“I have found out who I am and what I enjoy”

While studying economics at Coventry University, I started working at an optical practice as a part-time job.

That’s really how it all started. I would do the background tasks: stocktakes, filling in NHS forms – things like that. I was working in a back room, and I didn’t know that there was dispensing and other things going on. I thought people just came for their eye tests, and that was it. But gradually, my interest in what was going on in the practice started building. 

Then a new manager took over, who taught me how to dispense.

She said, ‘Why don’t you do the dispensing course? You seem to enjoy it so much.’ It was not something I was planning to do – it is completely different from economics. But I was enjoying it so much that I thought, ‘why not?’

I finished my economics degree, and then jumped straight into the ABDO College dispensing course.

Whilst training as a dispensing optician (DO), I managed the practice in Coventry. Once I had finished and qualified, I moved into managing another group of small practices in Birmingham.

I thought that was a good starting point for me to try something of my own. I’d managed a practice for someone for so long, I thought it would be quite a challenge to try and do it for myself too.

I wanted to be engaged in community work as well, so it gave me a good opportunity to do some community projects. We do lots of charity work. That was the biggest drive for me.

Alongside that, I started studying optometry.

The optometrist who I currently work as a practice manager for said, ‘you’re taking so much interest in the optometry side of things. Have you ever considered becoming an optometrist?’ I said, ‘Yes, but there are so many things going on. I’m nearly 30. I can’t do it.’ I thought it was too late.

He told me I’d regret it if I didn’t, and that it would be best for me to do it now. He reminded me that it’s never too late. He was a big support, and the inspiration for me to start the optometry course.

Returning to university, the biggest challenge that I faced wasn't academic, or even in planning my time.

It was going back to study alongside a group of students who were on a completely different journey. They were stepping into something new, and into their first time at university. I was there because I had already explored optics, and had a lot of experience. The biggest problem I faced was in trying to connect with my fellow students. But by the second semester, I think we had worked things out.

My favourite part of the degree, I think, is going to be pathology, which we’re going to be seeing more of in the next few years.

It’s going to be relevant to what I see day-in, day-out, in practice. I enjoy every aspect of the degree, but something that I would like to read further on and be very aware of is pathology – allowing me to hopefully solve issues for patients in the future.

I’m only in the second year of my optometry degree, but so far it has been great. The support I’ve received from Aston University has been amazing.

The biggest thing that someone can leave behind is to enable or inspire other people

After qualification, I plan to initially stick to the practice where I complete my clinical placement.

Working alongside many pre-regs, now I can see that it’s not as simple as qualifying and being able to do everything perfectly. It’s quite daunting, so sticking to the same place, maybe for at least a year or so, is not a bad thing.

I don’t necessarily plan to work as a resident at my own practice.

I can’t see myself testing five days a week, but it certainly will still be a big part of what I do in the future.

I might look into different opportunities related to optics – having a clinic for refractive surgeries, or joining projects abroad, where we can make more people aware of the importance of getting their eyes tested. Organising people who want to provide eye care for those in deprived areas is something that I’m quite interested in.

People in the UK are quite aware of getting their eyes checked, which is amazing compared to back home.

I’m originally from Bulgaria, and we only resort to a doctor of any sort if something is already wrong. Otherwise, you wouldn't go. It’s great that people here have that awareness, but I think we can do more. Clinics for homeless people being set up would be a great idea. That is something that I’m trying to implement now, in my own practice.

At the same time, I’m still managing the group of practices.

The atmosphere is great. Everyone is on their pre-reg journey, or their optical assistant course. Everyone is studying and doing something extra. It’s not a usual practice, where people come in nine to five – everyone is aiming for something. It’s very motivating, and a great environment.

I strongly believe that you need to inspire people.

The biggest thing that someone can leave behind is to enable or inspire other people. It might be pushing them towards a degree, or making them aware of a course. I think that’s the biggest thing you can do for someone and their future.

If I’d stuck with economics, I think I would be working as a project manager, or similar.

I don’t think I would have had the experience to start my own business. Maybe it would have taken me 15 years to climb up the ladder, to become some sort of manager somewhere.

I like working with people, which was quite surprising, because I never knew that I was a people person. Optics showed me that. That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve taken out of working in optics – that I have found out who I am and what I enjoy.