Natasha, an Optometry MOptom graduate shares her experience at Aston University
Natasha shares her highlights of the Moptom course, and extracurricular activities she participated in including volunteering for Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP), and gives an update about her career 5 years after graduating.
Background and the field of Optometry
I graduated from Aston University in 2018 with a Masters in Optometry. I feel like my education at Aston gave me a solid foundation and set me up to succeed and I've been lucky enough to explore so many opportunities since graduating. One of my favourite things about optometry is the variety - you can work in primary care at an independent or multiple, or work in secondary care in an NHS or private clinic.
There is also the option to teach, assess, or go into academia. There's even the opportunity to work for the General Optical Council, implementing rules and regulations that impact the entire profession or delve into the business side of things by owning an optometric practice.
Career
In my career so far, I've been able to explore many of these options. I started out at a large multiple practice and I loved being part of a large and busy team. While there, I achieved my professional certificates in glaucoma, medical retina and low vision before moving into secondary care in a private setting.
In this role, I did pre- and post-ops for cataract surgery, laser eye surgery and other types of refractive surgery, while working towards my independent prescribing qualification. I now work part-time in primary care at a small independent practice, and part-time at my local hospital doing paediatrics clinics.
When I can, I also work in a glaucoma clinic at the hospital and work as an assessor for local shared-care schemes, where patients who would normally be under the hospital eye service are monitored in primary care by qualified optometrists to reduce the burden on the NHS.
This varied work suits me well - I love that I have variety in my job roles while still having enough flexibility to spend time with my dogs and partner at home and pursue my hobbies. I honestly couldn't see myself doing any other profession and I'm excited to see where else this career can take me.
How did the quality of teaching and student support enhance your time at Aston?
The staff of Aston’s optometry department are so supportive and really want to see their students succeed. I found it useful to have different clinical supervisors in the third year because each clinician does things a bit differently, so you can then use your favourite bits from each person’s routine to create your own.
What was the highlight of your time at Aston?
The highlight of my time at Aston was when we started seeing real patients in clinics. It was a great feeling to finally put all of my knowledge to use.
Were you involved in any student societies or extra-curricular activities?
My most memorable extra-curricular activity was when I volunteered for Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP). The charity runs a clinic once a week and provides eye care and glasses to homeless people. It’s such a fantastic opportunity for optometry students to see another side of the profession while practising techniques in a different environment. And, the clinic is located at SIFA Fireside which is within walking distance from campus.
I definitely recommend that optometry students attend these clinics when possible, as I learned so much from them while also giving something back to the community.
How did you find the Aston campus experience?
I loved the campus at Aston. It’s much smaller than my previous university campus in Canada, and it was very easy to get from one building to another. Optometry students have all of their classes and clinics in the Vision Sciences building, which is very close to the library for those students who like to study on campus.
What was the best thing about being a student in Birmingham?
Birmingham has amazing transport links so it’s very easy to travel within the UK and even abroad.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of studying at Aston?
If possible, visit the universities that you are considering to get a feel for them, and choose your university based on where you can see yourself attending.
What would be your top recommendation to new students on what to do or see in Birmingham?
Brindley Place has great restaurants right along the canals, so I’d highly recommend going there. And this may sound weird, but Birmingham’s public library is a must-see! It’s a beautiful building and you can go to the top floor balcony and have gorgeous views of the city.
If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice as a first year student, what would it be?
Learn the basics really well, because everything builds on top of them, especially in optometry.