Early Career Council Representative

We are seeking a student to join our Council and play an active role in shaping the future of the College and the optometric profession. 

This is a unique opportunity to develop your leadership skills, gain insight into local and national issues affecting optometry, and contribute to important discussions that influence the profession. Along the way you’ll broaden your clinical understanding, build valuable transferable skills and develop experience that will benefit you throughout your studies and future career.

We’re looking for an ambitious and enthusiastic optometry student who wants to make a real difference.

If you are a level 6 student at a UK university, either in the final year of a Bachelor of Science in Optometry degree programme, or in the penultimate year of an integrated Master of Optometry programme, we’d love to hear from you. 

You’ll be someone who shares the College’s purpose of advancing optometry, is keen to get involved beyond the classroom and enjoys working with and learning from others, a willingness to learn, and the confidence to share your ideas and experiences. We want someone who is ready to contribute to discussions that will help shape the future of the profession.

As one of three Early Career Representatives on our Council, you’ll serve a three-year term sharing the perspectives of students, trainee optometrists, and newly qualified professionals as you progress through the early stages of your career. 

Your insight will be particularly valuable as we transition to new qualification requirements for optometrists. By bringing your experiences and views to Council discussions, you’ll help ensure that the voices of those entering the profession are heard and reflected in the College’s work. 

The role is voluntary, but we reimburse reasonable travel, accommodation, subsistence, and childcare expenses. 

Council members attend two all-day meetings each year (normally one in the Spring and one in November), with one meeting held virtually and the other in London. You’ll also have opportunities to attend a range of College events and engage with members from across the profession.