Making the Transition: OD Student to OD Practice

Network, Join Associations, Access Resources

Negotiate the First-Year Mine Fields

Matthew Geller, OD, founder of OptometryStudents.com and NewGradOptometry.com, offers advice to young colleagues on making the momentous transition from optometry school (and a lifetime of being a student) to being a doctor in optometric practice. Involvement in local and state optometric associations provides prime opportunities to network and compare career paths with peers. Attending professional meetings like Vision Expo and SECO also provides networking opportunities. In addition, finding a mentor, by actively networking or simply by being open to chance encounters, can provide your career with needed direction. For first-hand experiences with making this transition, and to access deep resources for all aspects of entering practice, visit www.NewGradOptometry.com.

There are a number of mine fields to be negotiated in one’s first year in optometry practice, Dr. Geller says. Reflecting on his own experience in two years since graduating optometry school, he recommends that associates keep communications open with their employer-ODs, and bring up problems, rather putting them off to be dealt with later. A new graduate OD’s first job is not likely to be his or her last, and it’s important to keep relationships with first employers friendly, and never to burn bridges. Most of all, be open to new ideas and continuous learning, as the world–and the world of optometry–is forever accelerating with new information.  .