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

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
“Keep at it”: Louise’s 14-year journey from optics to audiology.

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/23/2025

Summary

When Louise Turton first joined Specsavers in Coventry back in 2011, she wasn’t chasing a dream career - she needed a job. “I’d recently moved to the area and wanted something stable,” she says. “I di

Teaser

Read more
Turning a life-changing diagnosis into a life-changing career

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/23/2025

Summary

Turning a life-changing diagnosis into a life-changing career Meet Gemma, a brand-new Specsavers Domiciliary Audiology Partner, whose journey from Optical Assistant to qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser

Teaser

Read more
From Spain to Republic of Ireland: Danna's story

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/21/2025

Summary

When Danna Garcia Reyes first began her studies in optometry in Barcelona, she wasn’t sure where the path would lead. Like a lot of students, she chose her degree with curiosity and a want to help oth

Teaser

Read more
Why I swapped a classroom for a career

Teaser

Apprenticeships

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/10/2025

Summary

Not everyone thrives in a traditional classroom—and Kaydyn Kent is living proof that success doesn’t have to start with a university degree. After a year at college left him uninspired and unsure of

Teaser

Read more
My 10-year story – with the badges to show for it!

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/09/2025

Summary

From Optical Assistant to Dispensing Optician and now Trainee Contact Lens Optician, Kerry Berridge has spent the last decade building a fulfilling career at Specsavers – all while raising a family an

Teaser

Read more
From the test room to the open road: Eleanor’s journey into home visits

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/08/2025

Summary

After nearly three decades in optics, Eleanor Hickman knew it was time for a change. But it wasn’t just any change – it was one that would take her out of the test room and into the homes of patients

Teaser

Read more
A Saturday job that sparked something bigger

Teaser

Partnership

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/07/2025

Summary

At 16, Charlie-Leigh Martin took a Saturday job at her local Specsavers in Chelmsley Wood. Six years later, she’s running her own store in Alcester as a director. “I was still in sixth form and thinki

Teaser

Read more
From college to clinical tech - growing with Specsavers

Teaser

Apprenticeships

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/30/2025

Summary

From college to clinical tech...and beyond Ellie Long, Apprentice Optical Assistant, tells us about her apprenticeship journey so far, and how she went from leaving college to joining Specsavers wi

Teaser

Read more
Home is where the hearing is

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/11/2025

Summary

Home is where the hearing is Aekta Patel, Audiology Director, shares her perspective on the value of partnerships in delivering audiology care through home visits. "It’s a tough gig. But it’s wo

Teaser

Read more
View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Optical Assistant

Salary

£25,882

Location

Oadby, East Midlands, United Kingdom

Store ID

1640

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant

Locations

Oadby

Description

Optical Assistant - OadbyAre you a caring individual looking to continue your career as an Optical Assistant? You’ve come to the right place.   We’re looking for passionate, hard-workers with some pre

Reference

sf-83663-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Rebecca Hooper View job
Optical Assistant

Salary

£25,882.32

Location

Ashby De La Zouch, East Midlands, United Kingdom

Store ID

1841

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant

Locations

Ashby De La Zouch

Description

Optical Assistant - Ashby De La Zouch Are you a caring individual looking to continue your career as an Optical Assistant? You’ve come to the right place.   We’re looking for passionate, hard-workers

Reference

sf-83662-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Rebecca Hooper View job
Optometrist

Salary

Up to £65,000

Location

Feltham, Greater London, United Kingdom

Store ID

0544

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optometrist

Locations

Feltham

Description

Specsavers. A household name and a Highstreet staple. And you could be part of the team.   We’re looking for a hard-working, passionate Optometrist ready to provide our customers with the best eyecare

Reference

sf-83661-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Alex Caluori

Author

Alex Caluori
View job
View more jobs