have a plan for the rest of your life ... but don't worry. There are lots of options available to you and you have time to choose what you'd like to do. The number of apprentices is rising. An apprenticeship is a great…
Ophthalmic and vision science is a little-known career, but one that offers you a great future. These specialists assess the structure and function of the eye and the visual system. They are experts in disorders of vision, eye diseases and the visual pathway. This is a great choice for many reasons. Our top six are: 1. Combine science and technology with people skills You need to be able to help and reassure patients and work with the wider, multidisciplinary healthcare…
If you are doing your GCSEs, you also have to think about what next. Do you want to go to a sixth form college or stay at your school if it offers a sixth form? You could also look at apprenticeships. In this article we look at how to take your next steps when applying for sixth form colleges. Sixth form colleges offer several open days. If you are in year 10 you may get the chance to do a…
1. Become a respected health professional Orthoptists are experts in diagnosing and treating defects in eye movement and problems with how the eyes work together, called binocular vision. They are registered with and regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To qualify, they study for a degree in orthoptics. You can find out more about the course, including where you can study, here. Each university sets their own entry requirements but they usually include good GCSE Maths, English…
If you’re at school in Scotland, and in S3 or S4, you might be thinking about choosing your Highers. You normally need to study towards four or five Highers in S5 – and may then go on to take Advanced Highers in S6. Scottish Higher qualifications (known as Highers) are subject-based qualifications. After taking Highers, you can go on to university, further study, training, or work. You can study for your Highers over one to two years, and will usually…
Are you ready to choose your subjects for sixth form? Whether you are staying at school or moving to a sixth form college there are lots of options open to you. It can seem overwhelming – but don’t panic - here are tips to help you. 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 explore careers you might like and what you…