Starting From Scratch – ABDO Careers in Eyecare

Read about Megan’s career journey in eyecare and find out what advice she has for other young people interested in eyecare careers.

Megan never planned to become a dispensing optician. Now she’s on course to become fully qualified in a professional career.

She applied for a job at the Fox Valley practice in Sheffield in her year out before going to university. She had planned to study forensic science. “I had no idea what working at an opticians involved as I’d never had an eye test myself,” Megan says.

She quickly realised she’d found her passion. “As I grew more comfortable with my role, I found an interest in contact lenses and the business side. I wanted to create a more streamlined process for current and new contact lens wearers, making sure they got the best service.”

Just 18 months after joining, in 2021, Megan was promoted to contact lens supervisor. The job involves:

  • Managing cancellations
  • Setting targets and increasing the contact lens business
  • Managing easycare schemes and delivering a great customer experience
  • Teaching customers how to care for their lenses
  • Assessing how quickly different customers need to be seen for contact lens health checks
  • Signing up new customers to contact lens care plans.

“It was all in-house training and gaining experience on the job. I also visited a practice in Leeds to see how our colleagues there operated.

In January 2022 the practice directors offered her the opportunity to study ophthalmic dispensing at Bradford college. “Following the pandemic I felt that this opportunity suited me better without the need to go to university full time. “

“I always wanted to further my education and take every opportunity that I can, so I was excited for this next chapter,” says Megan, who is set to become a fully trained dispensing optician by 2025.

Humma Khalid, optometrist director at Fox Valley, says: “Megan is a perfect example of how hard work can pay off and a career in optics can be a rewarding option for those not initially knowing where to take their career. We see potential in so many enthusiastic young people throughout our local community and aim to support them with training, helping them find an area of optics that suits their interest.”

Megan says: “Knowing I was being recognised and supported was amazing and I can’t wait to see where my journey with Specsavers takes me.”

Discover Careers In Eyecare with ABDO

From retail jobs to science roles, early careers in eyecare have a lot to offer. Careers In Eyecare

Discover Youth Friendly Employers

IHG Early Careers Discover how you can grow your career in hospitality! EXPLORE Environment Agency Careers Our work helps to protect and improve the environment to make it a better place for people and wildlife. Join us! EXPLORE Historic England Discover early careers in heritage for all backgrounds, skills and interests. EXPLORE Pret Apprenticeships & Careers When you apply for a Pret Apprenticeship or junior role, you’ll belong to a community of achievers. Get support on your own unique career journey! EXPLORE Coach Core Apprenticeships See how Coach Core Apprenticeships get you into sport careers EXPLORE McDonald's Early Careers You probably knew you can get McDonald's Apprenticeships. Did you know you can also study for a FREE Management Degree? EXPLORE Aspiration Training Traineeships & Apprenticeships in childcare, dental nursing, teaching, health/social care, and business admin EXPLORE NCFE Vocational Qualifications Young people get amazing perks when they work for the NCFE, with apprenticeships and more. The training is great, too. EXPLORE Generation: Free Skills Training Get FREE skills and careers training today! Generation gives you skills and connects you with employers to find a job fast. EXPLORE Coca-Cola EuroPacific Want to work for one of the most well-known brands in the world? They work hard to develop their young people! EXPLORE Martin Brower Careers Break into business, admin and supply careers with Martin Brower. Don't settle for the status quo. EXPLORE Severn Trent Careers Discover opportunities for apprentices, graduates and undergraduates in the office and beyond! EXPLORE ABP Foods Apprenticeships, graduate schemes and an AMAZING early careers academy in the world of sustainable food EXPLORE Careers in Eyecare From healthcare lab to high street fashion - you don't need a degree to open your eyes to eyecare careers EXPLORE Careers in Racing Horse racing is a great career choice! British Racing is the 2nd largest spectator sport after football. EXPLORE Catch22 Youth Services Want to overcome barriers in life, whatever your background? Want employers to give you a chance? We can help. EXPLORE Essex Youth Service Aged 13-25 and live in Essex? Get involved in fun activities, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and online Plan B Traineeships. EXPLORE Get Into Teaching You can get a teaching degree for FREE with apprenticeships! EXPLORE Haven Joining Haven is more than just a job. Our early careers are a breath of fresh air! EXPLORE Working in local government Local government touches everyone's lives every day EXPLORE Prezzo Restaurant Careers Prezzo offers so many early careers, from cooking great food and giving great customer service to managing like a boss! EXPLORE Royal Air Force There’s nothing like a career in the RAF, it’s not just a job but a way of living. EXPLORE Surrey County Council Careers Thinking about rewarding apprenticeships and early careers in a diverse environment? Fire up your career with SCC! EXPLORE The British Library Work experience, internships and apprenticeships with The British Library open up a WORLD of possibilities. EXPLORE VHR Technical Recruitment The VHR talent academy can help you get into a successful technical recruitment career - with NO experience! EXPLORE
VHR
Environment Agency

Email us at info@youthemployment.org.uk or call 01536 513388.

Build Skills + Confidence

Want a big boost in your life and work skills? Sign up to our free online Young Professional programme today!

Young Professional Programme

Get FREE skills training when you sign up. Get support with your personal confidence, positive attitude and coping with change!

Self Belief | Communication | Teamwork | Problem Solving | Self Management

FREE Online Courses

Boost your skills and careers confidence with FREE online courses. Complete them your own pace and get a certificate for your CV! Sign in as a Young Professional to get automatically enrolled.

Get Jobs + Experience

Find Opportunities

Looking for jobs and opportunities near you? Sign in as a Young Professional to see the latest jobs, apprenticeships, grad schemes, CV workshops, career events and early career opportunities in your area!

Latest Careers Help

Be Yourself

Mental Health

Stay Curious

Overcoming Barriers

For Students

Student Guides

For Teachers

Teacher Resources

Teachers - see how to use the Young Professional programme in your school or college, with lots of free teaching resources at your fingertips.