Career paths for the NQO
3 February 2025
Winter 2025
Optometry is a diverse profession, and optometrists have many opportunities and roles open to them once qualified. Sophie Goodchild explores the options and how to access them and talks to experienced practitioners about how they widened their career horizons.
University lecturing, working as a specialist hospital optometrist and a College examiner, and volunteering in Sierra Leone and Ethiopia. These are just a few highlights of Gurvinder Chattha MCOptom’s career in optometry since qualifying as a 23-year-old. Now aged 38, he credits his varied CV to doing what he enjoys and being prepared to give up his own time to try out new roles.
“Optometry isn’t like a job in finance where you’re expected to be there Monday to Friday,” says Gurvinder. “My week can be divided into one day in hospital optometry and a couple of days teaching. Diversifying helps the other jobs you’re doing. Working at a hospital and as an examiner makes me a better lecturer.”
With the right skills and qualifications, there are several branches of optometry open to newly qualified professionals and those who have been in their role for a couple of years. Or a portfolio career of the type Gurvinder enjoys, which combines several roles, may provide the best job satisfaction.
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