JUMP TO CONTENT

“Specsavers is part of who I am today.”

Written byNatassia Gunn
Posting date: 20 Mar 2025

Petru's Pavalasc adventure with Specsavers started in February 2014. He'd just moved from London to Bradford with his wife and their six-month-old baby, looking for more than just a job to pay the bills. He wanted something that offered growth and fulfilment.

Taking a chance

One day, while walking down Darley Street in Bradford, Petru saw a window ad for optical assistants at Specsavers. Even though his English was limited- he'd moved to the UK from Romania in 2008 and mostly worked with Romanians-he decided to give it a shot.

The interview

"Petru remembers, 'I went for the initial interview with then-director Peter Rooke. After a second interview, Peter told me he loves my passion but thinks improving my accent and English skills could really help with customer interactions. I told him, 'Give me three months to work on it, and if you're not happy with my progress, I'll step down.''"

A promising start


Petru got the job and, within three months, received a pay rise and a permanent position. He loved every minute of the job and was always excited about learning something new. This enthusiasm led him to approach his directors, Peter Rooke and Mike Dearlove, about enrolling in the day release Dispensing Optician (DO) course.


Academic pursuits

In 2015, Petru started the DO course at Bradford College, graduating in 2018 with distinction—all while working full-time and welcoming a second child. Towards the end of the course, there was a pivotal moment. One day at work, a patient he had previously helped was upset in the waiting area. She had been diagnosed with a retinal detachment and needed to go to A&E immediately. Despite her distress, she couldn't stop praising the optometrist, Helen, for her calm and informative approach.

A defining moment

Petru says, "That moment made me want to provide my patients with the same assurance and play a significant role in their lives. I made a mental note that if there was ever a chance for me to become an optometrist, I would grab it with both hands."

Career progression

In 2019, after a few messages on LinkedIn and a face-to-face meeting with Dominic Doran, a former Regional Relationship Manager and now Retail Director at Specsavers Keighley, Petru was offered support to pursue his career progression with Bradford University to become an optometrist. He started the course in 2021, graduated with First Class honours in August 2022, and completed his Pre-Reg in February 2024.

Gratitude and ambition

"Specsavers is part of who I am today, and for this, I am forever grateful to the business and the people involved in my growth," Petru reflects. "This experience has inspired me to become one of the amazing Specsavers directors, just like those who believed in and trusted me. I want to play a pivotal role in the lives of our patients, community, and employees."

Looking ahead

Petru is now being supported to become a Specsavers business owner and is motivated to keep growing and learning. He looks forward to helping his community and inspiring future eye care professionals.


Your new career starts here.

Take a closer look at the different teams you could work alongside and explore different routes you could take in your future career.

Learn more
Written byNatassia Gunn
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

Love DO Week: Helping people see the world differently

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

14/09/2026

Summary

As a Dispensing Optician and Contact Lens Optician at Specsavers Newport, helping people see their best is what motivates Anni Waldorf every day. After 18 years in optics and four years with Specsaver

Teaser

Read more
Love DO Week: A career without limits

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/09/2026

Summary

When Emily Head started working in an optical practice at 16, she knew she wanted a clinical career, but one that would allow her to develop quickly, learn on the job and make a difference to people's

Teaser

Read more
Love DO Week: Caring for generations

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/09/2026

Summary

After 37 years as a dispensing optician, Tony Caffrey still loves helping people see clearly and feel confident in their glasses. As a partner at Specsavers Dundee, he's cared for generations of famil

Teaser

Read more
Love DO Week: From leaflets to leadership

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/09/2026

Summary

Dan Green's Specsavers journey started with a temporary contract handing out free sight test leaflets. Today, he's Head of Dispensing Development, helping others build successful careers in optics. Wh

Teaser

Read more
Love DO Week - From DO to Director

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/09/2026

Summary

When Angela Dawson joined Specsavers as an optical assistant at 18, she didn't expect it to become a 32-year career. Just two weeks after joining, she was offered the opportunity to train as a dispens

Teaser

Read more
Celebrating National Payroll Week 2026

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/09/2026

Summary

From forensic psychology to payroll senior When Lucy graduated from university with a degree in Forensic Psychology in 2021, she never imagined she'd end up building a career

Teaser

Read more
Doing the right thing, every day: how Specsavers is making recycling easier in our UK stores

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

03/09/2026

Summary

At Specsavers, sustainability isn’t a buzzword or a box-ticking exercise. It’s about doing the right thing for our customers, our colleagues and the communities we’re part of. One simple but powerful

Teaser

Read more
Sam Reed

by

Sam Reed

Sam Reed

by

Sam Reed

Qualification was just the beginning

Teaser

Partnership

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/08/2026

Summary

When Emma Ginger started her pre-registration year, she thought qualification would be the finish line. More than a decade later, she's an Optometry Partner in Exeter & Tiverton, helping to develop fu

Teaser

Read more
A career built on saying yes

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/08/2026

Summary

For Zoe Smith, a career at Specsavers was never part of a grand plan. 28 years ago, she packed up her life, moved from North-West England to South Wales at just 21 years old, and stepped into a role a

Teaser

Read more
I've found what I've been looking for

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/07/2026

Summary

Sophie’s career in optics didn’t follow a straight path. Starting as an Optical Assistant Apprentice with no prior experience, she explored both retail and clinical settings before finding her calling

Teaser

Read more
View all opportunities
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Trainee Optical Assistant

Salary

Up to £25,174

Location

Edinburgh, Scotland

Store ID

1490

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Trainee Optical Assistant

Location

Edinburgh

Description

Specsavers. A household name and a high street staple. And you could be part of the team.  So, you’re a proactive people person, passionate about retail and offering the best customer service? Sounds

Reference

sf-94779-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Find out more
Trainee Optical Assistant

Salary

£8.12ph - £12.83ph

Location

Newport, Wales

Store ID

0055

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Trainee Optical Assistant

Location

Newport

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, ju

Reference

sf-94778-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Find out more
Optical Assistant Apprentice

Salary

£8.20 per hour

Location

Newquay, South West

Store ID

0782

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Trainee Optical Assistant

Location

Newquay

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. If you’ve ever considered a career in optics, this Optical 

Reference

sf-94777-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Matthew Gubbin Find out more
View all opportunities