In today’s optometric landscape, employers look beyond the education and skills section of an applicant’s resume and focus on aspects, including clinical experience, memberships, publication credits, research, awards, and even extracurricular activities.1 To become a top candidate, you must be forward-looking in forging your future.
Adopting the action plan laid out in this article will not only move you closer to acquiring your dream job, but will enhance your current student experience and help build the qualities needed to be a top-rate optometrist and thought leader.
Here are seven significant ways you can make a name for yourself and increase your reputation while still in optometry school.
7 ways to stand out as an optometry student
1. Get practical experience outside of the classroom
According to Christine Carder (Eyes On Eyecare Talent Acquisition Specialist), two ways to increase your hireability are to pursue a speciality and gain diverse clinical experience: “Engage in various practice settings to build a well-rounded skill set and show adaptability.”
Though optometry schools strive to ensure that students get a wealth of real-life clinical experience, it is invaluable to spend as much time as possible seeing the day-to-day workings of a bustling practice and learning from more seasoned optometrists. Harvard Business School released a study revealing that 37% of employers deemed relevant work experience more attractive than educational attainment.2
Whether you answer patient inquiries as a receptionist, man the optical, or simply shadow a senior doctor as they move through their daily tasks, you are bound to gain insights into what type of practice setting and specialty may best suit you. You will also meet and mingle with other eyecare professionals who can share their experience and educate you on potential pitfalls.
2. Volunteer in the field
Did you know that those who volunteer live longer and report greater overall happiness? It also boosts self confidence, cognitive function, and mental health.3 In addition, through volunteering, you can hone your skills while helping others and strengthening your ties to the eyecare community.
Volunteer opportunities may range from vision screenings in schools, distribution of glasses to underserved communities, assisting in mobile clinics, or teaching low vision skills, like how to use assistive technologies.4
Suggested organizations that offer volunteer opportunities for optometry students include:4
- Unite for Sight: Promotes high-quality eyecare across the globe.
- Student VOSH: Provides sustainable vision care worldwide.
- Special Olympics: Has the mission of optimizing athlete’s ability and performance through improving health, including ocular health.
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What's the Best Way for You to Set Yourself Apart as a Student?
If you're looking to stand out as an optometry student, take this quiz to see which of our activities is best suited for you to make your mark!
3. Join optometry clubs and organizations
Opportunities for joining clubs and organizations are available both within optometry schools and in the professional sector. They present the chance to connect with other optometry students to collaborate and commensurate. In addition, clubs help you hone communication and leadership skills.
Look into the clubs at your individual institution, such as journal clubs, business clubs, or specialty-focused organizations. Also, consider national student and professional organizations based on your interests and goals. Local society meetings are a great way to connect with your community and make potential career connections.
Optometry student organizations:
- AOSA (American Optometric Student Association): Committed to education and advocacy, is led by students for students and has representation from more than 7,100 students from 26 schools and colleges of optometry.
- NOSA (National Optometric Student Association): With 21 active chapters across the country, their mission is to extend the vision and advance eyecare for minority communities.
- CAOS (Canadian Association of Optometry Students): Representing the student voice of Canadian Doctors of Optometry
Professional organizations with student membership:
- AAO (American Academy of Optometry): Dedicated to lifelong learning centered around the art and science of vision care. The cost is $30 for the entire optometry student career.
- AOA (American Optometric Association): Provides continuing education, clinical resources, and practice management guidance. The cost is $50 per year.
- OVDRA (Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation): With a mission of advancing excellence in developmental and rehabilitative neuro-optometric vision care. There is no cost to join.
- NORA (Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association): Provides patients with acquired brain injury evaluation and education for optimum visual rehabilitation. There is no cost to join.
- VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity): Aim to provide vision and eye health to people worldwide, particularly in underserved communities.
4. Develop a strong social media presence
It is likely that you already have a personal social media presence; however, it is also important to establish a professional social media brand as early as possible. Social media provides the opportunity to promote yourself, share interesting information about the field, connect with other eyecare professionals, and attract future patients. It is estimated that 41% of healthcare consumers use social media when selecting a healthcare provider.5
Additionally, social media facilitates professional networking among healthcare providers. Platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn host communities where professionals discuss clinical cases, industry trends, and practice management, enhancing collaboration and knowledge exchange.
When you launch your professional page, be deliberate in how you present yourself and what you share. In your profile picture, dress as you would in-clinic while seeing patients. Aim to make your content authentic, informational, entertaining, and professional.
Potential social media posts for optometry students:
- Photos
- Learning new procedures
- Celebrating school/career wins
- Your favorite new frames, technologies, and products
- Attendance at conferences and meetings
- Text posts
- Fun eyecare facts
- Interesting optometry news
- Inspirational quotes
- New laws/latest in advocacy
- Vlog/blog
- A-Day-In-The-Life
- Research collaborations (posters/papers)
Helpful resources from Eyes On Eyecare:
- Dos and Don'ts of Social Media for Optometry Students
- Instagram for Eyecare: How to Use the Fixed Grid System with Downloadable Guide
- 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Personal Brand
5. Attend conferences and workshops
“Connect with experienced ODs through shadowing, informational interviews, and networking events to gain insight and grow your connections.” - Christine Carder, Eyes On Eyecare Talent Acquisition Specialist
Conferences and meetings provide the invaluable opportunity to network with industry professionals, learn about the latest advancements in the field, see innovative products, and hear lectures from key opinion leaders.
Here is a brief breakdown of upcoming events in optometry:
- Optometry’s Meeting 2025 (hosted jointly by the AOA and the AOSA): Minneapolis, Minnesota - June 25 to 28, 2025
- Vision Source Exchange 2025 (also known simply as The Exchange): Denver, Colorado - April 30 to May 3, 2025
- Vision Expo West 2025: Las Vegas, Nevada - September 17 to 20, 2025
- SECO 2026 (Southern Council of Optometrists): Atlanta, GA - February 25 to March 1, 2026
- Vision Expo East 2026: Orlando, Florida - March 11 to 14, 2026
6. Start a podcast
It is estimated that in 2023, nearly 70 million people were listening to podcasts. It is projected that by 2029, podcasts will garner over 110 million listeners.6 Podcasts can help you expand your brand, discuss topics that you are passionate about, and meet and interview KOLs.
Though podcasting demands extensive planning with researching topics and scheduling potential guests, it requires minimal equipment and can be produced in the comfort of your own home.
Basic podcasting equipment:7
- USB microphone
- Microphone stand
- Pop filter
- Editing software (Garageband, Reaper, Audacity, Descript)
Find the best podcasts for optometrists and ophthalmologists:
7. Write for Eyes On Eyecare
Another way to stand out among your classmates is by publishing. There are an array of eyecare magazines to consider that focus on all areas of optometry. Often publications will ask for a pitch of the article you would like to write or request a sample of your writing.
To this purpose, first figure out what subjects you’re most interested in; make a list of different areas of optometry you’re interested in, then see if you can come up with associated topics to write about. Next, you can reach out to the editor to pitch your idea.
Here are three examples of content pitches:
- Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Primary Eyecare: This article will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be utilized in primary eyecare to optimize eyeglass/contact lens prescriptions, screen patients for vision changes, offer care to the underserved, and predict myopia progression.
- The Link Between Cataracts and Corticosteroids: This article will take a deep dive into the connection between corticosteroid use and cataracts and review studies on co-morbidities that may increase the risk of cataracts due to corticosteroid use (i.e., COPD).
- Periorbital vs Orbital Cellulitis: A Quick and Concise Walkthrough: This article will offer guidance in distinguishing periorbital from orbital cellulitis, and provide guidelines for differential diagnosis and management.
If interested, the publication will share their editorial guidelines, which will likely include guidelines for word count, punctuation, style, references, etc. Then it is time for you to show off those writing skills. If you’d like step-by-step advice and a helpful template to help you write an awesome optometry article, then refer to the article Top Tips for Writing an Awesome Optometry Article.
Once you’re ready to pursue publication, consider reaching out to write for Eyes On Eyecare.
Conclusion
With classes and clinics, it is unlikely that you will be able to do all of the things listed above. However, by choosing one to three to focus on, you will still be on your way to setting yourself apart as an optometry student.
By proactively taking steps to expand your knowledge, network, and self-understanding while in optometry school, you can not only increase your chances for early career success, but will gain a better grasp of who you want to be as an optometrist and your place in the optometric community as a whole.
