Life at the cutting edge of research, the level of evidence needed to change care pathways, and how to balance curiosity and funding priorities to create opportunities.
Welcome to the early career hub
This is the place to find the hand-picked support, guides and resources you'll need in the first few years of your career. Hear from optometrists at different stages in their career, connect with your community, and find what you need to drive your career forward.
Career profiles
Be inspired by hearing from optometrists who have had unique and exciting careers.
Optometry job vacancies
Looking for a new challenge? College members are able to advertise their vacancies with us across all sectors of optometry. Check out our jobs board and find your dream role.
Workplace and community
Adapting to new or changing workplaces can come with challenges. We have advice to help you settle in and know what to do if you're struggling. Listen to our podcast episodes on mental health in the workplace.
Download the app and join your community
Join the conversation and connect with other College members, including senior optometrists and your peers. You will also be able to access clinical information, patient resources, the latest jobs and more.
Further qualifications and training
Develop your skills and increase your career opportunities with our range of courses, qualifications, and CPD.
Foundation and refresher courses
Check out our foundation and refresher courses. These courses help you develop key skills in practice so that your patients receive excellent care.
Different pathways in optometry
There are lots of different career paths in optometry that you can pursue based on your interests, each one uniquely rewarding. Find out more about some of the different roles that you could work towards.
Working on the high street
Many optometrists work at a high street (multiple) optometrist. These roles often focus on routine eye examinations, and serve a key role in community eye health care. They focus on common eye conditions and support the management of more complex conditions.
Flexible and varied roles
Optometrists who are flexible, or have other responsibilities inside or outside of their career, can work as locum or portfolio optometrists. These optometrists often hold multiple roles, such as teaching or being an assessor. These roles can be very broad, and include covering leave, or offering specific support such as dry eye clinics. Find out more about locum or portfolio optometrists.
Academic or research optometrist
Are you interested in contributing to the future of optometry outside of practice?
Academic optometrists work in universities and can teach, as well as contribute to journals and committees. This type of optometrist is key for shaping the future of optometry and driving the profession forward, both through research and by teaching the next generation.
Research optometrists can start out in academia before focusing on research. This type of role is less patient-facing and instead involves working closely with optometrists and healthcare professionals. Alongside research for new treatments and devices, you would also focus on contributing to journals, training healthcare professionals, and managerial roles.
Hospital or community optometrist
Hospital and community optometrists focus on secondary care, and these roles are usually much more varied than high street optometry. The work can cover core optometric functions, including contact lenses and low vision to more specialist eye care such as biometry, electrodiagnostics, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, AMD and emergencies.
Domiciliary optometrists
This type of optometrist works in home-settings, such as care homes for the elderly. These roles suit optometrists who are skilled at working with a wide variety of patients, especially older people, and are experienced at working with different pathologies. Domiciliary optometrists offer vital support to more isolated patients.