Eyedolatry: optometry school

What I'm Wearing with @prettyeyez_mel

The life of an optometry student is far from glamorous, but if you follow @prettyeyez_mel on her popular Instagram account (734 followers and counting!) you can understand why so many of us love optometry and the 4 years we spend in optometry school studying this profession. Melissa McLean is currently a student at NOVA, and her obsession with everything eyes started when she was very young. "I was born in Guyana, South America to parents of Indian descent and I have a hazel-green eye color (which is rare for Guyanese people). I grew up hating my eye color because the other kids made fun of me and called me "cat eye girl" which I didn't think was a compliment in those times. Cliche' as it might sound, I think I started appreciating my eye color when a boy thought I was beautiful because of it - that boy became my husband now. We liked each other for 16 years now and have been married for 5."

What first drew you to optometry?

Since I immigrated to this country and so many opportunities were opened up to me I knew that I had to take a chance at achieving greatness. Greatness, to me, was to help others. I spent my time in high school exploring different career paths and by shadowing different doctors. It was how I made the decision to pursue a career in optometry.

You're a student optometric physician at NOVA now; what are your plans after graduation?

After graduation I plan to stay in South Florida to practice. The climate, coconut trees, mix of people, and blend of cultures reminds me of where I grew up, plus I would be able to serve a population that very much needs optometrists as they age.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing this generation of graduating ODs?

I think the biggest challenge my generation of graduating ODs face is starting a practice of their own because of the competition with commercial practices owned by big companies who offer deals such as “two pairs of glasses for $69.95 with free eye exams”. It is my ultimate goal to have my own practice and optical in the future, however, with the costs of doing so and then having to offer exams at competitive prices it will be tough. Nevertheless I believe that quality service with a genuine nature to help the people would win in the long run.

You showcase lots of great eyewear on your Instagram account. What's your current favorite pair of glasses?

My favorite frames are the TF 2047-B by Tiffany &Co with the “key” temple design. I went with polycarbonate lenses and I do have a premium anti-reflective coating, UV protection and an anti-scratch coating. I have a wide selection of sunglasses; most are without prescription lenses for style and fashion, but have UV protection of course. My favorite pair that does have prescription lenses is Gucci which I bought many years ago. These have been into the ocean with me when I fell off a jet ski in the Bahamas but are still strong and classy. I have a gradient tint on them which looks gorgeous, but now I prefer polarized lenses so I need to convince the school’s lab to attempt a gradient polarized design (fingers crossed since I’m now in work-study there).

What eyewear trend are you currently loving?

Growing up I was teased for having green eyes because it was uncommon for an Indian-Guyanese girl and I was referred to as the “cat eyed girl” which I despised. Ironically today I embrace it and I do love the “cat eye” shape trend of eyewear.

What frame are you coveting to add next to your collection?

I love the TF2130 in Brown/Tan from Tiffany&Co.’s “Enchant” collection, and I also love their rimless design TF1110HB. Since I already have the traditional style in black I would love to add those to my collection of specs. As for sunglasses, the Dior “So Real” has me with heart eyes because of its unique design. I think sunglasses make for a great accessory to any outfit while serving such an important purpose of protecting your pretty eyes so really any funky style of sunglasses has me interested.

Tiffany & Co 1110HB

Any new lens technology you are planning to invest in for your next pair?

Since I need to update my prescription soon I’m considering getting a blue-blocking lens coating which I think would help me to regulate my sleep cycle a bit since I’m usually up all hours on my iPad, phone, and laptop. I’m also interested in getting an anti-fog coating because sometimes when I’m cooking and standing directly over my pot it gets annoying, not to mention stepping outside into the Florida heat from my turned up AC in the car (haha).

We know you love a good pair of glasses, but do you also wear contact lenses to show off your eyes?

I wear contact lenses mostly for special occasions and when I’m going places outside of school

(which is not often). I’m using the MyDay daily disposable lenses by CooperVision and they are

amazing. I have moderate dry eyes and these lenses keep me comfortable for the better part of my day. I do prefer glasses for day to day wear especially since I’m in optometry school and we examine and practice on each other.

Want to be featured on our next edition of "What I'm Wearing?" Just email me at eyedolatry@gmail.com. You can check out our previous interview with Dr. Fartash aka @glamoptometrist here.

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Negotiation Strategies with Dr. Mark Phebus

#womeninfocus 8:11 AM

Negotiation can be so intimidating for new doctors, so I was thrilled to get a chance to pick the brain of optometrist Mark Phebus, the expert behind 20/20 Consulting. Wouldn't it be great if you had your own personal coach with years of negotiating experience to guide you through your contract and help find ways to maximize your offer? That's Mark. He's a graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry with a residency in primary care and ocular disease and now practices in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since he began practicing, he's worked in both private and corporate practice optometry, and learned firsthand the importance of negotiating his own contract in the trenches of these experiences. He sat down with us to answer a few questions about how to make the most of your negotiation.

What inspired you to start consulting?

In all honestly, it started from me learning from my own mistakes. For my very first contract, I made the worst negotiating mistake possible. I didn’t try to negotiate at all! However, I negotiated pretty aggressively for my next two jobs, and I enjoyed the process and the results. Shortly thereafter, I ended up helping a good friend of mine with her contract just as a favor. She was scared to negotiate for fear of seeming greedy and having her job offer rescinded. However, after coaching her through the process, she realized it didn’t have to be scary and accepted an offer significantly higher than the original offer. Through helping her and from my own experience, I realized I had an idea for a company that could help a lot of students, residents, and young ODs negotiate their employment contracts.

What are common mistakes you see doctors, especially young female ODs, making in the negotiating process?

The biggest mistake that is made BY FAR is simply not attempting to negotiate at all. Not negotiating is probably a 50/50 split between fear and ignorance. I am trying to be the pied piper making every optometrist know that negotiating is not only an option but it's expected! Negotiating is a lot like dating. The worst they can say is no! No one ever regrets taking a shot. We regret being too scared to try. Our culture as a whole generally creates an environment where young females are expected to be proper and sweet. But when your business is at stake it's ok to separate from your normal comfort level in order to get what you deserve! I enjoy coaching that confidence into optometrists. That fear gets turned on its head and becomes a strength when you are armed with the right knowledge of how to approach the negotiation.

How often in your experience are doctors able to negotiate for a higher starting salary when they ask?

Every time. 100%. Although I don't just help negotiate salary. Most salary offers are competitive and only need minor tweaking. Benefits are much more important. Benefits can add up to 10 or 15 thousand dollars annually just by knowing what to ask for. Having a good salary but few paid days off is pretty common in initial offers. Let's be honest, we've all worked our tails off for 20 years to get where we are and we all deserve a paid vacation or two throughout the year! Paid leave is the most overlooked and under-appreciated benefit there is, especially for young female ODs who plan on having kids in the near future. Having lots of paid leave can help offset not having paid maternity leave as an employed optometrist.

Are there certain items that employers tend to be less willing to negotiate on (vacation days, non compete clauses, etc)?

Everything is negotiable. Nothing is off the table until you sign on the line. Paid leave and medical benefits are the hardest to negotiate. Employers within optometry tend to offer lower paid leave because it costs them money to pay you not to work. There might be a generational differences factoring in as well, but for the most part it just comes down to following the money. Medical benefits get a bit more complicated due to the changes that arose with the Affordable Care Act. Employers can no longer offer benefits to a select group of employees (e.g. offering medical to the doctor but not the optician) and thus this benefit became a larger cost to the practice that goes beyond just you.

If you have a roomful of doctors you'd like to inspire about the power of negotiation, what 3 things would you tell them?

If you are a female and you don't negotiate, you are contributing to the gender wage gap! It isn't just about you when you negotiate. Especially in corporate optometry, you can raise the bar on what is an acceptable offer for every doctor that comes after you. It becomes a great feeling to know you are both helping yourself and the profession.
Business insider recently estimated that the cost of not negotiating your entire life will amount to a loss of $1 million. $1 million! Go get your million back!
Whenever you negotiate and begin discussing money, you learn a lot about your employer. That can be both good and bad. But you want to know your employer before you begin working with them. And if they are willing to invest in you, then you know have found a great opportunity and have an employer who truly believes in you.

Are you looking for help negotiating your contract? Mark offers consultation through every step of the negotiation process, so reach out if you need a mentor in this process!

Mark Phebus, OD

Founder & CEO of 20/20 Consulting

(770) 548-6667

www.2020consultingOD.com

2020consultingod@gmail.com

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