By Carissa Dunphy, ABOC

My first role working in a private optometry practice was at the front desk. I gained knowledge about the role and the field, but as time passed, I realized that I would eventually grow bored if I stopped learning. I sought out opportunities that could supplement my role, starting by attending local Chamber of Commerce meetings — eventually leading to being elected to their Board of Directors. Throughout my tenure on the Board, I got to learn the inner-workings and struggles those small businesses face, and the people behind them. Many relationships led to partnerships within the community — a favorite being the relationship our practice built with the nurses in the school district. We got a deep understanding of the vision problems they see in children, the district’s supplies for school vision screenings and discussed solutions for children with visual needs who don’t have the resources to get a comprehensive eye exam and/or glasses. These experiences have been invaluable throughout my career.

As I began expanding my skills to become a technician, and then optician, I had a strong desire to share knowledge with other people in the industry. I launched my own optical blog and corresponding social media channels and began writing and sharing photos. This led to collaborating with people across the industry and writing for trade publications. My world was opening up.

I began volunteering my time with state opticianry associations and decided to dive deeper and volunteer with a national association aimed to promote the professional development of women involved in the optical industry. It was not until this point that I realized how interdependent companies, big and small, are with practices — the scale of the optical industry exploded — and I never would have seen it simply by doing my day job.

While working in practice, my world seemed to be isolated to lens family A or B, frame company 1 or 2, my lab contacts and the reps who stopped in. In reality, companies truly work together to build a better industry — there is no A without B or 1 without 2. If I had stayed inside my practice box and not been curious about knowledge-sharing, I never would have gained this perspective.

Now, having had many years of visibility within the industry, a countless number of people have reached out to me wanting to talk about feeling stuck in their practice box — their day-to-day life lacks resources and curious people. There is no one answer, but I can tell you that finding like-minded people, groups of them, or mentorship, can do wonders for your professional development. Look around for organizations, associations, clubs — both in-industry and role-related — online or local. See what you find that piques your interest and participate in their community to get a feel for the organization and if it may be a good fit for you.

Go out and get it — write something, volunteer, collaborate — find what YOU want and need!