If you are currently looking to extend your knowledge and grasp of the optometric field, look no further than this page where current openings in private offices, research labs, clinics, etc. will be posted.
Note: Availabilities are dependent on the current job market situation
Disclaimer: The posting of opportunities does not constitute an endorsement by the UCB Foresight Club, the UCB School of Optometry, or the Regents of the University of California. We offer no guarantees as to the value of the opportunity or accuracy of its description.
If you are interested in having your own posting on this page, please feel free to contact Natalie: foresight.webcoordinator@gmail.com
Please include the following information:
-Job title
-Part-time/full-time
-Hours/days worked during the week (or if the position is flexible)
-Location
-Job responsibilities
-Contact information (ex. please call or email your resume at…)
-More information if you would like!
updated 3/20/2025
Pre-Optometry Grant
American Optometric Association
The AOA Foundation is excited to share information with you on the Opportunities in Optometry Program!
To promote inclusion in the optometric profession for generations to come, the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) have created the AOA/AOSA Opportunities in Optometry Grant program. This fund is designed as a one-time stipend for under-represented minority students interested in the field of optometry to help defray the costs associated with applying to optometry school.
Multiple grants of $1,500 each will be awarded annually to students who are chosen by the selection committee. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria (linked here) to be considered by the selection committee. These funds can be used toward the very first steps necessary when pursuing a doctor of optometry degree – off-setting the cost of the OAT exam, school application costs, professional attire or travel costs associated with interviews.
updated 3/20/2025
Volunteering
San Francisco
updated 3/7/2025
Internship
Pleasanton
Paid Pre-Optometry Internship
Pleasanton, CA
Our Paid Pre-Optometry Internship is ideal for recent graduates and undergraduate students in their final year looking to apply to optometry school within the next two years. This internship is a unique opportunity to work in a multi-doctor private practice setting. We offer a comprehensive training program with direct patient interaction augmented with assigned reading materials and quizzes. The position is Part-Time during the Summer 2025. The internship is Full-Time during the last two weeks of 2025 and for
a year after graduation. The internship is expected to conclude in Summer 2027.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The goal of the internship is to prepare students for success in Optometry School. We will teach various aspects of optometry including insurance, pre-testing patients, performing optical coherence tomography, obtaining patient’s visual acuity, checking patient’s eye pressure, styling patients with eyeglasses, and edging lenses, Administrative functions include billing, filing, cleaning, scheduling appointments, and managing inventory. Must be available to work on Saturdays.
IDEAL CANDIDATE:
Demonstrated interest in Optometry through academic coursework
Prior healthcare or retail experience
Outstanding customer service and communications skills
Enjoys talking and working with people
Willingness to learn and excel
HOW TO APPLY:
Please email us your resume, cover letter, unofficial undergraduate transcripts and references. Your cover letter should indicate (1) your desire to work as an Optometry Intern, (2) why you are pursing a career as an optometrist, and (3) your career goals after you graduate from optometry school.
Applications without a cover letter may not be considered.
Applications due by March 31, 2025.
Please submit your application to hiring@2020ew.com
updated 2/24/2025
Ophthalmic Technician
Oakland
I’m an ophthalmologist in private practice in Oakland, and we have an opening at our office this Spring that we’re excited to fill with a pre-med or nursing student taking a gap year.
Currently, this position is held by a UC Berkeley graduate who has been accepted to medical school. While we’re thrilled for her, this leaves an opportunity for someone else to join our team.We are looking for a graduate to serve as a technician in our office.
Responsibilities include working up patients and performing basic ophthalmic testing (training will be provided). There is also the chance to shadow me in both the clinic and the operating room. Our current gap-year graduate, Mary, has found the experience both educational and rewarding, and we hope to offer the same opportunity to another student. As an assistant professor at UCSF, I enjoy mentoring pre-med students, and this position offers a great learning experience. We’re hoping to fill the position by April, though we can wait until the summer for the right applicant.
Thank you!
Crystal Le, MD, MPHOakland Glaucoma Specialists
491 30th St, STE 103
Oakland, CA 94030
www.oaklandglaucoma.com
If you are interested, please send Dr. Le an email with your resume to lecrystalp@gmail.com
updated 2/19/2025
Optometric Technician
Walnut Creek
updated 2/7/2025
Optometric Assistant
Albany
updated 1/21/2025
Ophthalmic Technician
UCSF
updated 2/15/2025
Volunteering
Berkeley
East Bay Center for the Blind
What is the East Bay Center for the Blind: Established in 1939, The East Bay Center for the Blind, Inc. is an innovative, grassroots, nonprofit organization that seeks to empower blind and visually impaired individuals underserved by traditional agencies. We strive to actively facilitate independence, confidence, dignity and self-growth in our community.
Your Role as a Volunteer:
- Assist with clerical tasks (such as reading letters, organizing files, and other computer work)
- Using your visual senses! (such as locating items, helping out during classes, etc)
- Provide support for community outings and events (set-up/clean-up, sighted guide for walks and outing activities)
- Provide technical assistance (ie: data entry, website development, research)
Volunteer Expectations:
- Long-term and consistent
- Biweekly or weekly
- Communication
- Ie: unable to make a shift/ want to change shift times
- Respectful and Patient!
- On-time
- Eager to learn
Why You Should Volunteer:
- Get to know different types of people!
- Improve social skills!
- Pre-optometry opportunity
- Low vision as an optometry subspeciality
- Learn Braille!
- Or maybe yoga, pottery, or meditation!
How to Voluteer for the East Bay Center for the Blind:
Click on the following links to sign up:
Please sign in when you arrive at your volunteer shift. We’ve left a sign in sheet at the front desk of the center, so we can keep track of your hours/who’s coming so please sign in.
Contact Vickie if your availability changes or if you’re no longer able to make it. Please leave your contact information in the third tab!
Email: vickie_kuo@berkeley.edu
Phone Number: (909)685-6888
Other East Bay Center for the Blind Projects
- Fundraising
- Designing stickers
- Food Fundraisers
- Event Planning / Event Help
- Member Recruitment
- Updating Website/Social Media
- Other Ideas (such as teaching a class!)
Contact Vickie with any questions, concerns, or suggestions!
updated 1/8/2025
Optometric Technician
Los Gatos, CA
Polaris Eye & Laser is looking for a new technician. It’s an ophthalmology practice (and an optometrist comes in once a week) in Los Gatos, CA. It’s a great chance to get some clinical experience for people who may be graduating in Spring of 2025, since they will likely have to commit to at least 1 year there. If you have any questions or are interested, please contact Erin at (408) 644-1166 or email erinclee12@gmail.com.
updated 12/17/2024
InternsHiP
West Berkeley
Are you passionate about pursuing a career in optometry? Join us at Lunettes du Monde Optometry, a private practice in West Berkeley, for an enriching internship experience!
Position Details:
- Schedule: 3 days a week (preferably Wed, Fri, and Sat) for 4 months
- Hours: 15 hours per week
- Start Date: As early as January 15th
- Stipend: $1,500
What You’ll Gain:
- Hands-on experience assisting in the optical and providing top-tier patient care
- Opportunities to shadow our experienced solo optometrist
- Case discussions and insights into real-world optometric care
Why Join Us?
Be part of a supportive team dedicated to advancing your career in optometry!
Send your CV to lundumonde@gmail.com
For inquiries, call us at 510-559-8181
Apply now and take the next step in your optometric journey!
updated 9/5/2024
Clinic Volunteering & Shadowing
UCSF & Remote
updated 9/5/2024
Volunteering
Remote
Conversations to Remember, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated towards combating loneliness and isolation felt by senior citizens. We are very interested in partnering with your organization to have your members volunteer with us to help these seniors, many of whom are suffering from dementia.
Our virtual visit program matches 2-3 college students with residents of long-term care, assisted living, and memory care communities for virtual video visits. These seniors have been suffering from isolation, and your members could really brighten their days just by speaking with them. We provide training to the students in the program about the best ways to interact with the seniors, as well as additional support throughout their service. Since these visits are virtual, your members can do it without any travel. This is both convenient, and allows more of the volunteers’ time to be spent volunteering, rather than commuting to their volunteering location. We provide this program free of charge to seniors across the country, and have students from around the country as well. We would very much like to partner with you, and hope that your members would like to volunteer to help our seniors.
Typically, students volunteer one hour per week. Each call lasts up to one hour, based on the senior’s attention span and mood on each day. We expect students to volunteer for approximately 16 weeks, so that they can build a friendship with the senior. The students are matched based on the times that they’re available, with a senior who is available at the same time, and they will have a regular, weekly appointment for their visit. Students wishing for more visits or other opportunities that allow them to volunteer more hours can be accommodated with different ways to volunteer, such as assisting us with our social media, call support, or outreach.
We provide our program year-round, and start new students every week. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you have about the program, or to look through our website, at https://
