JUMP TO CONTENT

Discovering career possibilities

Written byNatassia Gunn
Posting date: 13 Nov 2024

Lauren Smith thought she needed an optical degree to have a career with Specsavers. She quickly realised this isn't the case. Ten years on, she reflects on her journey from being an apprentice to managing a store.

“I was born and raised in Bristol and lived there all my life until recently. Now, I’ve moved to Wales— well, just 20 minutes over the Severn Bridge... but it's still another country,” Lauren laughs.

“My career with Specsavers started in 2014 when I joined the Cribbs Causeway store. I was doing okay in school, but I wanted to start working. Halfway through sixth form, I started looking for jobs. I didn't really have much sense of direction, other than knowing I wanted something healthcare related. That's when I found the apprenticeship role at Specsavers and noticed I could work here with no degree.”

Climbing up the ladder

Lauren’s career is nothing short of inspiring. Starting as an apprentice, she quickly climbed the ladder and worn many hats - from store merchandiser to training ambassador, from in-store trainer to dispensing optician, and even dispensing manager. Today, she’s shining as an assistant manager at the Bradley Stoke store.

“Not having a degree didn’t hold me back. As I’ve worked my way up the career ladder, I’ve obtained qualifications like the BTEC accredited Cert 3 and Cert 4. I even qualified as a dispensing optician in 2019—something I couldn’t have dreamed of doing back in 2014.”

Leading the launch of Myopia Management, a new standard of care at Specsavers, was one of Lauren’s proudest moments. “Our store led the region for months, and I received a lot of recognition for it. I even gave presentations to managers and directors about our success! I was nervous, but it was a huge confidence booster and proved to me I know what I’m talking about.”

Looking to the future

Over the past year, Lauren has been discussing her future with the store partners. “We’ve talked about my goal of becoming a store partner myself one day. I’ve realised that I love teaching and helping others grow so I think it’d be the most logical next step for me.

At the moment though, I am loving my current job. I’m out there at career events and schools showcasing what we offer. I want everyone to understand that joining us isn’t just about getting a job - it’s about opening a world of opportunities they had never even thought of.”

Written byNatassia Gunn
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

Celebrating National Payroll Week

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/29/2025

Summary

Celebrating National Payroll WeekPayroll might happen behind the scenes, but it’s at the heart of every organisation. Our Payroll Services team is a mix of problem-solvers, people champions, and proce

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Shaping the future of optometry, one conversation at a time

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/27/2025

Summary

Rachel Pointon’s career in optometry has been anything but linear—and that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring. From hospital clinics to high-performing stores, from mentoring pre-regs to influencin

Teaser

Read more
"The most fulfilling part of my role is having the time to connect with patients"

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/27/2025

Summary

Hi, I’m Alan 👋 I grew up on the southside of Glasgow and I’m currently the Lead Optometrist at Specsavers in Sauchiehall Street. How did I get here? To be honest, I was never entirely sure that op

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

From law to lenses: Hannan Qureshi’s story

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/22/2025

Summary

From law to lenses: Hannan Qureshi’s story After years in the legal profession, Hannan Qureshi has made a bold career switch to follow his passion - becoming the new Retail Director at Specsavers Shep

Teaser

Read more
“I’ve found my place here.”: Daniel's story

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/22/2025

Summary

“I’ve found my place here.” Meet Daniel – Optometrist, Specsavers Home Visits Manchester Daniel Morgans didn’t follow the usual path into optometry. His early career included everything from call cent

Teaser

Read more
A career shaped by experience- and instinct: Sara's story

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/22/2025

Summary

A career shaped by experience- and instinct When Saraneeya Sivathas joined Specsavers as an Optical Assistant during her BioMed degree, she had no idea that a part-time job would spark a whole new car

Teaser

Read more
"I'm just happier in this role" - Ella's career story

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/18/2025

Summary

"Home visits is refreshing, it’s fulfilling, and I wouldn’t go back.” Meet EllaElla Helliwell lives in a quiet village in Cheshire with her husband and their cat, Rosie. After moving away for universi

Teaser

Read more
Coming full circle but with a different lens!

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/15/2025

Summary

Parth Shah, Lead Clinical Performance Consultant (CPC), qualified as an optometrist at Specsavers in 2003. Since then, his journey has taken him from the clinic to the classroom, the boardroom, and ev

Teaser

Read more
“I believe that we're not just Specsavers - we are lifesavers.”

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/28/2025

Summary

A career begins with a life-changing moment When Mahnoor Khan joined Specsavers Norton as a pre-reg optometrist, she never imagined her clinical training would be put to the test in such a personal an

Teaser

Read more
Deepali Modha’s unconventional career journey

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/25/2025

Summary

When Deepali Modha first qualified as an Optometrist, she never imagined her career would one day take her far beyond the test room. But over the years, she’s carved out a path that’s as inspiri

Teaser

Read more
View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Dispensing Optician

Salary

Competitive

Location

Hyde, North West, United Kingdom

Store ID

0221

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Dispensing Optician

Locations

Hyde

Description

Dispensing Optician Whether you’ve just qualified or already have experience and looking for a new challenge, our Dispensing Optician role could be just right for you.If you are looking to join a busi

Reference

sf-82196-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

View job
Dispensing Optician

Salary

Up to £30,000 + bonus

Location

Chatham, South East, United Kingdom

Store ID

0182

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Dispensing Optician

Locations

Chatham

Description

Position: Dispensing Optician Location: Chatham, KentSalary: Up to £30,000 per annum depending on experience + performance related bonusWorking hours: Full and part time considered with alternate week

Reference

sf-82156-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Blair Mills

Author

Blair Mills
Blair Mills

Author

Blair Mills
View job
Dispensing Optician

Salary

Up to £30,000 per year + individual bonus + £5,000 joining bonus paid after successful

Location

Woking, South East, United Kingdom

Store ID

2429

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Dispensing Optician

Locations

Woking

Description

Position: Dispensing Optician Location: Brookwood, SurreySalary: £30,000 per year + individual bonusWorking Hours: Full time Experience Level: Qualified and GOC registered Dispensing Optician About th

Reference

sf-82155-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Blair Mills

Author

Blair Mills
Blair Mills

Author

Blair Mills
View job
View more jobs