I plan to make a positive impact as an Ophthalmic Support Service Professional by providing a service no not only those patients that I will interact with at my place of employment, but I can provide an essential service to those in need through volunteers work in my community and around the world. As an optician, I will have the ability to help a child who has never experienced the world with clear vision, see their mother’s face clearly for the first time. I can help an aging veteran read the news and connect with family on all of their electronic devices. I can help ease the fears of the new presbyopia patient through the process of getting their first multifocal glasses. I can help an individual who has overcome obstacles, pass their Commercial Driver’s License exam so that they can have a fresh start in a new career. As an optician, I can be a part of improving lived experiences for people of all ages, races, gender identity and religion. All people deserve the gift of sight, and I can be a part of breaking down barriers that stand in the way for some to utilize that gift. As an optician, I plan to participate in volunteer missions to underserved areas in my community, and when financially possible, around the world. I will stay up to date in the advancements and lens technologies to advance my knowledge and skill set as an optician to provide better patient care and offer solutions to vision needs. In addition to advancements in technologies, I can play a role in the education of patients for overall eye health, I can be a first point of contact for the patient when discussing concerns with their Optometrist or Ophthalmologist, providing care and comfort when appropriate for patients in times of need. In addition to staying up to date on latest technologies and care, I will help foster a bench of future opticians by continuously advocating for the field, being an effective coach and mentor those in the field and speak to the importance of the profession. I will use my lived experiences to garner interest to those whom are unfamiliar with what it is an optician does, and advocate for the health sciences career. Getting involved in the State societies like the Connecticut Opticians Association to get involved in the legislative process to positively impact the need for licensure not only for our patient’s protection, but for the positive impact that licensure makes for all Eyecare professionals