CareerSymposium2021

Thank you for joining our virtual career symposium this year. When we set out to create a program for our symposium last year, COVID-19 quickly upended our plans. As we look back a year later, we can’t help but marvel at what a different world we ended up in. This applies not just in our everyday life, but also in the industry that we all work in. Trends that were already in place, for example tele-optometry, were accelerated. Practices that had the right infrastructure and resources in place quickly pivoted and adjusted to the new dynamics, equipped with new policies and PPEs to create as safe a place for patients to be in as possible. And surprisingly, many of our colleagues reported they were busier than ever. As we’ve all experienced, when there are challenges, there also tends to be new opportunities. With that in mind, we hope everyone will take advantage of the virtual program we created – it certainly allowed for us to invite many more of our friends that normally wouldn’t be possible. There are opportunities to learn about the major changes and new opportunities in the industry, ways to handle student debt, learn critical lessons about private practice, and engage with doctors from all modes of practices and specialties. Last but not least, so many of our friends at our networking and career fair are excited to meet and share a myriad of career opportunities with you. We hope you listen and ask a lot of questions, strive to make connections with our guests, and come out more knowledgeable about what it is you may want to pursue – after all, the program was created with the intention to provide you with opportunities to focus in on the many pathways you could pursue in your career. Enjoy! Dr. Quy H. Nguyen

Executive Director, Career Planning and Development