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Tracy Faulkner- Professional Career Development

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Professional Career Development Office

The Professional Career Development Office is part of S-A-C-D: the merger of Student Affairs with Institutional Advancement, Students, Alumni, and College Development. 

The PCD Office currently provides educational programs and support services to students and alumni in the optometry program.

The Office also assists optometry professionals in securing new associates and partners, and lists information for doctors who are selling their practices.  A major benefit of the PCD Office is a specialized placement network program, linked from ICO’s website. The On-Line Placement Program is available, at no charge, to all eye care practitioners seeking an optometrist, or for any ICO student or practicing optometrist (alumnus) seeking an opportunity.

A list of all job opportunity providers can be viewed at http://www.ico.edu.

For students, the PCD Office is a unique resource, linking them to business and practice management electives, mentor and networking resources, counseling in debt management, professional career choices and a variety of job placement services, mainly through the College’s Placement Website.

The Office encompasses a broad range of services such as resume and C-V writing, employment/contract review and personalized counseling. Its current mission for optometry students is to create an awareness and knowledge of the various methods of practicing their profession. The PCD Office will assist students with their future vision on their goals as primary eye care professionals for the achievement of career and personal success.

For more information, please contact:

Tracy Faulkner

Professional Career Development Counselor

Phone:            312 – 949-7403

Fax:                 312 – 949-7386

E-mail:            tfaulkner@ico.edu

Please visit our website: www.ico.edu

 
My name is Tracy Faulkner and I am the Professional Career Development Counselor.  I serve as a resource to all students, providing you with a wealth of information as you transition from student to practitioner. 
Information provided by my office includes: sample curriculum vitaes, information about state optometric associations, state board information, malpractice insurance information, financier and lender information, professional interview preparation, relevant industry information, and other optometric related placement programs. 
I also provide individual counseling sessions to any interested 4th year students concerning their career goals and needs.
My phone number is 312-949-7403 and my email address is tfaulkner@ico.edu.  Feel free to stop by my office which is located in the Career and Financial Planning Center, room 2530, on the second floor near the clinic entrance.
 
Congratulations to the Class of 2010!

OFF CAMPUS POSITIONS FOR STUDENTS

KENO OPTICAL
 
-any year student
-part-time
-Grayslake location
-responsibilities include: dispensing, shop work, filing, end-of-day posts
-contact: Dr. Grostick or Dr. Lieberman at 773-736-6800 or 312-782-4208


LENSCRAFTERS (Michigan Avenue)
 
-any year student
-part-time Optometric technician
-responsibilities include: preliminary entrance testing (VA’s, autorefraction, retinal photos, VF’s, color vision, stereopsis), general office help, and contact lens procedures
-contact: Dr. Jim Sementilli @ 312-819-0206 or 773-252-3333. 
 
This is a tremendous opportunity to learn practice management in this very successful and high profile office. 


OCCHIALI  (N. Wells)
 
-high End Boutique in Old Town
-any year student
-part-time (mainly Saturdays)
-responsibilities include: eyewear sales, explaining lens options, eyeglass adjustment, lensometry (lens neutralization/verifications), ordering merchandise and store/frame maintenance. 
-contact: Lisa at 312-255-1977
 
 

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE RESOURCE CENTER/PLACEMENT PROGRAM

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE RESOURCE CENTER/PLACEMENT PROGRAM
 
In order to better serve the needs and interests of ICO students and alumni, several programs have been initiated by the Professional Practice Resource Center to actively promote optometric practice opportunities. Students are encouraged to participate in the activities sponsored by the Professional Practice Resource Center during all four years of the ICO experience. 

 
The Center provides one-on-one meetings with 4th year students to profile their practice interests. Information provided to the students includes a sample curriculum vitae (professional resume), interview tips, state board information, state association information, state of the profession report, salary information, outside placement programs, American Optometric Association’s National Practice Resource Network applications, business plan information, and more. 

 
The center also sponsors the Placement Program at the Illinois College of Optometry which is on line and interactive through ICO’s website. Through the use of this on-line program, we are able to assist students, new graduates and alumni with locating practice opportunities and hiring new doctors for practices based on demographic information such as location, type of practice, community preference, etc. Practice opportunities for today’s optometrists are more varied than ever before: by utilizing this on-line interactive program we can assist our students and alumni in finding the best positions or best qualified ICO graduates to fit their needs. 

 
The Professional Practice Resource Center also assists students in locating part-time and summer positions in optometric settings. 

 
The Private Practice Club works closely with the Professional Practice Resource Center. They conduct several meetings during the academic year where private practitioners and practice consultants speak to students on all aspects of successfully operating a private practice. Meetings include everything from debt management, evaluating the worth of a practice, understanding a purchase or associateship contract, to writing a business plan. 

 
The Center also sponsors an annual Practice Opportunities Symposium to help students correctly envision the many options and opportunities as they begin the practice of optometry. Representatives from optometric associations, private practices, group practices, residency programs, government and corporate optometry, and all the myriad configurations are in attendance and meet with students to discuss employment opportunities. 

 
All of these initiatives are provided as a complimentary service to ICO students and alumni. 

Upcoming Events

More company interviews to come!

Optometric Oath

Before God and this assembly, I solemnly pledge that,
 
I will faithfully and conscientiously administer the art and science of optometry. 
 
I will keep inviolate all confidences entrusted to me as a practitioner and conduct all doctor-patient relationships in an ethical and professional manner.
 
I will place the treatment of all who need visual care above financial consideration.
 
I will uphold and promote the ideals of the optometric profession. 
 
I will do all in my power to improve my knowledge of optometry and increase the extent of my contribution to the health and welfare of society. 
 
I will render, to the best of my ability, complete optometric service. 
 
I will do my utmost to serve my country and my community faithfully, as an optometrist and as a citizen.
 
I will strive by action and deed to honor the title bestowed upon me this day. 
 
With firm resolution of purpose and high resolve, I proudly dedicate my work to the betterment of human vision and my life to the service of humanity. 
 
And may God watch over me, and keep me steadfast, in the due performance of this my solemn oath and obligation.