Hi, I'm 18 and live in the UK. I have recently gained a place to study optometry at university for this September. However, I'm having major doubts about studying for this degree.

A few months ago when I was deciding what to do at uni, I thought that Optometry sounded like a good course because after 3 years (+ one year vocational training) I would have a job which was well paid, and would have a job for life. The other plus points were that it was a 'medical' course and I would be helping people - which is what I want to do. But, the main reason was that I would have a well paid job after university with good part time opportunities.

The other vocational degrees I thought about studying were dentistry or pharmacy. The reason I didn't choose dentistry is because of the reactions people gave me when I told them what I wanted to. Also, I thought it could be a really boring career. I didn't choose pharmacy because I didn't want to study for 4 years and then be stuck behind a shop counter!

I've heard that optometry is becoming less of a profession due to large retailers such as Specsavers etc and also that the wages for opticians are going down. So this is something else that has put me off this career. Thinking about it, I really should have applied for medicine because it is a well respected profession and has plenty of different areas to go into. I would have had an extra 5 years to think about what I really wanted to specialise in instead of specialising in eyes for the whole of my degree and the rest of my life! But to do medicine you have to be really dedicated and hard working. I've heard about students working into the small hours of the morning and not doing anything but work. Pepeole have asked me why I don't do medicine and my answer is basically I don't believe or trust in myself. If I really wanted to do medicine I suppose I would just applied for it, but I haven't.

Here is another reason why I choose optometry: well paid even if part time, so this would give me a chance to go into acting - it's a childhood dream but I thought I could fulfill it later on in life i.e. after my degree when I have a profession and have something to fall back on if the acting career doesn't work out.

I'm really sorry about the length of this question, hope you haven't fallen asleep - just needed to give you all the facts with my feelings! I need some help and guidance so kind (or any) words would be appreciated. Thank you for your help!

There is a great leveling going on world wide. We are moving to where the easier it is to get into a field, the less it will pay. Here in the United States many people blame George Bush because it is harder and harder to find a job allowing you live like a king, and requires little more than showing up when you feel like it. If you want to make a good living helping people with vision problems, you may need to move up to an Optometrist or something requiring more preparation. On the other hand, Supersavers etc. still needs opticians. The pay will be less than being out on your own, and you will not have the freedom on the job having your own practice would give you. Working for a chain would have some benefits for an aspiring actor. You may not have the skills you need for a successful solo practice. You need to be able to manage any office help and sell to patients. You might not be able to pursue an acting opportunity that comes up because of the demands of your practice. An employer may work with you on adjusting your hours allowing you to eat between acting jobs.

You need to decide if you want to prepare more for a job and give up acting, or risk not making it as an actor, and still being stuck in a lower paying job. Life is about risks and choices.

Hello.

I am a certified optician, and have been in the field for almost six years now. I really enjoy it, and am constantly learning. I have decided to take it up and study to be an optician. I haven't applied yet, I want to get more of a handle on my undergrad first.

However, if you do have any questions about the field, or what I do, or anything like that, I'd be very happy to help out.

There are different opportunities available for pharmacists. It ranges from clinical to administrative.
It's not just behind the counter and retail.
Here in the US.
I am in pharmacy school now.