Optometry personal statement

Optometry personal statement

1. My choice to study optometry stemmed from my ambition to pursue a career that
combined my fascination in the sciences with my love of working with people. This
encouraged me to apply for a job at a local Specsavers branch where I have been working
for the past year as an Optical Assistant, conducting clinical assessments, working on
reception and dealing with customer enquiries. I also sit in with the Optometrists when they
are conducting full eye examinations. I thoroughly enjoy this work and I now have a good
understanding of the attributes which help make a successful Optometrist; empathy dealing
with customers, organisation, confidence and technical skills which help with choosing the
treatment most suited to the individual patient. This work has prepared me for what my
future profession will involve; it has given me the confidence and love for the work I do
which is important when entering such a specific field. I'm attracted by the combination of
working closely with patients on a personal basis and the technology used to undertake eye
exams and arrive at a suitable prescription. I have an outgoing and friendly personality
which will help when dealing with patients and I'm also extremely organised which helps
with my work, as well as being able to work happily in a team environment. Not only has my
career at Specsavers given me an insight into Optometry as a profession but has given me
opportunities to further my involvement in the community, having recently participated in
the local Race For Life 5K event with my colleagues and finishing in the top ten with over
two thousand entrants.
I recently attended an Optometry workshop at a local university, designed to explain the
role of an Optometrist and to give attendees the opportunity to experience the equipment
and procedures used on a daily basis, whilst explaining about the training courses, the
working environment and career choices. The day confirmed my drive to succeed in this
field. My EPQ project is looking at the treatment of macular degeneration and how
developing technology is leading to new solutions unheard of twenty years ago. I find the
connection between technology and medical treatment fascinating, particularly the idea
that new treatments might be developed and introduced during my career. I enjoyed
reading journals, websites and findings about this research. At school I was selected as an
Ambassador, teaching local primary school pupils about the importance of global education
in conjunction with a national Fair Trade fortnight where I spent time in the local town
speaking with members of the public about Fair Trade and the benefits to society. This was
nerve racking at first but the sense that it was for a greater good spurred me on to spread
the message of FairTrade within the community. More recently I was selected at school to
be a Prefect mentoring year 7 pupils for their first year at secondary school, helping them
settle in and managing any problems they experienced, liaising with staff as necessary. The
challenges that the young children presented tested our patience and problem solving skills.
I matured during that year knowing I had acted as an adult with their best interests in mind.
I volunteered at a local riding stables working with the Riding for the Disabled Association,
helping the children learn to ride by leading them on a rein or supporting them in the
saddle. I believe the specialist skills I gained during that time will be relevant to becoming an
accomplished optometrist, such as being able to communicate and empathise with children
under difficult circumstances and having a calm attitude at all times. I'm attracted to a
career that will be rewarding, where I never stop learning or helping people to overcome
problems with their eyesight. I'm interested in both the clinical and anatomical aspects of
the course and believe I will bring a focussed attitude and desire to learn.