For your eyes only

Q: Could you please tell me something about optometry and the nature of work in this field? Also, what is the difference between ophthalmology and optometry?

Geet Sabnis

A: Often confused with an ophthalmologist, an optometrist (also known as ophthalmic technician) is a professionally qualified primary eye care provider — akin to your family doctor for eyes. Optometrists assist ophthalmologists or recommend patients to specialists for secondary and tertiary treatment. An optometrist tests the visual acuity and prescribes corrective lenses. Adept at handling eye-testing equipment to examine a person’s vision, the optometrist fabricates lenses to prescribed specifications and fits them and other low vision aids to suit individual requirements.

With the increase in the number of aged people and the growing incidence of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy ? optometrists are an important part of the treatment. The need for spectacles and contact lenses, low vision aids and the management of eye disorders has given the profession a boost. Optometrists usually work in eye hospitals, clinics and opticians’ outlets or with multinational vision care companies. You can also specialise in particular vision disorders. After gaining experience in a private establishment or with a lens manufacturer, you can set up business on your own. This job offers regular working hours. Flexibility in practice and myriad choices in geographic location are some of the advantages of the job.

Whereas, India needs at least 2 lakh optometrists, the figure stands at a measly 5,000. And only 400-odd students pass out of various institutes every year. Moreover, with most people requiring glasses/lenses, a skilled and experienced optometrist is always in demand. Of late there has been a demand for some sort of regularisation to prevent malpractice. Also some institutes aren’t recognised. So enroll at a good place.

Secretarial moves

Q: I have been working as a secretary for the last five years. But I haven’t done any formal secretarial course. Could you please recommend some institutes that conduct courses in secretarial practice?

S. Banerjee

A: Some institutes that you could check out are: Regional Vocational Training Institutes, Calcutta. (http://dget.nic.in/schemes). The following colleges under the University of Calcutta are also worth taking a look at: Seth Anandaram Jaipuria College offers a vocational course in office management and secretary practice (evening). St Xavier’s College offers secretary practice course; Umesh Chandra College offers a office management and secretarial practice course (log on to www.caluniv.ac.in). Many government and private polytechnic colleges conduct courses in “modern business practices” which is the same thing.

Re-entering the job arena can be tough

Q: My sister finished her Plus Two 11 years back. After a long gap she is now doing her BA in sociology through correspondence. Is it possible for her to get any jobs and also, what opportunities does she have after completing the course?

Vishnuvardhan. H

A: Entering the workplace after a long break is not easy. Lack of experience and limited exposure may work against your sister.

However, the most important thing individuals need to focus on when re-entering the work arena is that it isn’t so different from the regular jobseeker’s focus ? figuring out the potential employers’ needs as well as evaluating your own past experience which would help you clinch that job. This is the most crucial aspect and being conscious of this helps the most in the job market.

Volunteer experiences, committee work, part-time jobs and leisure pursuits can all be used as experiences from which you can draw upon.

Like taking a group of kids on a field trip sounds a lot like special events management. When you break down the tasks, roles, responsibilities and the functions of any given accomplishment then the similarities between paid and unpaid work is quite easy to see. Sometimes the most difficult aspect of going back to work is figuring out what you want to do. Focus on your interests and the skills developed.

For example, an avid home decorator could apply for a stint as a window displayer at a local showroom or retail store. Also read up on the possibilities and identify the area where she could fit in. From editing and designing to creating instructional design packages to online tutoring to even starting a home-based business ?there are countless opportunities to be fruitfully explored.

Taking up relevant courses will be useful in updating her skills. Although sociology is not essentially a job-related subject, students of sociology head for the civil services or join anthropological or environmental movements. While many work in NGOs, some others take up developmental projects for international bodies like the UN. Yet others take on the role of welfare officers or teaching. Social media is another emerging field you could consider. Other options open to a sociology student include mass communication, law and management.