A series of articles written by SCCO Student Ambassadors.

Enjoy the Journey!

By SCCO Student Ambassador, Hana Goto

Growing up, my family had our very own optometrist on speed dial, my uncle. (Who is also an SCCO alumnus.) I remember seeing my uncle every year at his practice; he always wore his white coat paired with a new tie every year. His office was always organized and professional, just like him. At the end of the exam, he rewarded my brothers and me with candy (Of course, the best part of the exam! 🙂).

Although I grew up with an optometrist in the family, it wasn’t until my undergraduate years that opportunities presented themselves and guided my journey to SCCO.

During undergrad, I was a research assistant on a project conducting visual tests for brain training, which started an interest in vision. Being part of the Nikkei Student Union club at UC Riverside, I met many people, including an SCCO student who encouraged me to attend an SCCO open house. I was beyond impressed by the students and faculty at the open house. Each speaker was professional and overflowed with a genuine passion for optometry. I was fascinated.

As a result, my journey to SCCO took shape. My fascination with the field led to working in an optometrist’s office, virtual shadowing optometrists, volunteer vision screening, and self-reflection. While I reflected, I envisioned myself as a doctor seeing patients daily. I concluded that this career was something I imagined myself doing for the rest of my life. Now I am next in line as the family’s optometrist.

If there is one thing I picked up along my journey to SCCO, it would be to enjoy the process, enjoy the adventure, and enjoy the moment. Yes, I mean enjoy those late study nights for your organic chemistry tests, 10 + page research papers, and even your extensive OAT study plan. This makes your journey toward optometry even more special.

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions or want to share your story, feel free to contact me at hanagoto.scco26@ketchum.edu

Click here to read Hana’s bio and meet other Student Ambassadors at Ketchum.edu.