Detail

The Joint Polytechnic Career Sharing Day 2026, held on 11 February 2026, brought together 210 optometry students from Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), along with 15 industry partners, for an informative and engaging afternoon focused on career readiness and professional development. The event was to support both graduating and junior students in understanding provisional registration requirements, exploring diverse career pathways, and learning about opportunities for further studies locally and overseas.

The programme featured a sharing by the Supervised Practice Division of the Optometrists and Opticians Board on provisional registration procedures, followed by a segment on entering the working world. This included a motivational talk and a panel discussion with practitioners from private clinics, hospitals, and the lens industry, who shared practical insights and personal career journeys. Students benefited from a dedicated career networking session, where they had the opportunity to interact directly with industry representatives and learn more about current and emerging opportunities in the field.

The latter part of the event focused on further studies, highlighting local post-diploma options as well as degree pathways in Australia and the UK through alumni sharing. This segment resonated strongly with students, including Jayden Poh, a final-year Diploma in Optometry (DOPT) student from SP, who shared, “Career Sharing Day was very useful because it clarified the key steps needed to become an optometrist, including the pre-registration logbook and the different training pathways through diploma and degree routes in the UK and Australia. I also had the chance to network with key professionals in the optometry industry. Hearing their personal journeys and how they built their careers gave me valuable insight into the many ways success can be achieved in this field. Overall, it was a meaningful experience. I now have a clearer understanding of what it takes to be an optometrist and what I should focus on to grow into a competent and compassionate practitioner.

The day concluded with a presentation by the Singapore Optometric Association and a closing address by the course chairs. Overall, the event provided students with valuable insights, practical guidance, and meaningful connections to support their future careers in optometry.

Entering the Working World — panel discussion on post graduation career pathways