Drew Caldwell / Founder – OjO Recruitment Agency
There’s a unique moment that comes at the end of optometry training.
You’ve spent years developing your clinical skills, learning to care for patients, and preparing for the responsibility that comes with this profession. And then, almost suddenly, the question shifts from “Am I ready?” to something more complex:
“Where do I begin?”
For many new optometrists stepping into professional life, that transition brings both excitement and uncertainty. Over the past 17 years, we’ve had the privilege of walking alongside hundreds of doctors at this exact stage—listening to their questions, helping them evaluate opportunities, and watching their careers take shape.
If there is one thing we’ve learned, it’s this:
Your first position is not just a job—it’s a foundation.
A Thought on Your First Position
Oftentimes, high-achieving young optometrists feel a quiet but very real pressure to find the perfect first job.
In our experience, that framing can be misleading.
A strong first position is not defined by perfection, but by trajectory. It should give you the opportunity to grow clinically, professionally, and personally—while building confidence in your clinical judgment and patient care.
The best early-career environments tend to share a few characteristics:
- You are supported, not isolated
- You are learning, not just producing
- You are encouraged to ask questions and develop your own style as a doctor
It is worth seeking out a place where you are not simply filling a schedule, but being developed—a place where you can grow and contribute in meaningful ways.
Understanding Practice Environments (Beyond the Surface)
Young optometrists are often presented with categories—private practice, corporate, OD/MD—as if the choice is straightforward.
In reality, each setting exists on a spectrum.
We have seen exceptional mentorship in corporate environments, and we have seen private practices that vary widely in culture and expectations. Similarly, OD/MD settings can offer remarkable clinical exposure while providing a different pace and structure.
Rather than focusing solely on labels, we encourage you to look more closely at:
- The people you will work with
- The pace of the practice
- The types of patients and cases you will see
- The philosophy of care guiding the practice
These elements will shape your day-to-day experience far more than the category itself.
In case it’s helpful, we maintain a curated list of optometry opportunities across the country—ranging from mentorship-focused positions to partnership-track roles.
Browse current optometry opportunities
Compensation: A Broader View
Compensation is, of course, an important consideration—and it should be.
At the same time, we gently encourage new doctors to take a broader view. Many young optometrists we speak with are understandably focused on beginning to work through student debt. In doing so, it can be easy to focus primarily on starting salary, and less on the importance of joining the right team of optometrists and ophthalmologists.
Over the years, we have seen many situations where a slightly lower starting salary was paired with:
- Strong mentorship
- Attractive productivity bonuses
- Outstanding long-term growth opportunities
- An environment where the doctor became busy and confident quickly
In the long run, those opportunities often proved to be more rewarding—both professionally and financially.
It can be helpful to think in terms of earning potential over time, rather than simply starting salary.
The Value of Asking the Right Questions
One of the most overlooked skills in the interview process is the ability to ask thoughtful, well-placed questions.
Not just questions about schedule or benefits—but questions that reveal how a practice thinks.
For example:
- Thinking about your current physician team, what characteristics are you hoping to find in a newly hired provider?
- Why do patients choose to receive their care here?
- Why do optometrists and ophthalmologists stay here long-term?
- How do you support a new doctor in their first 6–12 months?
- What does success look like in this role over time?
- How do you help a doctor become busy and established?
The answers to these questions often provide a clearer picture than any job description.
On Culture, Mentorship, and People
If there is one theme that has consistently emerged over 17 years, it is this:
People matter more than almost anything else.
A supportive, collegial environment—where doctors and staff share a genuine sense of purpose and believe in what they’re building together—can accelerate your growth in ways that are difficult to quantify. By contrast, even a strong compensation package can feel limiting if the setting isn’t the right fit.
When you visit a practice, pay attention to:
- How do doctors speak to one another?
- How does the staff interact with leadership?
- Does the environment feel collaborative and respectful?
These subtleties are often the clearest indicators of what your experience will be.
A Longer View of Your Career
It is entirely reasonable not to have everything figured out at the beginning of your career.
At the same time, it can be helpful to ask yourself a few quiet questions:
- Will this position help me become the kind of doctor I hope to be?
- Am I learning skills that will serve me five or ten years from now?
- Will this opportunity help me become the best optometrist I can be?
- Are there opportunities here if I choose to grow within this practice?
You don’t need a final answer—but a sense of direction can be valuable.
Closing Thoughts
Beginning your career in optometry is both a meaningful and formative time.
While there are many decisions to make, we would offer one simple encouragement:
Take the time to choose thoughtfully.
There is no need to rush into a position that doesn’t feel quite right. The right opportunity will not only meet your immediate needs—it will support your growth and reflect the kind of professional life you hope to build.
A Final Word
If you find yourself with questions along the way, you are not alone in that process.
At OjO Recruitment Agency, we have spent the past 17 years working with optometrists at every stage of their careers. We are always happy to serve as a resource—whether you are exploring options, evaluating an offer, or simply thinking through what comes next.
If you need a sounding board, we’re here to help. Feel free to schedule a brief, confidential conversation with us here.
