My name is Samantha Reyes and I am an 18-year-old student attending the New York City College of Technology (City Tech) in Brooklyn (Reyes, “City Tech entrance”).My major program of study is Vision Care Technology with a specialization in Ophthalmic Dispensing. I would like to become a certified optician under New York’s Health System to better help people everyday with something that many people suffer from; like poor vision and such. This is the best career for me, because I love helping people, science is something that I enjoy, and there are few certified vision care technologists in the New York City Department of Health. In this essay I will guide you through my plan and provide reasons to better prepare future opticians for this important work.

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“City Tech entrance” – The entrance to the N-building

This paragraph will discuss the essentials necessary to become a vision care technologist major and how to better pursue a job in this specific field. It is useful to know the following facts: “the ophthalmic dispenser measures, adapts, and fits eyeglasses to the face and when further certified as a contact lens fitter fits and adapts contact lenses to the eyes for the correction of visual and ocular anomalies” (City Tech 197) .By earning a degree in vision care, I will prepare myself to gain a job in ophthalmic assistance, ophthalmic dispensing, or ophthalmic representative (Reyes, “Opticianry”). According to “7 Ways to Upscale Your Optical”, a publication about ophthalmic trends, it shares the main advantage of having a job in this field. The article states, “the feelings a patient develops during the time she interacts with your staff and undergoes tests and treatment actually what she or he will or wont do” (Brighton 64). If I were able to have a career in this field, I would be helping people in a huge way and that is one of my main goals in life.

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“Opticianry”-Pearl building 3rd floor

Now that you know a little more about the background of a vision technology career, I would like to share my first reason for this career being the best for me. My reason is that I like helping people. Ever since I could remember, I have always wanted a job in which I focused on helping people. When I was 14 years old, I decided to help a family in need that lived in the poorest part of Brazil. She lived in the Favelas in Rio de Janeiro with her parents and five brothers and sisters. I met her on my trip and gave her some of the clothing that I had taken on the trip to wear that were brand new, because I knew that she needed it more than I did and that she was going to appreciate the clothing.That day I made a little girl happy and I was so happy about that as well. When I help people, I appreciate what I am doing even more because it is an important aspect of everyday life. By preparing glasses and contact lenses for patients I know that I would be making a difference in that persons life, because those lenses that I prepared for them, are going to help them see more clearly than before.

My second reason is my love for science I have always loved biology, which led to me studying other subjects such as anatomy and chemistry. Meanwhile, I was reading those subjects on my own, because I had developed a love for science, it was simple enough for me to determine that I desired a future career that focused on science. With this said, I know that my studies at City Tech will be the best for me, because I am a student that tries my best and is always ready to work hard.Sometimes i come in to school extra early so i can get some studying and homework done (Reyes, “Dark Hall’s”). In fact Dr. Russo tells me “We want someone that is academically prepared, be willing to work hard so that you may achieve your goals and to also be accountable for your own actions”(Russo). Also, Sarai Rodriguez, a student enrolled in the program, states that ” there is a lot of math involved and it can get pretty hard sometimes but if you like science and medicine and you know how to study then you should be fine” (Rodriguez). Based on what Dr.Russo and Ms. Rodriguez state, I was even more assured that no matter what I will always passionately perform my job everyday.

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“Dark hall’s”-City college at 6:45 am in the morning

My third reason for entering vision care field is that I feel that there is a lack of certified vision professionals in the medical field. The eyes are very important and delicate and because of the damage that they are undergoing due to many factors, more and more people are in the need of glasses and contact lenses. But then they are not enough specialists that are certified to treat the different problems that appear in eye care, like the Bureau of labor statistics on the employment percentage: ” The value is less than .005 percent of industry employment.”(BLS). Therefore stating that employment in this field has in fact gone down. Also “50 percent of workers earn less than the median”(BLS). So with this information we can conclude that because many specialists in this field may believe to be getting underpaid many simply would not continue practice in this field or encourage to enter this field of study. Furthermore” Respondents from the South seem to have decided to take the high road to optical success. Businesses have also been affected, There was an 11% jump in reports of adding higher-priced styles to their boards, from 15% to 26%, while only 3% of respondents, down from 14% in 2013, expected to expand their inventory to lower-priced product.”(eyecare business 62). Because the eye care business has been loosing much of its business many general companies have had to raise the prices of what they can sell in order to make up for the low employment numbers so that companies do not fail. Therefore the school has even supplied the students with data that can be easily found and read at any time, information that is consistent with the data I had reviewed before (Reyes, “Data”).

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“Data”-Display of in depth optician career information

People that carry a strong desire to have a career in this field should be aware of what needs to be done in preparation to obtain a successful future career as a vision care ophthalmic dispenser. Like dr. Russo shared “There are many organizations in school or in New York that focus on such topics: “State new York state organization of optician’s political organization that views the legislative actions that may affect opticians. Opticians association of New York not legislative only provides continuous education. National opticians association of America legislative body for all the opticians in the country National federation of opticianry schools which I am currently the president of. Promotes formal education in opticianry.” (Russo). Some other important recommendations that can be mentioned for those who are interested in this field to learn more is that like Dr.russo said: ” People want someone that is academically prepared. Also must be willing to work hard so that you may achieve your goals. And be accountable for your own actions.” (Russo). Meanwhile there are books or journals that are recommended such as “Eye care businesses, 20/20, eye care professionals, Vision Monday, Magazines talk about lenses research the newest product, which is not only for students but eye care professional themselves.”( Russo).

So carrying out a career in the field of vision care technology would be the best job for me simply because I feel like it is a necessary to help people out in a great way in which i can personally impact their lives, therefore I could be saving their sight or even changing their future and there is nothing better than that. Such career would be a great door as well as to becoming a professional ophthalmologist and maybe even influence future students as well.

Works Cited

Brighton, Judie. “7 Ways to Upscale Your Optical.” Optical Outlook 3rd. 15.6

(2004): 64-66. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.

“The Reality of Recovery.” Eyecare Business 6th. 28.8 (2014): 61-64. Academic

Complete. Web. 16 Nov. 2014.

Russo, Robert. Personal interview.17.Nov.2014.

Rodriguez, Sarai. Personal interview.15.Nov.2014.

New York College of Technology (City tech). College Catalog 2014-2015.2014.PDF.

17. Nov.2014

United States. Dept. Of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. ” Optical Dispensing” .

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dept of Labor. Sept 2012. Web 23.Nov.2014

Reyes,Samantha “City tech entrance ”. Flickr. 3 Dec 2014

Reyes,Samantha “Dark Halls”. Flickr. 3 Dec 2014

Reyes,Samantha “Opticianry ”. Flickr. 3 Dec 2014

Reyes,Samantha “Data”. Flickr. 3 Dec 2014

Introduction

My name is Samantha Reyes and I am in the vision care program. And my thoughts are everywhere, I have such little interests but at the same time so many. For an entire day I spent about a minute every half an hour to writing down my thoughts. The thoughts that I had at these moments, which were all random.  This project gave me the opportunity to reflect on life itself as well. Later on I realized that they are thoughts that focused on subjects and or things that were maybe random, but important to me now and probably in the future as well. The different topics that will appear in my essay are the holocaust, baking, animals, traveling and my commute to school. I argue that my thoughts are focused on important things in my life in the present that will help me carry out who I decide to become in the future.

Thinking in Writing

8:30- I am thinking about what I am going to have for breakfast. maybe yogurt and fruit.

9:00-I need a new phone case , my phone is going to brake if I don’t get one soon.
9:30- I’ve always wanted to be a cake designer maybe not professionally but I would like to learn how to.
10:00- I need to go to the library and get some more books on the 1940’s.
10:30- I wonder if it’s cold in Vienna and Budapest now ? And how cold?
11:00-should I order that history book I’ve been dying for or should I just wait till next week.
11:30- should I become an event organizer instead ? I would get to go to a lot of parties!
12:00- I know I got it I’m gonna become a historian at the holocaust museum in Washington D.C. But when would I move and how do I study that here? Would I need to transfer?
12:30- is there a museum that focuses on European history in New York City?
1:00- I have a lab report to do .
1:30- what if I become a vet or a zoologist that would be so much fun but I would probably get depressed.
2:00- I’m so tired I wanna go home and make myself a cup of tea.
2:30- I wonder what Sally is doing ? Maybe she’s sleeping or hunting underneath the pile of pillows on the futon.
3:00- i hope the train isn’t packed On my way home tonight
3:30- why can’t people love animals the way I do ?
4:00- I should stop at the library and get some more history books but I’m so tired.
4:30- should I take an anatomy class for fun?
5:00- I can’t believe it takes me two hours to get home of course I’m the one that goes to a school in Brooklyn being from a completely different borough.
5:30- how much hw do I have tonight ? Oh god I have to write it all down as soon as possible so I don’t forget anything.
6:00- Should I take a nap or just do all my homework now ? Okay fine hw I guess.
6:30- I hate math oh god . Why does it have to be so difficult ?
7:00- let me take a break and read one of my books then finish reviewing for biology.
7:30- so like are we even in fall yet ? Or is global warming that bad already ? Humans are such a mess to this planet.
8:00- brain rules is actually pretty interesting. My mom would like it , I should tell her to read it.
8:30- so should I take that anatomy class and biology 2 classes next semester just for the fun of it?
9:00-( reading) so the years of the third reich were actually not just 1938-1945?
9:30- (still reading ) if hitler had no control over Russia how did the camps have Serbian prisoners? 10:00- (still reading ) have no remains been found when it comes Hitler?
10:30- (still reading )why were political prisoners never mentioned that much in books?
11:00-(still reading ) this relates so much to what I saw on my trip.
11:30 I can’t wait to go back to Eastern Europe all over again .
12:00- I said I would learn German, now when is that gonna happen?
12:30- maybe I should go to sleep.

Thinking Visually

https://www.flickr.com/photos/29757143@N05/14910582604/

Map-this map simply is a visual picture of all the places that I was able to visit this summer on my trip to eastern Europe.

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Cake- I had a gathering, where I spent some time with some friends and family and was able to acquire new tips on cake when it comes to its taste as well as its décor.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/29757143@N05/15532158962/in/photostream/

Travels- Focuses on photo books that were made online by my mother and I, so that we could have an easier way to view pictures and remember such fun times.

Thinking Rhetorically and Reflectively

HOLOCAUST

The Holocaust, I love history with a passion but I am obsessed with European history to be more specific, World War II and the Holocaust. One of my dreams has always been to get a job at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. this picture is a map of the places that I visited on my trip to Eastern Europe when I traveled during the summer in July (Reyes, “Map”). On this trip I was able to visit the many sites that grand events that were part of the holocaust and events leading up to the holocaust took place.

During my day of thoughts I mentioned that I needed “ to go to the library and get some more books on the 1940’s”(Sreyes2 par.4). I wanted to go to the library to pick up some more books and that was because I am always on the lookout for new books on anything on history that would teach me something new or simply teach me more .I was also able to communicate through my thoughts on how exactly realistically my life would change if I were to work in the museum by saying “I know I got it I’m going to become a historian at the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. But when would I move and how do I study that here? Would I need to transfer?”(Sreyes2 par.8) . Since I have always dreamed of working in that museum. But out of all of it I could become a historian sharing what I know, and at the same time I would be able to continue learning and always be able to figure out new information to improve my knowledge. Or an artifact preserver or tour guide at the actual site of Auschwitz – Birkenau concentration camp in Krakow, Poland that would be a dream come true.

EVENTS

I absolutely love baking, and ever since I first started baking I have always wanted to become a cake designer or event organizer for weddings or big events like weddings and baby showers. The other day I was able to enjoy a fantastic cake with really good friends and at the same time I was able to admire the design that was made with purple icing plus also see another way in which I could decorate my future cakes because practicing would only improve my skills (Reyes, “Cake”). The idea of becoming a cake designer had always lingered in the back of my mind, maybe not professionally but I would like to learn how to do it all both the designing and baking of the cakes. I also expressed in my day of thoughts that I “should I become an event organizer instead? I would get to go to a lot of parties”(Sreyes2 par.7). Because I remember first seeing 24 dresses I and realizing how much fun it is to be an event planner because you get to be there for people and help them and guide them through really huge moments in their lives, and I love helping people as well as parties because I love dancing as well. So that career would be a great idea.

ANIMAL

I am a huge animal lover, animals are so important to me I cant imagine a day that goes by in which I don’t think about the hardships that animals are undergoing every single day because of our terrible human species, on how we are destroying their habitats and hurting them for meaningless reasons, for example like for their skin. In my day of thought I shared that “what if I became a vet or a zoologist that would be so much fun but I would probably get depressed.”(Sreyes2 par.11). I have also always wanted to become a zoologist, but I first wanted to focus on marine biology so that I could be able to help clean up the oceans that are being so badly polluted, that because of this the majority of the sea life is dying if not already dead. I have a cat named sally and she is pretty much my everything and with her I have been able to have lots of hands on experience with an actual animal and have done lots of research so that I could give her the proper care needed so that she can be as healthy as possible at all times. I wonder what Sally is doing ? Maybe she’s sleeping or hunting underneath the pile of pillows on the futon.”(Sreyes2 par.13).

TRAVELING

I love traveling, seeing new places, tasting new dishes, hearing different types of music and because of this traveling has always been one of my passions. I have visited many places, but one place that I have always wanted to visit was Eastern Europe because of my strong interest in the Holocaust and World War II and I actually did. a few years back my mom asked me what I wanted as my graduation gift from high school and jokingly I said that I would love to visit Auschwitz but I did not think that she was actually being serious about it. But she did, I visited Poland and I am so glad that she did because I couldn’t have asked for anything else, because till this day it is a complete shock and I am in disbelief that I was standing on such ground. I wrote also in my day of thoughts on how “I can’t wait to go back to Eastern Europe all over again”(Sreyes2 par.30). I simply shared a photo with three books that were created by my mom and I that contain pictures saved from some trips that my family has taken over the years to always have some pictures to look back at (Reyes, “Travels”).

My thoughts may have seemed random but all of these topics are important because they make me who I am. I consider myself to have a vigorous love for history and therefore that is why I think so much about the Eastern Europe and the Holocaust and because it captures my curiosity so much, I am always reading about this subject. And when it comes to baking and event planning its just a bit of an interest that because of my experience in design I have always seen as a chance to understand that no matter what I have many chances to express my artistic love of design through decorating. I love animals, I have always loved animals so much that I have always wanted to study marine biology and zoology so that I could at least have a complete understanding on how I could help them and teach other people on how to care for specific animals. Traveling has also been a love of mine , and more than anything due to the amount of history along with its culture and the everyday life of its people that I have already been able to learn from and the future ones to come.

I would like my future thoughts to focus on what exactly I want to do as a career and on what I want to focus on in my studies so that I can grow both as a professional as well as a person. my past thoughts have been a great way to get started on deciding because I have put in time to think about and what exactly I find to be most important to me and my growing interests.

Work’s Cited

Sreyes2 (Samantha Reyes ). “Project 1: Thinking in Writing” Openlab. ENG1101 D377 English Composition 1, FA2014, 19 Sept 2014. Web. 9 Oct 2014.

Reyes, Samantha. “Cake”.Flickr. 20 Sept 2014. Web. 9 Oct 2014.

Reyes, Samantha. “Map”.Flickr. 20 Sept 2014. Web. 9 Oct 2014.

Reyes, Samantha. “Travel’s”.Flickr. 20 Sept 2014. Web. 9 Oct 2014.