good use in some fashion or another.  Academics though, are just that… academics.  As most people learn over the years, with experience comes wisdom.

So how have I become wiser over the years?  The answer is simple.  I have aligned myself with students who are either undergrads considering optometry school or are presently optometry students.  Even after 30 years of practice, these students have influenced the way I approach patients.  First of all, if you are hiring these students, they make absolutely the best employees.  They are enthusiastic about learning what you can show and teach them, they absorb information like sponges, and never seem to tire as long as they are being stimulated with a variety of patient encounters.  The benefit to me and my practice is that the

y ask questions that make me think about areas that have been in the back of my brain for years, are willing to help in any way possible, and are willing to take on the duties of a technician thereby enabling my associate and I to see more patients.  An additional benefit is that our patients are very impressed with the fact that my associate and I “teach” so they see us as experts.  This is a value added experience and thus a value added service to our patients.

In my practice, the students are exposed to both every aspect of clinical care in our virtually paperless office and to the business side of optometry.  They observe the various front desk duties, they observe and often assist in patient pre-testing, they shadow in the exam room, follow the patient to the dispensary, assist patients in choosing eyewear, assist in the lab to fabricate the eyewear, call patients to notify that the eyewear is completed and observe the dispensing.  They observe me or my staff in the business office, while we notify or discuss issues with patients, delegate responsibilities to other valuable employees, ordering contact lenses, interpreting visual fields, GDX or Retinal Photos, and get a sense of what it really takes to run a successful optometric practice.

I am proud to believe that I have been a positive influence on young people considering optometry as a profession.  I am proud of the fact that I actually remember how to answer most of the questions these students can tender.  I am proud of the fact that they seem to respect my opinions related to the profession.  I am proud to offer my expertise to young minds that are eager for knowledge.  I am truly wiser for it.

For those students that may have an interest in interning with me, please go to my website for our telephone number and give me a call.  I look forward to it.

The website URL is www.OptixEyeCare.com

Joel Kestenbaum, OD

www.optixeyecare.com

1. Learn How To Express That Optometry Is Your Passion:
   There is nothing more desirable to an optometry school admissions panel than for you to be passionate about optometry. The biggest question in the minds of these distinguished individuals is “Is this person dedicated to optometry? Do they truly want this as their career?” If you are able to genuinely dictate that THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOURSELF then you have a true advantage over other students. Why is this so important? – Because an admissions panel knows that if optometry is your only option then you will go to great lengths to become a successful OD. Things like studying, passing classes, and passing the board exam are simple tasks in relation to the big picture. They know that a person with a passion and a goal cannot be taken off their purpose.
2. Build Credibility:
   As discussed previously the Optometry school admissions department wants to know that Optometry is your passion and your true career choice. Well we all know, actions speak louder then words. Expressing your love and dedication to Optometry will only get you so far up the ladder. Schools want to see that your actions are in alignment with your words. So you need to have a well-detailed list of all your involvements in the field of Optometry and have a reason for why they have made you an exceptional pre-optometry student and why they will make you a great OD. Be able to articulate this clearly in a way that shows that your actions are direct indicators that Optometry is for you.
3. Get Involved With An Optometrist:
   This can be anything from shadowing an optometrist to taking one out for lunch. It could involve e-mailing them, posting on optometry online forums, and even going to trade shows or seminars. In all of these situations Optometry Doctors are present and are more then willing to provide you with enlightening information. You should easily be able to shadow 5-10 doctors in all different fields of Optometry. Take notes on your interaction and bring them with you to your school interviews, not to read every last detail to the staff but as a reference to your organization and dedication. If you are lucky, a private practicing Optometrist will enjoy your dedication and your thirst for knowledge and take you under their wing and can quite possible provide you with future employment. At the very least, an OD will write you a letter of recommendation that you can add to your portfolio.

Stay focused and continue to innovate! Check back for another article soon and bookmark this blog for more great information.

-Matt Geller
www.OptixEyeCare.com