I had the same pediatrician from the day I was born, until the day I aged out of her office. No matter how many times I cried, she always gave the best health care, and I idolized her. When I was in high school, I came in for my annual physical and told her that I was interested in being a pediatrician just like her. And, as you can guess from the title, she told me no! She asked me if I planned on having a family and I told her yes (even though that’s a big question for a 15 year old). I’ll never forget what she told me: “Isn’t it ironic that I spend all day taking care of other peoples’ kids, but I don’t have time to take care of my own!” This shocked me because I had never considered work-life balance as a factor in choosing my future profession, but I’m so incredibly grateful for that moment.
Work-life balance is one of the many reasons optometry is a perfect profession for me, and hopefully for you if you’re reading this! If you’re interested in healthcare, but don’t want to be on call, optometry could be for you. I remember going home from my appointment with my pediatrician and searching “best healthcare jobs with work-life balance.” Lo and behold, optometry is at the top of those lists. You shouldn’t believe everything you see online, but after meeting and working with different optometrists, I have evidence to support those claims. Every doctor I’ve worked for has been able to set their own schedule, giving themselves at least 2 days off a week to spend time with their friends and family. Patients don’t call them at 3AM with eye emergencies. They can go home early if they need to attend an event. Also, I know optometrists that have time to pick up and practice hobbies such as taekwondo or crafting! Last but most importantly, optometrists go home happy. Their work-life balance keeps them from being super wound up and stressed, and that’s something I’m sure we can all appreciate.
In conclusion, optometry allows you to provide excellent health care to patients without compromising your personal life. As Hannah Montana said, “You can have the best of both worlds!” If you ever have any questions about SCCO or looking for tips as an applicant, please email me at katiekamikubo.scco27@ketchum.edu. I will happily answer any questions you have!
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