It is hard for me to believe that I have graduated optometry school four years ago this May.  As I reflect back on the past four years, many fond memories come to mind along with mistakes I have made.  I am very satisfied with the practice I work for today along with where I am at now in my career.  However, that was not the case with the first practice after graduating school that I signed a contract with.  I would like to take this opportunity to share with my fellow optometrists and future optometrists some of the mistakes I made and how I grew from my downfalls.

Mistake #1- Settling in My Comfort Zone

I knew what practice I was going to work after graduating optometry school when I was a freshman at the University of Kansas.  He was my optometrist since I was in 4th grade.  I worked for the practice in the summer for 6 years.  I knew all the staff and how the practice was ran.  He was in a solo practice and was looking to hire an associate and said he would hire me!  It seemed to be a perfect situation. So perfect that I did not explore any other opportunities.  You could be missing your dream opportunity by being settled in your comfort zone or not have a job at all!  Network, attend your optometry association meetings, explore all your options, call local optometrists.  The ‘perfect’ opportunity could end up being the ‘perfect’ disaster if you do not break through that comfort zone barrier.

Ashley Blasi, OD is an associate at Drs. Fisher, Yarrow and Fleming, Optometrists, in Wichita, KS.  She has been with the practice for close to two years.  She will continue to guest post for the next couple of weeks on “Mistakes I have made.”