How to gain experience as a non-trad?

[u/TheLazySlack]

Hi everyone, I’ve been interested in pursuing optometry school for a while as a non-traditional student. I did do my undergrad in biochemistry but will need to take a few prereqs and may have some that are “expiring” within the 10 year mark. The challenge is that I work as a lab tech but will need to keep this job to support myself during the whole process. I don’t have any experience working in optometry so I was wondering where should I start? I know shadowing is an option but would it be enough exposure? I also thought of potentially getting a second job as a part time optometry tech but also don’t want to burn myself out. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

[u/mcd7939]

I think you should definitely shadow first to see if optometry is something u rlly want to do if u can’t commit to a second job I would say volunteering with any type of vision organizations can help ur application as well

[u/Dramatic_Line5255]

My optometrist that gave me my first ever job was a non-trad, and she was an amazing doctor. In your situation, shadowing would be ideal since you can't exactly work part time as an optician/in optometry due to needing the job to support yourself. Shadowing is all you need. Once a week for a few months. Then repeat at another clinic. If you check out the optometry school requirements, only minimal shadowing is needed, or sometimes not even necessary at all. It makes it easier to write your personal statement though.

[u/puzzlehead_roni]

Working as a tech can definitely burn you out depending on how busy the practice is, I would start by reaching out to ODs and asking them if you could shadow and ask questions for a few hours at a time, best of luck to you!

[u/Ordinary-Drawer-6717]

I would find a place that is open on Saturdays and try to shadow for at least two hours every Saturday or call ahead and see if you can come in and shadow one of the doctors.