A nice young Optician had a session with me last night. Brand new and getting started with really positive attitude. She had gone to an established Opticianry program, and was well educated on basic optics, unlike most Opticians! We spoke for about an hour. He final question of about 10 was why I quit and went into higher education!
Some years back, I had enough. I was lecturing all over the country, Europe, China, Canada. I noticed that in Europe and Canada Opticians has some level of basic education. I'd stand week after week in front of "professionals" who could not do 3rd grade math! Prentices Rule! I quit!
Last year, when we still had an OAA, I was invited to attend the Leadership conference. I was pleased I did, far beyond just seeing may old friends I love and care about very much. I saw some new blood. Young people who wanted this profession to get ahead and improve.
Lately, there is movement again in something I was active in at the outset, Refraction by Opticians! In posts, the same old BS, "we can't do that!" shows up!
Folks Opticianry was good to me, and I wanted terribly to be good to it, making it better than when I began. There remains time. New state associations, new ideas and opportunities to go beyond traditional boundaries. Please take advantage of those things. Learn and grow.
Einstein defined insanity in this way, "doing the same things over and over and expecting different results."
Reach for the stars and make a difference.
Harry Chilinguerian has a new book, Refracting Optician. Read it and understand what he's doing is offering opportunity. When I came into the field the goal was to open an independent office, like everyone. We signed the front, not the back of the check.
I shared this with that young lady, and she's still excited. I hope you can gain some excitement too. I know some think that making a pretty pair of glasses is what we do, but I also know that yesterday, some "professional' on this board shows photos of a really il-fitted pair of spectacles tearing up someone's ears! Thin metal, high plus lenses and "high index". A rookie should know that aspheric designs are used in high plus.
If this is just a job to you, fine. But if like me and many others you saw an opportunity to be a true professional, and that still exists. Please help Grow this thing!
Some years back, I had enough. I was lecturing all over the country, Europe, China, Canada. I noticed that in Europe and Canada Opticians has some level of basic education. I'd stand week after week in front of "professionals" who could not do 3rd grade math! Prentices Rule! I quit!
Last year, when we still had an OAA, I was invited to attend the Leadership conference. I was pleased I did, far beyond just seeing may old friends I love and care about very much. I saw some new blood. Young people who wanted this profession to get ahead and improve.
Lately, there is movement again in something I was active in at the outset, Refraction by Opticians! In posts, the same old BS, "we can't do that!" shows up!
Folks Opticianry was good to me, and I wanted terribly to be good to it, making it better than when I began. There remains time. New state associations, new ideas and opportunities to go beyond traditional boundaries. Please take advantage of those things. Learn and grow.
Einstein defined insanity in this way, "doing the same things over and over and expecting different results."
Reach for the stars and make a difference.
Harry Chilinguerian has a new book, Refracting Optician. Read it and understand what he's doing is offering opportunity. When I came into the field the goal was to open an independent office, like everyone. We signed the front, not the back of the check.
I shared this with that young lady, and she's still excited. I hope you can gain some excitement too. I know some think that making a pretty pair of glasses is what we do, but I also know that yesterday, some "professional' on this board shows photos of a really il-fitted pair of spectacles tearing up someone's ears! Thin metal, high plus lenses and "high index". A rookie should know that aspheric designs are used in high plus.
If this is just a job to you, fine. But if like me and many others you saw an opportunity to be a true professional, and that still exists. Please help Grow this thing!
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