Dr. Ryan Corte, Dr. Nadia Afkhami, Dr. Jasdeep Soni, Dr. Doug Akidi, and the newly minted Dr. Svetlana Nunez discuss the challenges and experiences of transitioning from students to practicing doctors. They share insights on navigating the unknowns of early career stages, understanding contracts and compensation, managing financial stress from student loans, and the importance of community support. The discussion also touches on the journey to owning a practice and the role of podcasts in sharing knowledge and experiences within the optometry field.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

03:14 Transitioning from Student to Doctor

06:03 Navigating the Unknown as a New Graduate

09:02 Understanding Contracts and Compensation Structures

12:04 Financial Stress and Student Loans

23:14 Balancing Life as a New Grad

27:31 Managing Student Loans and Financial Planning

30:30 The Importance of Financial Awareness in Early Career

32:53 Navigating Private Practice Ownership

39:18 Balancing Career and Family Life

44:57 Defining Moments in Professional Growth

48:45 The Purpose of Podcasting in Optometry

53:36 New Chapter

Takeaways

• The transition from student to doctor can be both exciting and daunting.
• New graduates often feel unprepared for real-world challenges in optometry.
• Building a supportive community is crucial for new ODs.
• Understanding contracts and compensation structures is essential for career success.
• Financial stress from student loans is a common concern among new graduates.
• Balancing personal life and career is a significant challenge for many professionals.
• Owning a practice requires careful planning and understanding of the business.
• Podcasts can serve as valuable resources for sharing knowledge and experiences in optometry.
• Embracing discomfort is part of the growth process in any career.

• Knowing your worth and advocating for yourself is vital in negotiations.