JUMP TO CONTENT

From crossroads to clarity

Written byNatassia Gunn
Posting date: 13 Nov 2024

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.”

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

Optical Assistant

Salary

£12.41 per hour

Location

Fareham, South, United Kingdom

Store ID

1462

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant

Locations

Fareham

Description

Optical Assistant Specsavers Whiteley, HampshireSpecsavers, a household name and a Highstreet staple. And you could be part of the team.  So, you’re a proactive people person ready to be the friendly

Reference

sf-82349-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Nichola Adamson View job
Contact Lens Optician

Salary

Up to £37,000 depending on experience

Location

Wrexham, Wales, United Kingdom

Store ID

0169

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Contact Lens Optician

Locations

Wrexham

Description

Want to be the reason why people should’ve gone to Specsavers? As a Contact Lens Optiician here, you’ll be the go-to for contact lens services, helping us keep the nation seeing 20/20. You’ll work wit

Reference

sf-82327-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Nimisha Mistry View job
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
View more jobs