From Classroom to Clinic—Resources for Your Career Success.
Issue: March-April 2026
While the annual calendar tells us we’re three months into this year, the student calendar signals that the finish line is clearly in sight. For optometry students, this is the time to accelerate into these final months of your school year and finish strong! In this issue, you’ll find resources you can harness to propel you forward in your professional pursuit.
Graduation is approaching quickly for fourth-year optometry students—a perfect time to pivot from your thoughtfully “preparing” to actively “positioning” for entry into the profession. Start your job search now, clarify your goals for your first OD role, and reach out to fellow students and professionals for support.
Recall all those networking events you’ve attended and all the recruiters, hiring doctors, alumni, or industry partners you met during your schooling. Reconnect with those contacts now, letting them know you’re ready to choose your destination; this network you’ve developed can help unlock interviews and referrals.
Take advantage of resources like VSP® Careers in Eyecare to explore various career options, including private practice, corporate roles, retail outlets, and more. Use this time to ask questions and leverage your resources as you transition from student to doctor.
Learn more at VSP Career Support
As this school year draws to a close, excitement builds for the well-deserved summer break and the anticipation of getting one step closer to graduation. While it’s tempting to embrace the freedom of summer, it’s also an ideal time to pause and reflect on your academic progress and professional aspirations. Take this opportunity to recharge but remain mindful of your future goals, especially as you prepare for your next year of study, possibly entering your fourth year.
During the break, thoughtfully assess your career objectives. Evaluate whether your studies are progressing in a way that will help you achieve the success you want. Ask yourself key questions: Where do you envision practicing? How do you want to practice? What values and priorities are most important to you as you pursue your career? Don’t hesitate to seek advice from peers and professionals who have already navigated this path. Networking—both within your academic environment and among established professional contacts—can provide valuable guidance and insights. As you connect with others, learn about their experiences and challenges, and use their advice to help shape your own journey.
We invite you to connect with the VSP Vision™ recruiting team; they are experts in nationwide hiring, across all practice modalities. And did you know VSP recruiting has an active presence in all 50 states? Nationwide access to job opportunities is just a click or tap away.
Connect with VSP recruiters now
At Vision Expo 2026 (March 11–14), nine optometry students participated in a VSP Vision Student Booth Tour led by Shenay Rich, VSP Student Relations Manager. The tour introduced students to VSP’s provider-focused programs and products, including VSP Premier Edge™, VSP Optics, Marchon and Altair eyewear, VSP Careers in Eye Care, and PECAA. Students asked thoughtful questions, deepening their understanding of how VSP supports them now and in the future—from classroom to clinic. Overviews of Marchon and PECAA were particularly impactful, as students connected with stories about private practice and recognized the importance of learning business skills. Many learned about and enrolled in PECAA’s Propel education program to access additional training and resources for their future careers. That evening, students and facilitators gathered for dinner, where fourth-year students focused on exploring career options and making postgraduation plans. The experience emphasized the value of early engagement, networking, and relationship building to help refine career goals. Students interested in similar opportunities are encouraged to reach out to the VSP Recruiting Team.
Connect with the VSP Recruiting Team
Congratulations to the 2026 recipient of the Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship. VSP Vision, in collaboration with the Heart of America Eye Care Congress, announced John Luder, a fourth-year student at the University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry, as the 2026 Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship recipient. John received a $4,250 scholarship and a $750 travel grant to attend the February 2026 Heart of America’s Eye Care Congress Conference in Kansas City.
This scholarship honors Dr. Frank D. Fontana, an optometric trailblazer and former VSP Ambassador affectionately known across the eye care community as “Uncle Frank.” Dr. Fontana practiced optometry for nearly 70 years and was known for his deep commitment to patients, colleagues, and the advancement of the profession.
Read the full Press Release. Learn more about VSP scholarships here
On February 16, VSP Vision™ welcomed over 50 optometry students to its Rancho Cordova, CA, headquarters for UC Berkeley Student Day. The annual event provides students with an inside look at how VSP supports ODs, from school to practice ownership and beyond.
Throughout the day, students connected with teams across VSP, including VSP Optics, Marchon and Altair, VSP Eyes of Hope™, Careers in Eye Care, Visionworks, VSP Ventures, VSP Vision Care, and PECAA. Students learned about the many tools, partnerships, and support resources available to them throughout their optometric journey.
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!
Private Practice:
Full-Time Optometrist – Nova Eye Care Center - Alexandria, VA Nova Eye Care Center in Alexandria, Virgina, is seeking an Associate Optometrist to join a dedicated team committed to delivering exceptional, personalized care and enhancing the gift of sight. As the patient base continues to expand, the practice is looking for a third optometrist who values teamwork, long-term relationships, and shows genuine investment in the success of the office (with the potential to transition into ownership as the current owner plans for retirement in the next 10 to 15 years). The position offers a welcoming, growth-oriented culture where new team members are encouraged to help shape the future of the practice while making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives every day.
Learn More / Apply Now
Onsite Clinics:
Full-Time Optometrist – VSP Onsite Clinics - 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.
Retail:
Full-Time Optometrist – Total Vision - Santa Clara, CA Total Vision is looking for motivated Optometrists who believe in delivering the best-in-class eyecare in the heart of Silicon Valley. If you're passionate about delivering exceptional eye care, including myopia management, working with diverse patients, and you seek a long-term home to grow your career, this position offers the chance to make a genuine difference within a community.
Full-Time Optometrist – Golden Vision- San Francisco, CA Golden Vision is actively searching for a patient-centered Optometrist for their growing practice, situated in the heart of downtown San Francisco. We offer a generous bonus structure as well as the opportunity to serve underserved patient populations in one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
Full-Time Optometrist – Visionworks (Professional Corporation) - Knightdale, NC >> Up to $20K Sign-On Incentive, plus Tuition and Relocation Assistance Available << This is a great opportunity to work in a well-established practice where you can focus on patient care. We offer a competitive salary, productivity bonuses, and excellent benefits. Enjoy work-life balance and modern technology within a supportive culture.
Full-Time Optometrist – Eye Doctor’s Optical Outlets - Lake City, FL Eye Doctor's Optical Outlets, a VSP Vision company, has been supporting the eye health of the central Florida community for more than 35 years. Our team is collectively dedicated to providing our patients with the highest level of customer service and quality eyewear at an affordable price. Offering a fun and inclusive work environment, you’ll know that you’re doing work that matters—helping people bring their best vision to life.
Sublease Optometrist – Visionworks - Cherry Grove, OH Own Your Practice. Be Your Own Boss. Entrepreneurial Optometrists seeking the freedom of private practice with the support of a nationally recognized brand will find an exceptional opportunity as a Sublease Optometrist with Visionworks in Cherry Grove, Ohio. This role offers the unique chance to own and operate your own independent optometry practice within a high-traffic Visionworks location, without the overhead and administrative burden of a traditional standalone office.
As a sublease optometrist, you’ll enjoy full clinical autonomy, set your own schedule, and build your practice your way, while benefiting from Visionworks’ established patient base and retail presence. This opportunity is ideal for an optometrist who values independence, business ownership, and long-term growth while delivering high-quality, patient-focused eye care to the community.
Full-Time Optometrist – Visionworks - Coon Rapids, MN >> Up to $200k in Student Loan Repayment or $150K Sign-On Bonus << Visionworks has a new store opening in Coon Rapids, MN, and we are looking for a full-time Optometrist to be part of the action! The store comes with a fully trained staff transferring from another location. They are eager and ready to be in their new sleek space. As our new Optometrist joining the team, you focus on patient care (we handle the administration work) so you can work directly with the other doctors in a culture of clinical support. Enjoy competitive compensation and great benefits, too!
Medical:
Clinical Optometrist – Aran Eye Associates - Miami, FL At Aran Eye Associates, you'll have an incredible opportunity to improve and preserve the precious gift of sight while making a difference each day, and we are seeking a medical-trained Optometrist to become a part of our growing medical/surgical practice. If you're dedicated to a career helping individuals to see their world clearly, and you're looking for a long-term opportunity where the possibilities are endless, Aran Eye Associates in South Florida is where you want to be.
Ventures:
Full-Time Optometrist—Monte Vista Optometry—Turlock, CA >>10K Sign on Bonus and Relocation Assistance<< Monte Vista Optometry’s mission is to enhance the health of our community through service, compassion, and expertise. As a well-respected business in the Turlock, CA community serving multiple generations of families, this thriving practice continues to grow. A long-term opportunity is immediately available for a full-time Optometrist. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with a skilled team of professionals in a rewarding environment, making it ideal for both recent graduates and those seeking to transition into a new role. With significant potential for growth, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact in the community!
Career Support Resources
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