JUMP TO CONTENT

The amazing thing about retail optics is the variation of career paths

Written byNikkie Stanley
Posting date: 12 Nov 2024

Annaliese Rodriguez Marquez, Optical Assistant, started out as an apprentice in-store straight after leaving school. She tells us her story about how she’s grown, both personally and professionally, and why she feels an apprenticeship is the best way to kickstart a career. 

I knew I wanted to make a difference 

“When I first came to Specsavers, I had no experience at all. Only having just left school, I had no work experience - I didn’t really know what optics was, if I’m honest. I came across the apprenticeship totally by chance, when scrolling online. When I read more into it, I thought it sounded incredibly interesting, and different to everything else I’d seen. I didn’t know what it was I wanted to do as such. I just knew I wanted to do something that would make a difference in society. That’s what set the Specsavers apprenticeship apart from the rest. It was clear the role helps to make a difference to people’s lives, plus it was local, and showed a clear path to a solid career. I just had to apply, and I’m glad I did as I was offered the role and completed a 12-month apprenticeship which was incredible.

The support I received was utterly amazing

As with any job, you get out what you put in. I worked very hard, and the help and support I received was utterly amazing. From my coaching sessions to the support from my colleagues, it was in abundance. And, if I’m honest, it’s necessary, as the amount of knowledge to learn is astounding. My in-store visits from my apprentice coach were extremely enjoyable; I was shown a lot of kindness and reassurance. We’d discuss where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do, which isn't the easiest thing to think about when doing the apprenticeship. But this was so useful as it helped to guide me through the apprenticeship and focus on some bigger goals for my future. My coach always made sure I was safe and comfortable in my environment, both at work and in my home life. The safeguarding I had throughout the course was brilliant. From my manager to dispensing opticians and other store colleagues, they were all committed to helping me learn and grow.  I couldn't be more thankful as they made my apprenticeship enjoyable and encouraged me to be at my best.

I'm able to grow, both as a person and in my profession

I was just 17 when I started my apprenticeship. I grew and matured a lot within the 12 months as an apprentice. As an Optical Assistant today, I reflect on my time as an apprentice and realise how much I learned. Though it came with its challenges, it was incredibly enjoyable and informative. I know I wouldn’t have been able to continue down the optical career path as easily as I am on if it hadn't have been for the apprenticeship. Since completing my level 2 Optical Assistant apprenticeship, I’ve completed my cert 3 and am currently doing my Cert 4.  I hope to go on to completing the Dispensing Optician course, and continue to develop and grow, both personally and professionally. Did I ever think I would see myself working in eye health before? No. But the amazing thing about this field of work is that there are so many paths that you can go down.  I truly believe that an apprenticeship is one of the best ways to kickstart a career.

Written byNikkie Stanley
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

From school leaver to Home Visits Director: Danielle's story

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/22/2025

Summary

From school leaver to Home Visits Director: A career built on care, growth, and support  When Danielle left school in 2005, she wasn’t entirely sure what her future would look like - but she k

Teaser

Read more
"I'm passionate that leadership is for everyone!"

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/08/2025

Summary

"I'm passionate that leadership is for everyone!"  In light of Learning at Work Week, Zoe Stebbings, Leadership Development Programme Manager for UK/ROI Retail, tells us about her career journey to

Teaser

Read more
"It's like watching light bulbs come on!"

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/08/2025

Summary

"It's like watching light bulbs come on!"  During Learning at Work Week 2025, Jenny Clifford, Global Learning Experience Design Lead, tells us why she loves learning and how Specsavers supports her

Teaser

Read more
"I wanted something bigger": Anna-Marie's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/02/2025

Summary

Born and raised in England, Anna-Marie moved to Northern Ireland at 18, unsure of her career path. She dabbled in painting and art, but it wasn’t until she took a receptionist role at an independent o

Teaser

Read more
Make a difference as a Dispensing Optician at Specsavers

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/14/2025

Summary

Rachel Clarke was seven years old when she decided she wanted to be an optician. Why? Because her ultimate hero, her dad, who knew the answers to every question she ever asked, didn’t know how her

Teaser

Read more
Personal and professional growth: Amy's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/14/2025

Summary

Amy Griffiths, a dedicated Dispensing Optician at the Swansea Specsavers store, has a life that revolves around her passion for optics and her energetic collie, Aurora. "My life kind of really centres

Teaser

Read more
From Optics to Audiology: Kristi’s journey

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/09/2025

Summary

Kristi journey from optics to audiology is a reflection of her determination and passion for helping others. Initially working in the Redditch branch of Specsavers, Kristi was intrigued by a career

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Relocating from Nigeria to the UK: Chidinma's story

Teaser

International Careers

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/08/2025

Summary

A new beginning Chidinma Ulu is an Optometrist who relocated to Bristol from Nigeria back in 2021. She’s excited to share her journey, from her education in Nigeria to becoming a fully qualified Optom

Teaser

Read more
From nervous beginner to confident leader: Katie's story

Teaser

Apprenticeships

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/03/2025

Summary

Katie Marshall, Supervisor in our Wellington store, started out as an Optical Assistant Apprentice. From going through some particularly tough times due to health challenges to flourishing in her care

Teaser

Read more
My Journey from South Africa to the UK: An Audiologist's Perspective

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

03/21/2025

Summary

Hi, I'm Deveny, and I'm currently working as a Hearing Aid Dispenser and Clinical Lead at Specsavers Bishopsgate in London. Before moving to the UK, I worked in South Africa across three different lo

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Optical Assistant

Salary

Up to £26,500 - Depending on Experience

Location

Woodley, South, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant

Locations

Woodley

Description

Optical Assistant - Crouch End 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

Reference

sf-82267-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Aiden Gerry

Author

Aiden Gerry
Aiden Gerry

Author

Aiden Gerry
View job
Optometrist

Salary

Competitive

Location

Longton, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optometrist

Locations

Longton

Description

Position: Optometrist Location: Longton Salary: Open to a newly qualified or an experienced Optometrist and a salary negotiable to reflect this + a lucrative bonus Working hours: Open to both full tim

Reference

sf-80496-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

View job
Trainee Optical Assistant

Salary

£24,500

Location

Hamilton, Scotland, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Trainee Optical Assistant

Locations

Hamilton

Description

So, you’re a proactive people person, passionate about retail and offering the best customer service? Sounds like you’d be a great fit here. So, if you’ve ever considered a career in optics, this Trai

Reference

sf-82287-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

View job
View more jobs