When people decide to work at Specsavers, they’re joining a company with a purpose to change lives through better sight and hearing – hence why more Australians and New Zealanders choose the optometry provider over any other.
As one of the largest employers in the ANZ optometry sector, Insight sits down with an employee each month to hear about their growth trajectory within the company.
Specsavers stats
Name: Virginia Carlton
Current position: Clinical performance consultant VIC/TAS
Location: Geelong
Years within the business: 9
Why did you pursue an optometry career?
I’ve always had a passion for helping people and wanted a career in healthcare. I originally had a scholarship to study physiotherapy but having both my older brothers working in that field, I wanted to branch out to something different. One morning dad was reading the paper and read that Deakin was starting a new optometry school and that’s where my passion began. I started researching optometry and all the amazing things that optometrists can do and from there it was an easy decision.
How did you come to work at Specsavers?
I had always seen the Specsavers ads on TV but didn’t really get exposed to the business until university when selecting my final six months of placement. The support office team talked to us and I was surprised and impressed at the guidance they were providing students with mentoring, selection of the right store location and more. Exposure to so many different types of patients due to the volume of patients also impressed me.
It was an easy decision and a great learning ground. I also had an optical dispensing opportunity in my preferred location (Waurn Ponds and Belmont), four weeks before the beginning of my placement. This gave me valuable insights into the retail side of the business as well as the store culture. I knew then that this was a company I wanted to be a part of.
What was your first role within the business?
I was fortunate to be offered a graduate position while I was on my final placement. It was the perfect start in the industry. I had an amazing opportunity to work between two stores that each had varied patient demographics.
Working in a L-XL store meant I had an excellent support network. I worked alongside seven optometrists who had an open-door policy for advice and support, allowing me to pick up many tips and tricks to assist me with varied clinical presentations as a graduate.
What growth opportunities have presented themselves?
There have been many. I had the chance to become a graduate mentor and support young optometrists through their first two years in store. While I was doing this, the support office, and in particular the Graduate Department, had me present to Deakin students about joining Specsavers.
Around two years ago, I joined the Clinical Services Department within the support office as a clinical performance consultant for Victoria and Tasmania.
Our goal is to support our partners and team members
in store to deliver consistent and exceptional service. This role has helped me develop my public speaking, training abilities, influencing experience, leadership skills and more.
Can you outline your top career highlights at Specsavers?
There are so many highlights due to the variety in each day. Some include: Seeing personal and professional development in graduate optometrists I’ve mentored along their journey to owning their practices; exposure to international stakeholders and having the opportunity to show them how we work in Australia; and winning the Support Office Excellence Award in November 2022.
What excites you most about turning up for work each day?
Each day brings a unique experience. It’s an honour to positively influence our patients’ lives by supporting our partners, optometrists, and in-store team members to deliver exceptional service daily. What’s even better is that I get to work alongside an amazing team and department who not only keep me motivated but make the whole experience more enjoyable and exhilarating.
More reading
Specsavers Stories – Jacqueline Bell
Specsavers Stories – Briana Tsang
Specsavers Stories – Tina Ngan
