“I was inspired by an ophthalmologist I met in a cafe”

How did you discover this profession?

I became aware of this profession unconsciously from the age of four, since I myself started wearing glasses at that time. I became fully aware of this profession around the age of 16, when I researched several professions to see what attracted me.

Who influenced or inspired the decision to go into optometry?

I was inspired by an ophthalmologist I met in a coffee shop. She bought me a drink as a thank you. We ended up chatting and, as I was telling her about my dilemma of not knowing what I wanted to do, she told me about her job, all the good and bad. I think that resonated with me. At the time, it was exactly the push I needed to start attending university open days.

What were the main reasons why you wanted to become an optometrist?

I found it to be a very balanced career choice. I liked the prospect of being able to make a difference in people’s lives while having a good work-life balance.

What internships have you completed and what have you learned from your experience in optometry so far?

I did day internships at Optical Express and Newmedica, following the path of optometry operators. I also shadowed orthoptists at a children’s hospital. I learned over time that the world of optometry is vast and ever-expanding and that collaboration within a multidisciplinary team is truly the art of patient care and management.

Do you have a career plan in mind? What are your professional goals?

Right now I’m just trying to survive my pre-registration. But after that, I’m not sure. I’m keeping my options open. I’d like to delve deeper into special effects and cosmetic contact lenses if the opportunities present themselves. I’m a big fan of pop culture and media, so I kind of like the idea of ​​film and movie contact lenses, even if it’s just temporarily.

Personal rhythm, learning curve and listening to the mind and body

What helped you integrate into university or the job market?

I took things at my own pace and connected with the people around me. I think feeling comfortable in my surroundings helped me feel less nervous when I had to ask for help.

Is there anything you wish someone had told you about optometry before you started?

Not every day will be the best day and that’s okay. As long as you’re willing to learn from your mistakes and treat the lesson as a learning curve, you’ll be a better person.

Not every day will be the best and that’s okay

How do you manage to combine studies and work, social relationships and time for yourself?

I think I was lucky to find a workplace that is supportive and willing to answer my questions. So I often feel like I don’t have to juggle work and studies because I do them at the same time. When I’m studying, I always try to tackle the most difficult subjects first. As for taking time for myself, I find that I work better without a set schedule. I’m more in tune with my mind and body.

An unforgettable experience: the CooperVision OptiStudent competition

Formerly known as FORCE, the OptiStudent competition allows optometry students from across Europe to conduct research projects on a topic related to contact lenses or the anterior part of the eye. Samya has been named one of the winners of the OptiStudent UK & Ireland 2023 event.

What was CooperVision’s OptiStudent event about? What was the goal of your project?

Our project focused on the impact of heat and massage on the meibomian glands in contact lens wearers. The event consisted of preparing a presentation explaining the methods, motivations and results of our project.

How did the OptiStudent experience go? What did you learn from this experience?

This experience was incredible and I will never forget it. As a result of this experience, I gained a new appreciation for the research aspect of optometry as well as how optometry studies differ in different parts of the world compared to socializing with other laureates.

What does winning mean to you?

Words can’t explain it. It’s something I didn’t plan for myself, so it means a lot. It’s a win I’ll always look back on fondly. It really helped confirm that I made the right career choice.

Pictured: Dr Debarun Dutta, Senior Lecturer at Aston University and Student Supervisor, OptiStudent UK & Ireland 2023 winners Mohammed Fardin and Samya Haque from Aston University, Tom Elliott, Professional Affairs Consultant at CooperVision, and Professor James Wolffsohn, OptiStudent Awards Judge and Head of Optometry at Aston University.