What's Next?

[melvilletim]

So, I have been in the optical business for 13 years. Still like what i am doing for the most part, but am getting to a point where i am wanting to do something more high tech. Like working for an advanced optics company making optical mirrors and complex lenses. However, i don't really know where to start. I ordered the ABO Advanced study book so i can at least have that certificate under my belt. A question for those of you who have been in this business for a long time and work for lens manufacturers and labs. Did you start as an optician and this was just the logical next step for your career? Did you get bored with what you were doing? I just feel like i've hit a plateau and am trying to feel out other avenues in this wide open business. I have no desire to get back into management, or work at a box store. I am the sole optician at an independant optical practice. Short of going back to college to get a degree in advanced optics, what can you suggest as an alternative to getting into another segment of this business?

[Jacqui]

Try an INDEPENDENT lab

[Chris Ryser]

Try an INDEPENDENT lab

Are there any left ?????????????????????/

[Jacqui]

Are there any left ?????????????????????/

Very, very few of us :(

[optical24/7]

See if TI still has it's missile optics program in Dallas. You'll be working with gradient index lenses, saphire lenses, ray tracing and measure your accuracy in microns. Very different than an ophthalmic lab.

[rinselberg]

See if TI still has it's missile optics program in Dallas. You'll be working with gradient index lenses, saphire lenses, ray tracing and measure your accuracy in microns. Very different than an ophthalmic lab.

TI’s multi-billion dollar Semiconductor Products business is headquartered in Dallas. This business has built its leadership position on the core technologies behind Real World Signal Processing™ solutions, making TI the world’s leading designer and supplier of digital signal processor (DSP) and analog technologies.

Dallas is also home to other TI businesses including Digital Light Processing™ (DLP™) Products, Educational & Productivity Solutions (E&PS), and Radio Frequency Identification (TI-RFid™).

More than 30 TI facilities are located in the Dallas area ...

You can search for job openings and apply on line:
http://focus.ti.com/careers/docs/sec...?sectionId=151

[Fezz]

I don't think that the ABO Advanced certification will help much or translate into the mirrors, advanced and complex optics world. The business are very different than ours.

Have you thought about teaching, speaking, writing about optical dispensing and such?

[GAgal]

I don't think that the ABO Advanced certification will help much or translate into the mirrors, advanced and complex optics world. The business are very different than ours.

Have you thought about teaching, speaking, writing about optical dispensing and such?

I agree with Fezz. I would try branching out by sharing your knowledge, rather than completely changing fields which is what I believe you will be doing if you went into advanced optics.

Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck:cheers::cheers: