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Summer Career Exploration Programs for Minority Students
Posted: April 28, 2008The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Optometry is proud to present two programs to improve the diversity of eye care professionals. Approximately 28% of the population in the United States is minority, but only about 17% of optometrists are minority. Optometrists must reflect the ethnic distribution of patients in order to communicate effectively, understand cultural differences, and provide optimal eye care for a diverse population.
In order to improve the diversity of students training to become optometrists, the OSU College of Optometry has created two programs to interest young individuals contemplating their future careers.
The first program, Improving Diversity in Optometry Camp (IDOC), is geared toward high school juniors and seniors from Columbus with strong math and science aptitudes, who are interested in an optometric career. The weeklong program will help students explore optometric careers through hands-on experiences and classroom learning.
The Improving Diversity of Optometric Learners (IDOL) program offers a three-day program for college students who are considering a career in the health sciences. Students learn about eyes and vision, observe optometry doctors and students, learn about career options in optometry, find out about satisfaction and income-earning potential of an optometric career, and examine the needs of minority optometrists.
To learn more about these two programs, click on IDOC (high school students) or IDOL (college students).
