Student Ambassador Blog Articles
Optometry is a Flexible Career with So Many Options by SCCO Student Ambassador, Michelle De Los Reyes
A series of articles written by SCCO Student Ambassadors, here is Michelle De Los Reyes. To learn more about Michelle, where she is from, and why she chose SCCO, find her bio here listed alphabetically.
Why I Chose Optometry, a Flexible Career Path with So Many Options
By SCCO Student Ambassador, Michelle De Los Reyes
I always was in love with the idea of optometry. I loved the idea of seeing patients day to day. Though when I look back on my first thoughts about becoming an optometrist, I never knew how diverse the field truly is.
During undergrad, I was fortunate to get involved in a vision science research lab. We studied amblyopia in adults, a condition where the eye becomes “lazy” by not alligning with the other eye, making true binocular vision impossible. In this lab, we attempted therapeutic treatments for these adults, trying to improve their stereo (3D) vision. I learned a lot while in that lab, such as creating my own trial lens glasses, playing with prisms, and even learned a bit of coding through MatLab. Also I learned about various eye disorders and basic terms that even helps me now in my first year as an optometry student. However, the most beneficial experience from this experience was solidifying the conviction that I wanted to chose optometry.
This research experience played a big role in my decision making process, and SCCO has so much to offer! The dual Masters in Vision Science program was a big factor for me. I loved the idea that I could get my OD as well as my MS at the same time, to really immerse myself in everything vision! I plan to one day become a professor, so SCCO’s program seemed tailored to me and for anyone who is interested in academia. Our professors here are so encouraging and really help you see the big picture when it comes to planning career goals. I love going to the fun one-on- one meetings with various faculty where I can ask the big questions like, “How did you do it? How do I go into teaching as well?” Our professors are so willing to help us towards our specific career goals and go beyond just preparation for private practice optometry.
Optometry is such a diverse field and you have so much flexibility beyond graduation. Some optometrists actually never see patients in their day-to-day careers, but instead focus on academia, research, biotech, or even law! I think SCCO lays out all of our options helps student to reach their dreams! If you ever get bored in one field of optometry, there’s always a new avenue to pursue!
If you have any questions for me, feel free to contact me at michelledelosreyes.scco25@ketchum.edu
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Categories: Student Ambassador Blog Articles
Tagged as: getting into optometry school, Jane Ann Munroe optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum University, mbku, Michelle De Los Reyes, Michelle DeLosReyes, optometry, optometry admissions, optometry school admissions, scco., southern california college of optometry, Student Life
Published by Jane Ann Munroe, OD, Assistant Dean of Admissions, SCCO
I wanted to be an optometrist when I was only 10 years old. Why? I had some kind of geeky fascination with eyeglass frames, and was obsessed with getting a pair of my own. In my situation, having perfect eyesight was a distinct disadvantage, so I had to hatch a plan.
After repeated intense squinting while looking at the blackboard, I approached my teacher and lied with conviction, complaining that I couldn’t see. This report got me first to the school nurse and then finally on to an optometrist for an eye exam, where I tried my best Mr. Magoo impression to no avail.
I would have to wait two more long years until the gods finally smiled on me when, by some miracle, I acquired enough astigmatism to warrant my first bona fide pair of prescription eyeglasses!
Along with my love of people and wanting to take care of them, subsequent visits to the optometrist and shadowing, I sealed the deal—optometry was now officially what I wanted to do with my life.
I made first contact with the Southern California College of Optometry when I was in 8th grade. My older sister had a newly minted driver’s license and so I coerced her into driving me all the way from our home in La Mirada to Los Angeles, SCCO’s then-home. After a master planning effort to plot out our route on a paper map folded in 8 places, we arrived at SCCO where my sister quickly surmised that I didn’t have an appointment with an admissions advisor. She called me a loser, drove me all the way back home and the next day, phoned to help make the requisite appointment.
I entered high school in the late 1960’s (ouch, that hurt) when young females wanted to be anything but what I’d chosen as my newly dedicated pursuit—a science geek. I wore thick horn-rimmed black eyeglass frames (told you I was serious) and hung around chemistry lab after class. This was at a time when women just did not pursue careers in science and being the tomboy that I was, that was fine with me. This trend continued right through into undergrad, attending many classes where I was the only female--bespectacled or not--in the class. At a recent high school reunion, many of my classmates still remember me as the science geek with the blinders on—many envious of my joy and passion for my future profession.
I graduated from SCCO in 1977. Looking back with 40 years of experience as an optometrist, I am awed to know that I chose this wonderful profession way-back-when and with only my juvenile perspective to inform me. In 1977 when I graduated from optometry school, the profession began a series of major changes to its practice scope: securing the rights to use diagnostic drugs (dilating drops), securing the rights to prescribe therapeutic drugs (huge change!), being recognized as physicians by the federal government and treating glaucoma. In some US states, optometry has made even bigger strides into minor surgery, use of lasers, hospital privileges...etc. If I had the opportunity to go back and make another choice and knowing what I do today about health care and my own hardwiring, I’d make the same choice for optometry--nobody loves this profession more than I do. http://www.ketchum.edu/index.php/about/administration-directory
I grew up with optometry and now it’s your turn to inherit its future. That’s what this blog is about—getting you into optometry school and I am just the person to help you achieve this goal. We’re going to talk about the admissions process, how to prepare to take the OAT, how to be a competitive applicant, how to prepare to interview, to name a few. We’re going to talk about SCCO, student life and what it’s like to be an optometric intern. I am very persuasive, motivating and I am completely sold on optometry as the best profession in health care. I speak from experience!
Get ready to dialogue. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and please, chime in on discussions. I want to know what kind of help you need. You got this!
View all posts by Jane Ann Munroe, OD, Assistant Dean of Admissions, SCCO