This is the first blog of my practicum experience series. In this series, I will share my experiences from my first practicum in the Licensed Optician program. Practical experience is one of the main reasons that Stenberg College stands out. It is an important aspect in finding employment after graduation and something prospective employers look for when hiring new grads. This blog will be about an Optician’s main duties. My following blogs will include the role of fashion, sales and other aspects of this career.
Best way to fit in
The first practicum takes place after the eyeglass portion of the course is completed, then the next one adds contact lenses to your duties. Walking into the store I was assigned to for my first practicum with equal parts excitement and nervousness. I was unsure as to what to expect but I was also confident in the skill set and knowledge I had learned so far.
The staff and manager were extremely friendly and immediately supportive! They asked me to observe and shadow other opticians and to ask any questions. I was asked to do whatever tasks I felt comfortable doing. I decided the best way to familiarize myself with their eyeglass frames, styles, and brands was to go through each one and perform standard alignment on them, which is a skill you are taught in class. And they had over 1300 frames!
Have confidence in your skills
Performing standard alignment allowed me to feel more secure and knowledgeable about the styles and frames they had and to show the staff I was comfortable and confident in handling/adjusting high-end frames worth thousands of dollars. This was all due to the fact that Stenberg’s Licensed Optician program trained me by going through hundreds of glasses in class, in all sorts of situations, repairs, and various other required duties, so by the time you go and apply your knowledge, you are completely confident that you are ready to handle any new challenge you will experience.
Stay tuned for my next blog post about my first practicum! I will share how to excel at your practicum and earn respects from senior professionals.
What’s standard alignment? It means to make sure the frame is straight and even, the nosepieces secure, properly angled, and screws are tight. This allows for a uniform set of glasses for customers to try.
