Piecing Together the Career Path Puzzle - Women ODs supplement

Sep 5, 2026

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Women ODs supplement content explores how optometry career paths often grow through flexibility, networking, and continuous learning rather than a single linear ladder. It highlights survey findings from women in optometry about mixing career options, balancing professional and personal responsibilities, and pursuing both primary clinical work and volunteer leadership. The editorial introduces the live event theme “Lean, Learn and Lead,” while an interview addresses career apex, advice for reaching ideal positions, and surprises in practice ownership decisions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time31 min

AccessFree to download

The Editorial Page

Creative Navigating

Finding Our Own Way

DEDICATED TO THE INTERESTS OF WOMEN ODs NOVEMBER 2014 Piecing Together the Career Path Puzzle Women ODs look for solutions that work for their lives SUPPLEMENT TO Introducing the most breathable color contact lens available1* contact lenses the first color silicone hydrogel contact lens sets a new standard. UNIQUE PLASMA SURFACE + 3-IN-1 COLOR TECHNOLOGY Before After To learn more talk to your Alcon sales representative or visit MYALCON. COM Carmen enhanced her look with Ste r ing Gray. PERFORMANCE DRIVEN BY SCIENCE™ *High Oxygen Transmissible Lenses: Dk/t = 138 @ -3.00D. ** Compared to ACUVUE^ ADVANCE^, ACUVUE^ OASYS^, PureVision^, Biofinity^ and Avaira^ contact lenses .†Lotrafilcon B contact lenses tested include AIR OPTIX® AQUA, AIR OPTIX® AQUA Multifocal and AIR OPTIX® for Astigmatism contact lenses . ^Trademarks are the property of their respective owners . Important information for AIR OPTIX® COLORS (lotrafilcon B) contact lenses: For daily wear only for near/farsightedness . Contact lenses, even if worn for cosmetic reasons, are prescription medical devices that must only be worn under the prescription, direction, and supervision of an eye care professional. Serious eye health problems may occur as a result of sharing contact lenses . Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses . Side effects like discomfort, mild burning, or stinging may occur. To help avoid these problems, patients must follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by their eye doctor. References: 1. Based on ratio of lens oxygen transmissibilities; Alcon data on file, 2013. 2. Based on in vitro measurement of contact angles of unworn lenses; significance demonstrated at 0.05 level. Alcon data on file, 2009. 3. Eiden SB, Davis R, Bergenske P. Prospective study of lotrafilcon B lenses comparing 2 versus 4 weeks of wear for objective and subjective measures of health, comfort, and vision. Eye & Contact Lens. 2013;39(4):290-294 . See product instructions for complete wear, care and safety information. © 2014 Novartis 2/14 AOC14003JAD-C 9 colors available with or without vision correction. The Editorial Page Creative Navigating In any number of careers, there is a linear progression in advancement. You come into the profession at an entry-level position, move your way up the ladder or maybe sidestep into a management role. Optometry—especially for women—doesn’t seem to follow that model. Many of the hundreds of women who responded to a Women In Optometry® poll said that optometry is a wonderful career that allows tremendous flexibility and opportunity to move into different practice or professional positions. Perhaps most intriguing of the survey findings was that among those women who didn’t feel that they were currently in an “ideal”job, 44 percent, the largest group, said that they felt like an ideal situation for them would be some mix of career options. Maybe it’s being a part-time owner and a part-time professor. Maybe it’s working as an employee in an optometric or medical practice and working for industry. That supports what we hear often from the women ODs we feature in these pages. All are proud of the primary work that they do within the profession. But many are equally proud of their volunteer work, their organizations, their service on boards or teaching or leadership skills. In fact, one of the characteristics they seem to share is the willingness and interest in learning throughout their careers. That’s why the theme of our second live event, to be held in November in Denver, is Lean, Learn and Lead: Women ODs share how experience, networking and opportunity promote career growth. The path through an optometric career for most women today doesn’t seem tobe to run from point A to point Z. It’s a more fluid line that weaves in the demands of being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and participant in the wo

FAQs

What career theme does the supplement emphasize for Women ODs?

It emphasizes a flexible, non-linear career path shaped by experience, networking, opportunity, and ongoing learning—often integrating both professional and personal roles.

What advice is given to ODs who feel they are not in an ideal position?

Set a five-year goal, maintain a positive attitude, and understand what you want before creating achievable objectives. Learn from your current position while working toward that goal.

What surprises do Dr. Jasper and Dr. Gilbert-Spear describe in their career paths?

They highlight unexpected people, opportunities, encouragement, and even criticism. Both also discuss how their interests and goals evolved, including Dr. Gilbert-Spear’s decision to own a practice soon after graduation.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Mali