Mentorship Matters: Building Meaningful Connections for Career Advancement
In optometry, it can feel like the path to career advancement is mostly about gaining technical expertise. But the truth is, those skills are just one part of the equation. For women in optical fields, having a mentor can be one of the most powerful tools to help foster both personal and professional growth.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate enough to have mentors who helped me see my potential and push me toward growth. I became who I am because of the people in my life – most notably, my grandparents, who I believe were integral to my character development.
They taught me how to envision your own path, and if that path isn’t available, create it, and always strive to make a difference for others. That foundation has been the bedrock of my career, especially in how I view mentorship and its role in career advancement.
With that foundation in mind, here are a few ways mentorship can help transform your career:
Accelerates growth – Having someone in your corner, cheering you on, or providing honest feedback can unlock doors to new opportunities that might otherwise remain closed. Mentors offer not only wisdom but also a network of connections, insights, and encouragement to take that next big leap.
Builds mutual trust and commitment – A strong mentor-mentee relationship thrives on mutual trust and shared goals. It’s essential to seek a mentor who aligns with your career aspirations, shares your values, and isn’t afraid to challenge you to grow. For those mentoring, remember your experience can have a lasting impact on someone else’s trajectory.
Creates life-changing moments – Early in my career, I served as a Lieutenant at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. During that time, I learned how a single moment—whether through a mentor’s guidance or a shared experience—can change the direction of your entire career. These extraordinary moments, where wisdom and growth intersect, have the power to transform lives.
Cultivates future leaders – Early in my career as a clinical extern program director, and now through my work with optometrists at various career stages, I’ve come to recognize the importance of identifying and cultivating talent. Mentorship is about more than just offering advice—it’s about cultivating leadership in others, helping them gain the knowledge and skills to lead confidently in their field. Whether in formal or informal
settings, the ability to help others navigate their career paths is one of the most rewarding aspects of mentorship.
Inspires a greater impact – Mentorship inspired me to leave private practice and take on a larger role at Bausch + Lomb. Though it was a difficult decision at that time, I quickly realized that joining Bausch + Lomb would offer the opportunity to work on a global level and help thousands of providers all around the world meet their patients' needs. Through mentorship, we create a ripple effect, improving entire fields by supporting and uplifting the next generation of leaders.
Whether you aspire to a career in optometry or something else entirely, never do anything halfway. Always challenge yourself to be better and seek new ways to grow. When you find that purpose – that moment of clarity – and use your abilities to make a real impact on others, that’s when you receive the ultimate gift: the ability to transform lives through mentorship.
Written by: Jill Saxon, OD, FAAO, and Executive Director, Professional Strategy at Bausch + Lomb
Comments