Here in North Carolina, there are only 1,122 licensed opticians. There are approximately 10.44 million people, as of the 2020 census, currently living in our state. Roughly 60% of adults and 25% of children require the use of glasses or contacts to see. In our state that would equate to about 4.5 million people in our state that require the use of glasses or contact lenses. If each of those people saw an optician, that would mean our opticians are seeing over 4000 people a year. If you split them evenly across the year, that would mean each optician would be seeing about 61 people a day. I think we need some help in this field, and I am willing to help provide that help. I did start late in finding this career opportunity at the age of 34 when starting the program but it has been wonderful. My father had an injury that affected him at a young age that caused him to be mostly blind in his left eye. The doctor was unsure if it was genetic or not, but I would have to ensure that I get my eyes examined every year to ensure that my vision would not be affected. I have been getting my eyes examined since. I have found it very important and fortunate that my dad’s condition has not been found to be genetic yet. Currently attending the only licensed schooling program in the state, I have a 4.0 and work at one of the busiest Costco optical departments in the US. I am developing my experience in the field while developing my knowledge base in school. I am building my foundation to becoming a great optician being trained by those with 46, 23, and 17 years of experience as a licensed optician. I believe they are helping me with all angles of problem resolution and superior customer service. I am currently one of the top selling in the department, improving on sales categories such as Transitions, Multiple Pairs, and Polarized lenses. Every day is becoming easier to provide the appropriate information and understanding to our patients. Of course, I am trying to help reduce the number of errors that occur in the dispensing field by taking the time to help everyone and focus on asking the appropriate questions. I have learned the appropriate techniques of adjustment by starting from the front, but also the type of questions to ask someone who may be having an issue. This has been assisted by the great teachers at our program of study at Durham Technical Community College. Even with the experience I have in the field, the program has brought about great study and different experiences to what I may be somewhat limited with working at Costco. I am focused and engaged in ensuring I become not only a licensed optician but one who will make a great impact in the community by ensuring accuracy and information. I want to continue to help those in need of assistance with their vision needs while being kind and comforting. I hope this has taught you enough about me to consider me for this scholarship opportunity. I thank you for taking the time out to read this and hope you have a wonderful day.