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The Opticianry Business

Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

Whether you're an optician with your own store or an optician employee, understand that the enterprise is a business.

OPTIONS ABOUND

Simply put, you become an optician to have a career that helps people see well, a wonderful and powerful job! Along the way, your optical career may go in different directions. For example, I've worked as a dispensing optician, contact lens technician, independent optometry and ophthalmology practice manager, and retail optical manager. I've been a member of the optical trade press for many years.

I've witnessed friends who transitioned their opticianry careers into teaching, consulting, sales representative work, and middle-to-upper management positions with manufacturers.

Run your career like it's a business and see where it takes you!

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Here are tips you can take to accelerate your opticianry career:

1 Become certified by the American Board of Optometry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) and maintain your certification. Info: ABOC-NCLE.org.

2 Opticianry licensure is a necessity in some states. Contact the government arm that oversees opticianry (e.g., Department of Health) and your state's opticianry organization.

3 Take advantage of exam preparation or basic opticianry skills programs in opticianry schools. Business management programs can help propel your career to the next level. Info: NFOS.org

4 Join your state's professional opticianry organization and get involved, along with national opticianry organizations like the Opticians Association of America and National Academy of Opticianry. Info: OAA.org, NAO.org.

5 Join local business groups like Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, or Lions Club.

6 Attend at least one regional or national optical event each year, such as SECO, ABO-NCLE National Education Conference, or International Vision Expo, to get education credits and keep abreast with the industry.

These tips offer professional connections and networking, but only if you get out there and get active. EB

Senior editor Karlen McLean has been in the optical industry for 35 years. She has spent half of that time in the dispensary. In this monthly column, Karlen shares her own experiences, and hopes you'll share yours. Contact her via email at karlen.mclean@wolterskluwer.com.