Building a relationship with your local optometrist is vital if you are interested in the field of optometry, especially when it comes to a letter of recommendation. The same rules apply as above when it comes to asking for the letter and thanking them afterward, but here are some tips on how to create and nurture the connection:
- Attend events and seminars
- Look for local optometry events. Attend different talks, health care fairs, or national organization meetings where optometrists are likely to be. This allows opportunity for face-to-face interaction.
- Ask questions. When meeting optometrists, ask questions that show an interest in optometry. You can ask different questions, such as their mode of practice, how they got started, or for career advice.
- Offer your help
- Volunteer or intern. If you are looking for experience, offering to volunteer at their practice or asking about internship opportunities can help form a connection and start your experience in the field. Many optometrists also do volunteer work, so offering to help in that way can show them you are a service-minded individual like others in the field.
- Shadow them. Most optometrists are open to allowing students to shadow them if they are interested in the field, to allow them to gain more knowledge and experience. This is just another way to build a relationship.
- Stay engaged
- Follow up. After meeting, send a brief email or text sharing your gratitude for their time. Make it personal to the conversation. For example, thank them for their advice if they shared career advice, or inquire further about shadowing/work opportunities, should that conversation present itself.
Maintaining a relationship with your local optometrists can also be as simple as going to your annual eye exam and starting the conversation there. Tell your eye doctor you are interested in the field, and they may have advice or an opportunity for you already.
