JUMP TO CONTENT

Karishma and her Kentish journey

Written byNatassia Gunn
Posting date: 13 Nov 2024

Karishma Patel enjoyed her summer placement in our Chatham practice so much, she completed her pre-registration there and is now working at the store full time. She shares why she stayed and how she’s helping the next generation of optometrists.

It was during her second year of optometry at Plymouth University, that Karishma started looking for a placement as an optical assistant. “I got offers from several companies, but I wanted to work for Specsavers as I’d heard good things about them,” she reflects. “I found out the Chatham store in Kent was looking for someone. I decided to visit the team and was really impressed. I realised I could learn a lot from them.

“As I was back home in east London for the summer break, I commuted into work. It wasn’t a problem though, as the journey only takes 45 minutes. I loved working there and just clicked with everyone. So, when they offered me a pre-registration place, I jumped at the chance.

Paying it forward

“After becoming qualified, I went back as a resident optometrist. Part of that decision is the commitment from the store partners to develop people’s clinical skills. I’ve gone on to complete the Minor Eye Conditions qualification and the Professional Certificate in Medical Retina, which they’ve funded. With their support, I want to do the Professional Certificate in Glaucoma next.

“Now, I’m supervising a pre-reg optometrist myself, guiding them through what’s involved and sharing my own experiences. I remember what it was like looking up to my supervisor. I want to be that person for someone else.;

“My plan is to be a store partner one day, which is why I’m getting more involved in management responsibilities. I’ve also enrolled onto the Specsavers Pathway to Partnership programme. Having my own business is a very exciting prospect.

“Recently, a patient I referred for retinal detachment surgery came in to thank me. He said my referral had saved his sight. It really brought home the difference I can make to people’s lives. That’s the biggest motivation in my career.”


Written byNatassia Gunn
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

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'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
“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
Optics to audiology – how my apprenticeship changed my life

Teaser

Apprenticeships

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/16/2025

Summary

Harry Ambler, trainee Hearing Aid Dispenser and former Apprentice Spectacle Technician, tells us his story so far, including how he had the support of his directors and colleagues during his studies a

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
View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Optical Assistant

Salary

£10.20 - £12.41 per hour

Location

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Store ID

0100

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant

Locations

Edinburgh

Description

 So, you’re a proactive people person ready to be the friendly face our stores need? Sounds like you’d be a great fit here. So, if you’ve had previous optical experience as an Optical Advisor or Dispe

Reference

sf-84393-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

View job
Part Time Trainee Optical Assistant

Salary

£10.20 - £12.41 per hour

Location

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Store ID

0100

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Trainee Optical Assistant

Locations

Edinburgh

Description

 Are you a caring individual looking to start your career as an Optical Assistant? You’ve come to the right place.  We aren’t looking for people with years of experience and heaps of qualifications, j

Reference

sf-84391-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

View job
Trainee Optical Assistant

Salary

£10.20 - £12.41 per hour

Location

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Store ID

0100

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Trainee Optical Assistant

Locations

Edinburgh

Description

 Are you a caring individual looking to start your career as an Optical Assistant? You’ve come to the right place.  We aren’t looking for people with years of experience and heaps of qualifications, j

Reference

sf-84390-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

View job
View more jobs