Classroom to Clinic— resources for Your Career Success.
Issue: April 2026
“Good luck” is best defined as “when preparedness meets opportunity.” So, in your job search, put luck aside and, instead, put preparedness on your side.
Here are tips, tactics, and resources to help ensure you’ll be ready for the job opportunities that will come your way.
Get ready. Be ready. Let’s go!
Graduation is around the corner—and for many 4th year OD students, so is the job search. If you’re getting ready to apply, interview, and step into your first professional role, these focused refinements can make a big difference.
Dr. Quy Nguyen, VSP Senior Director of Doctor Relations
Interview readiness (even without full-time experience) You don’t need years of full‑time work to be a strong candidate. Employers look for skills, mindset, and potential—and you already have more experience than you think.
Tip: Interviews are less about having the “perfect” answer and more about showing how you think, communicate, and learn.
Resume final polish before you apply “at scale” Before sending out multiple applications, pause and make sure your resume is working for you—not against you.
Tip: A clean, well‑organized resume signals professionalism and attention to detail—qualities employers notice immediately.
Presenting yourself confidently as a new graduate Confidence doesn’t mean having all the answers—it means trusting the foundation you’ve built.
Tip: Employers expect new graduates to grow into the role. What stands out is self‑awareness, coachability, and enthusiasm.
When you bring preparedness into your job search, you’ll tame any feelings of overwhelm or uncertainty. Be persistent and stay confident. And remember that many new grads land their jobs through active networking and direct outreach to hiring clinics. Of course, take advantage of resources at VSP® Careers in Eyecare to explore various career options in all practice modalities.
Learn more at VSP Career Support
Hiring practices are looking for new ODs who can bring immediate value to their offices. Likewise, new ODs are seeking job roles where they can best apply their fresh skills and insight while also demonstrating a foresight into elevating the practice—and often with an eye on operating their own practice in the future. Here’s how the PECAA C.A.R.E. framework can bring it all together.
Show that you bring C.A.R.E. to your job role by understanding and applying these principles of the framework:
Now see the C.A.R.E. framework in action. Read how Doctor Santrell Hart-Moreland, OD, a Georgia-based optometrist who leads three locations, has applied the principles to launch her into private practice and how it guides her in selecting ODs to operate and grow her business. Read about PECAA Propel’s C.A.R.E. in action
Job fairs are one of the best tools in your job search toolbox. They’re so much more than “swag in a bag”; they’re your venue to make real contact with job recruiters and gather information about job opportunities. Here’s your readiness checklist to get the most from every job fair you’ll attend.
Maximizing the Power of In-Person – Job listings tell you about position requirements, but recruiters at a fair tell you the real-world specifics.
Connecting for Keeps – Go beyond a collection of business cards and general “Apply Online” portals. Make it personal.
Get Their Pulse for Your Pitch – Here’s where you find out if what you emphasize about yourself excites them about potentially hiring you.
Courting Competitive Offers – When you have the “right stuff” for more than one recruiter, let that be part of your negotiation for who will land you in their job.
For every recruiter encounter you have—across different job fairs and even from booth to booth at a single event—be sure to refine your pitch, your presentation, and your expectations. Shoot for the moon, but even if you don’t land there, you’re still among the stars. Good luck!
Connect with the VSP Recruiting Team
Apply today for your chance to receive one of four $4,000 scholarships. The Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award is offered to active members of the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA). Read more below to learn how you can apply. Applications and submissions are being accepted now through May 17, 2026.
Apply today! Read about eligibility requirements and submission details below. And learn about Dr. Poston and his 70-year legacy of founding VSP Vision™ through insightful vision care innovation and advancements in accessibility.
Learn more, apply here | Discover VSP scholarships
It’s recruitment season and whether you’re in the first year or the fourth year of optometry schooling, job recruiting events are happening nationwide where you can learn more about job prospects. Look at this VSP-curated calendar of upcoming recruitment opportunities, then make your plans to attend. For this year’s grads, be sure to apply the tips you’ve just read in this issue of Career Connections and show up, in person and in front of the people who just might say to you, “You’re hired!”
Click to view the calendar
Find hot OD job opportunities in a variety of career settings, from private practice to corporate to medical hybrid settings and more. Find the career opportunity that suits you. Visit the VSP Careers Page today!
Retail Opportunities
Total Vision Full-Time Optometrist Santa Clara, CA Total Vision is seeking a passionate Optometrist committed to delivering best-in-class eye care in the heart of Silicon Valley. This role is ideal for doctors who enjoy working with diverse patients, providing services such as myopia management, and are looking for a long-term home to grow their career. Make a genuine difference in your community while being compensated accordingly.
Learn More / Apply Now
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Golden Vision Full-Time Optometrist San Francisco, CA Golden Vision is actively searching for a patient-centered Optometrist to join their growing practice in downtown San Francisco. This opportunity offers a generous bonus structure and the chance to serve underserved patient populations in one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
Learn More / Apply Now ________________________________________
Optical Outlets
Full-Time Optometrist Lake City, FL Eye Doctor’s Optical Outlets, a VSP Vision company, has supported the eye health of Central Florida communities for more than 35 years. Our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and quality eyewear at an affordable price. Enjoy a fun, inclusive work environment while helping patients bring their best vision to life.
Visionworks Opportunities
Visionworks — Employed Full-Time Optometrist Toms River, NJ | Charles Cummins, O.D. – NJ Group Join a well-established, reputable practice focused on high-quality patient care. This opportunity offers a competitive salary, productivity-based bonuses, comprehensive benefits, modern technology, and a collaborative culture that values your expertise and work-life balance.
Visionworks — Sublease Optometrist Independent Practice Opportunity League City, TX This opportunity is ideal for entrepreneurial Optometrists seeking full-time clinical autonomy and practice ownership. Visionworks’ Sublease Program offers the freedom to build your own practice while benefiting from strong brand awareness, established patient flow, and operational support in a vibrant Gulf Coast community.
Visionworks — Employed Full-Time Optometrist Oswego, NY Visionworks is seeking an ambitious Optometrist dedicated to excellent patient care. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, this role offers a fresh start with a fast-growing organization focused on helping patients see, feel, and look great.
Learn More | Apply Now
Visionworks — Employed Full-Time Optometrist Springfield, PA This role is ideal for Optometrists with an entrepreneurial spirit who are passionate about patient care and long-term practice growth. Candidates should have strong clinical and interpersonal skills and be committed to providing comprehensive eye care services. Additional incentives available for this location.
Visionworks — Employed Full-Time Optometrist Coon Rapids, MN Up to $200K Student Loan Repayment or $150K Sign-On Bonus Be part of a brand-new Visionworks store opening in Coon Rapids. Join a fully trained team in a modern space with a strong focus on patient care while administrative tasks are handled for you. Incentives include:
Corporate Opportunities
Monte Vista Optometry Optometrist — Full-Time Turlock, CA $10K Sign-On Bonus + Relocation Assistance Monte Vista Optometry is a respected, community-focused practice serving generations of families. This role offers a collaborative, growth-oriented environment ideal for both new graduates and experienced Optometrists seeking a meaningful long-term opportunity.
Private Practice Opportunities
Cole Family Eye Care Optometry Full-Time Optometrist Eureka, CA Cole Family Eye Care Optometry is a family-owned practice with a strong medical focus and commitment to exceptional patient care. The practice welcomes medical optometry residency-trained doctors and supports recent graduates with comprehensive on-the-job training in a collaborative environment.
Onsite Clinics
Full-Time Optometrist Liberty, NC An exciting sublease opportunity is coming in April 2026! If you have an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for patient-centered eye care, this is your chance to step into a brand-new vision clinic in Liberty, North Carolina. This is a great way for both recent graduates to plan their next career move and for experienced Optometrists to build their own practice.
Learn more/ Apply Now ________________________________________
Medical Opportunities
Aran Eye Associates Clinical Optometrist Miami Dade / Brower Counties, FL Join a growing medical/surgical practice dedicated to preserving and improving vision. Aran Eye Associates is seeking a medically trained Optometrist committed to comprehensive patient care and long-term professional growth in a rewarding clinical environment.
Career Support Resources
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February/March 2026 January 2026 November/December 2025 September/October 2025 August/September 2025 July/August 2025 May/June 2025 April/May 2025 Feb/March 2025 January 2025
December 2024 October/November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024