Early career professionals on forming connections in their first job

For early career professionals in their first job, the connections they form at work can help to make the job more enjoyable as well as serving to enhance their professional development.

Colleagues can support early career professionals through opportunities and challenges at work, providing invaluable insight at times of uncertainty.

For optometrists who have relocated for their pre-registration placement or first job, there can be additional hurdles in establishing professional and personal connections away from family and friends.

In this feature, OT speaks with early career professionals about what they have learned about building a network in their first job – and how this has enhanced their working life.

From Yorkshire to Cardiff

Optometrist, Nkosi Yearwood, grew up in Yorkshire before completing his optometry degree at Cardiff University.

He completed his pre-registration year in 2022 at A & A Stevens – an independent practice in Caerphilly.

This is the same practice where Yearwood took up his first job as a qualified optometrist and now works.

Yearwood shared with OT that his decision to work in a location away from his family was a hard choice, but he was attracted by the broad scope of practice in Wales when compared to England.

“I was the first in my family to go into optics as well, so all of my networking during university was Wales-centric,” he said.

“I had also fallen in love with Cardiff as a city, and my life in a different place, and didn't want to leave,” he said.

The optometrist observed that he can still travel back to Yorkshire within a few hours to see family.

“For me, it was a good mix of being my own person but not losing touch with my roots and family,” he said.

Reflecting on how he has built professional connections within optometry, Yearwood shared that he became involved with regional optical committees (ROCs) when he was still at university.

A & A Stevens supported Yearwood in continuing to attend ROC meetings during his pre-registration year and current role.

“Optics is a very small world but lots of people were really helpful and supportive,” Yearwood reflected.

In terms of establishing a social network in a new location, Yearwood told OT that he was surprised how many people moved away from Cardiff after completing university.

Getting involved in different activities outside of work, such as pottery and board game evenings, has helped him to form new friendships that have extended beyond the hobby itself.

Yearwood also highlighted the value of getting to know people you interact with each day.

“Say ‘hi’ to your neighbour or ask a non-optometrist at work how their weekend was. I love to chat and a surprising number of people will become good friends if you're brave enough to make the first move,” he said.

Building bonds

Dispensing optician and assistant manager at Specsavers Broughton Park, Sarah Owen, completed her CLiP placement in June.

“I’ve been very fortunate because I worked in my practice for several years as a dispensing optician before training to become an optometrist,” she told OT.

While Owen will be working in a familiar environment in her first job as a qualified optometrist, she has observed many new starters join the team during her time at the practice.

“I think the most important thing is to make an effort to integrate yourself into the team,” Owen advised.

“Eat your lunch in the staff room with everyone else, and when you’re not testing, don’t be tempted to stay in your room between patients,” she added.

Owen highlighted the value of getting to know colleagues and saying yes to social events.

“Those informal moments can be just as valuable as the time you spend working together,” she said.

Emily Taylor, who qualified as an optometrist in June 2025, began her first job at Monnow Eyecare, an independent practice in Monmouth.

When it comes to forming connections at work, Taylor emphasised the importance of being genuine.

“My biggest advice is to be yourself — you can never apologise for being who you are, and the right people will naturally gravitate towards you,” she said.

She also encouraged fellow early career professionals to ask questions and be open about not having all the answers.

“People respect honesty and openness, and asking for help builds trust. Hiding things only makes learning harder; being transparent makes you a better clinician and colleague,” Taylor reflected.

Hannah Silcock, who qualified as an optometrist in July 2025, shared that it was an adjustment to practise as an optometrist without a supervisor.

“However, I have learnt a lot over the last year, and I now feel much more confident in my clinical and communication skills,” she said.

Silcock is continuing to work in the practice where she completed her pre-registration year.

“I was lucky that the team I joined was very welcoming and supportive,” she said.

Silcock observed that forming connections at work can take time.

“It can be a case of finding common interests with others or having a laugh throughout the day, this has certainly helped me develop connections and even friendships with my colleagues,” she shared.