
“Specsavers is part of who I am today.”
Sign Up For Post Alerts
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
#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish 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
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish 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
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish 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
.jpg)
Teaser
Home VisitsContent Type
BlogPublish 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
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish 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
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogPublish 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
.jpg)
Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
07/09/2025
Summary
From Optical Assistant to Dispensing Optician and now Trainee Contact Lens Optician, Kerry Berridge has spent the last decade building a fulfilling career at Specsavers – all while raising a family an

Teaser
Home VisitsContent Type
BlogPublish date
07/08/2025
Summary
After nearly three decades in optics, Eleanor Hickman knew it was time for a change. But it wasn’t just any change – it was one that would take her out of the test room and into the homes of patients

Teaser
PartnershipContent Type
BlogPublish date
07/07/2025
Summary
At 16, Charlie-Leigh Martin took a Saturday job at her local Specsavers in Chelmsley Wood. Six years later, she’s running her own store in Alcester as a director. “I was still in sixth form and thinki

Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogPublish date
06/30/2025
Summary
From college to clinical tech...and beyond Ellie Long, Apprentice Optical Assistant, tells us about her apprenticeship journey so far, and how she went from leaving college to joining Specsavers wi
Selected jobs for you
Salary
£10.20 - £12.41 per hour
Location
Welshpool, Wales, United Kingdom
Store ID
1680
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Trainee Optical Assistant
Locations
Welshpool
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-83775-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£25,812 plus per annum
Location
Taunton, South West & Channel Islands, United Kingdom
Store ID
0076
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Lab roles
Locations
Taunton
Description
Specsavers. A household name and a Highstreet staple. And you could be part of the team. We’re looking for a hard-working, passionate Optical Lab Technician ready to work within a fantastic team in
Reference
sf-83774-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Nichola Adamson
Author
Nichola AdamsonSalary
£7.75 per hour
Location
Bournemouth, South West & Channel Islands, United Kingdom
Store ID
2448
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Optical Assistant Apprenticeship
Locations
Bournemouth
Description
Optical Assistant ApprenticeshipCastlepoint, Bournemouth - located in SainsburysFantastic benefits - birthday day off, dental and medical, in store discounts plus more! Busy store with great opportuni
Reference
sf-83773-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Nichola Adamson
Author
Nichola Adamson