Well its been a while since I have been on the blog but I wanted to fill you in with what has been happening recently. I have just finished my last externship in St. George, UT and I loved it. I learned so much from the doctors and staff there. I was treated like a doctor at this rotation. The staff would schedule patients for me and I had my own exam room and patient schedule. I was very fortunate that this is an SCO extern site. Both doctors here are SCO alumni and are wonderful. They have a wealth of knowledge that they are willing to share and they helped me achieve my goals.
I was also able to continue the job hunt. It has been going very well. There are many resources out there to help new graduates find a job they are looking for. I wanted to join a private practice and eventually become a partner. I was able to find exactly what I wanted. I will be joining a practice in Oregon, right on the beautiful coast. We are very fortunate and excited to begin this next chapter in our lives.
Some words of advice for those beginning this process next year. Start early!!! It does not hurt to start looking for jobs and networking early. Attend local and national meetings to start meeting contacts. Join state optometric associations and look at their classifieds. Contact drug/frame reps in the areas that you want practice in. Take full advantage of the SCO placement service. They have people from ALL over the country looking to add an OD to their practice. Stay connected with the AOSA (American Optometric Student Association). Through them and the AOA is a program called Optometric Career Center. There you can post your resume and search providers (similar to the SCO Placement Service). Begin to send out your resume (called a CV), cover letter (letter of intent), and some optometric reference letters (you get from professors or staff doctors here at SCO) early. Get your name out and be involved. Take any interview you can and be prompt with your emails and contact with possible employers.
I hope some of this advice will help you when you reach this part in your life. I am feeling a bitter sweetness right now. I am very sad to be leaving SCO. It has been a wonderful place to grow and learn. My family and children have loved living here and we will definitely miss it. But we are excited to begin this next chapter in our lives. I am fortunate that I am a life long member of the SCO family. I will enjoy making the trips back here in future years to attend continuing education programs and other events. I hope that over the next few years, you too will realize the importance of SCO and the impact it has on our lives. Thank you SCO, faculty, staff and students for all you have done for me and my family!
I have enjoyed sharing this small part of my life here at SCO with you and wish you all the best. Good luck with your endeavors.
Cheers,
-Riley