From crossroads to clarity

Cat Cooper's journey from Optical Assistant to Optometry Partner

Cat Cooper's career path is a testament to resilience and passion. Initially aspiring to study medicine, things took an unexpected turn. In just 13 years, she went from being a part-time optical assistant to becoming an optometry partner. She shares her journey and deep connection to her hometown of Arbroath in northeast Scotland.

“After the initial disappointment of not being accepted into medical school, I found myself at a crossroads,” Cat remembers. “I reluctantly accepted a backup place for biomedical sciences at Dundee University, but my heart really wasn’t in it. So, I decided to take a gap year. I dropped off my CV everywhere on the local high-street. I accepted and juggled two part-time jobs to keep me going until I could reapply for medical school.

Are they fulfilling your hopes and dreams?;

“Then, life threw me a curveball. Jamie, the retail partner at the Specsavers Arbroath practice, offered me an interview. I initially declined, telling him about my other part-time jobs. He then asked me a question: ‘Are they fulfilling your hopes and dreams?’ And it hit home. They weren’t.

“I took a leap of faith and joined. It quickly became a place where I could see an opportunity beyond medicine. When a full-time role came up, I jumped at it. Training as a dispensing optician fuelled a passion for optometry I didn’t know I had. It totally overshadowed my previous medical aspirations.”

Cat went on to study optometry at the Glasgow Caledonian University, successfully finishing her course in 2018, and after completing her pre-reg, she became a qualified Optometrist in 2019. She lived in the city and worked part-time at Specsavers. While she loved Glasgow’s hustle and bustle, when her pre-registration year arrived, her heart led her back home.

I love being the only person on a street yet being in the heart of everything

“Returning home was a no brainer. Four years after qualifying, I’m now a mother and optometry partner at the store where it all began. The location is perfect for my family and me. I love being the only person on a street yet being in the heart of everything. The huge country parks and beaches, just a 15 minute drive away, are places where I can let my dog off the lead and just be.

“Working in a town differs from city life, for sure. Our community needs a big practice like Specsavers. Without us, patients may have to travel up to 30 minutes for eyecare. The demand is so high that a local independent optometrist has closed its books to new patients.

The optometry community in this area is tight knit – everyone knows everyone

“We have a group chat for independent prescribers, regardless of where they work. If I need help or a fresh perspective, the local optometry community are ready to assist. Our store’s strong relationship with the hospital exposes us to a wide range of pathologies. The diverse age demographic means I’m always expanding my knowledge, which I thrive on.

I now get the chance to inspire others

“My passion for both Arbroath and Specsavers runs deep. It’s like having green blood in my veins. As a business owner, I now get the chance to inspire others coming into the industry unsure of what to expect. A bit like I was.”