What should new Opticians know? Calling seasoned Opticians...

[NAICITPO]

My new pair of shoes always fits well with my Worker's Compensation Lawyer...

[Odin0425]

The one bit of advice I wish someone gave me is that an apprenticeship is just that. You are to work and learn in equal footing. Most apprentices will start at walmart or costco under an LDO that has way too much on their plate, and the apprentice inevitably have quite a large plate as well. It wasn't until about 2 years into my apprenticeship that I actually started learning about opticianry. Adjustments came naturally to me, and I have always been a gifted sales person. So that's what they had me do. TLDR, to a new apprentice, if you are in it for a career, the do the work and study, you should be able to take your abo basic exam within 6 months to a year, same with NCLE. Don't get distracted by the day to day grind.

[wmcdonald]

The one bit of advice I wish someone gave me is that an apprenticeship is just that. You are to work and learn in equal footing. Most apprentices will start at walmart or costco under an LDO that has way too much on their plate, and the apprentice inevitably have quite a large plate as well. It wasn't until about 2 years into my apprenticeship that I actually started learning about opticianry. Adjustments came naturally to me, and I have always been a gifted sales person. So that's what they had me do. TLDR, to a new apprentice, if you are in it for a career, the do the work and study, you should be able to take your abo basic exam within 6 months to a year, same with NCLE. Don't get distracted by the day to day grind.

Based upon my personal, and others research over many years, the thing we refer to as "apprenticeship" in Opticianry, has been little more than cheap labor. But, as one who has always been a proponent of education for us, I can proudly say that Apprenticeship has now returned in many fields, and it is becoming more. Hold tight! Things are taking shape, and we can benefit from these changes.