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

"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

My experience matters: Why I made the move to Home Visits Audiology Director

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

03/17/2025

Summary

After 10 years of being an audiologist in a high-street store, Hasan knew he was ready for a change. With a shift in the demographic of people coming into stores and an increase in requests for home

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

From Zoology to Optometry - a journey of discovery

Teaser

Apprenticeships

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

03/17/2025

Summary

From Zoology to Optometry - a journey of discovery James Roberts recently celebrated a significant milestone in his career journey by achieving a distinction in his Lab Technician Apprenticeship. Addi

Teaser

Read more
A rewarding career that really makes a difference - Mark's story

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

03/11/2025

Summary

Mark Devlin may have started his career working in store at Specsavers as “a stepping stone” but 10 years later he’s Audiology Home Visits Director and Partner. He tells us why he’s got the best work

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 £12.21 per hour

Location

Tamworth, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant

Locations

Tamworth

Description

Sunday Optical AssistantSpecsavers Tamworth AnkersideAre you a caring individual looking to continue your career as an Optical Assistant? You’ve come to the right place.   We’re looking for passionate

Reference

sf-81801-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Amy Hill

Author

Amy Hill
Amy Hill

Author

Amy Hill
View job
Optical Assistant

Salary

£10.20 - £12.41 an hour (depending on experience)

Location

Liverpool, North West, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant

Locations

Liverpool

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 Dispen

Reference

sf-81225-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Alicia Downingkeat View job
Weekend Optical Assistant

Salary

Competitive

Location

South Wirral, North West, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant

Locations

South Wirral

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 Dispen

Reference

sf-80188-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Alicia Downingkeat View job
View more jobs