Originally Posted by
kcount
Diopterman et al,
I am one of those on lookers. I am not apathetic. I'm not unwilling to voice my concerns and opinion. I haven't posted because I already knew where this was going. The discussion was going to turn to education. The posters would separate themselves into one of two camps. They would either be for or against. Dr. McDonald would head up the education camp, and someone else would argue that they were being insulted and felt that their skill set was being held as cheap. (for those who don't understand the comment of "held as cheap" go read Shakespeare, Henry V, 'St. Crispian's Day speech') In the end Uilleann would burst on the scene and make remakes that you are all wrong, that you missed the point entirely, and then never give his own course of action on what needs to happen next. Oh, wait, I believe it was Uli who commented that there needs to be National Licensure. Although, if he were to spend some time with a US Congressman he would realize this is a state issue. I apologize in advance Brian as I have singled you out, you were not alone in this argument, you were simply the first I came across in the thread.
For the record, I am pro-education. Going so far as being one of the founding individuals of an organization many have just recently learned of, The Society to Advance Opticianry. I believe Opticianry should require advance certification in optics, the NCLE, and at minimum a two year degree (understand here that I personally do not meet these same requirements.). I feel that the future of opticianry can only be secured through education. Will I go and get a BA or BS? Probably not, I am already a business owner and as such have achieved my personal goals. Will I foster education and certification in my employees? Absolutely. I have already committed to assisting in the training and certification of two local opticians and feel proud to do so.
Not all of us will meet the new propossed requirements for entering opticians. This is alright, we don't have to. What we do need to do is stop hobbling the future of opticianry by our own fear and insecurities. We should instead instill the need for greater education and the advancement of opticianry through your words and mentorship. If you choose to obtain the new Ophthalmic Optican designation, do so with pride and vigor! Mention this new symbol of advanced opticianry and require the comes rate pay you so richly deserve. There are willing employers out there who see value in education and benchmarked ability. Seek these people out! In my own office I look forward to the day when I am in a position to offer a position to someone of this caliber.
Is Opticianry Dead? No! Opticianry is simply at a crossroads. For some, their concept of opticianry is fading. For others, their concept of opticianry is only now being born into the light.
The real questions are;
"Is your concept of the Modern Optician viable in todays day and age? Is the optician of tomorrow a simple order taker and temple bender or are they something more? What happens if we all get out of the way and allow the next generation of optician, the eager and hungry for knowledge generation thrive? What will you do to foster this new optician? What will you do to instill a sense of fearless thirst of knowledge and understanding? What will you do to launch the next great Entrepreneurial Optician, the next great Scientific Optician, the nest great Inventor Optician? What will you do? What will YOU DO?"
KC
Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Mentor, Thinker. Now, poster on this already tired thread.
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