Wai Choong Lok reflects on how Specsavers’ professional development programs prepared him to become a partner in a brand-new practice.

Wai joined Specsavers as a graduate optometrist and progressed through to the Pathway Program. In June 2017, Wai celebrated the opening of the Specsavers Carnes Hill store in New South Wales where he assumed the role of Optometry Partner.

Why did you choose to join Specsavers as a graduate?
During the time I was in university, Specsavers entered the Australian market. Suddenly, they were on TV, and stores started popping up everywhere. I was curious to know what this green empire was all about. I chose Specsavers because they had a mentorship program and because they seemed most interested in my development.

Wai Choong Lok

How was your experience with the Specsavers Graduate Program?
The Graduate Program gave me the freedom to develop and hone my skills at my own pace. I was given ample time to test initially, and I wasn’t pressured to cut down on my testing time. I improved with time management as I progressed through the guidance of my mentor. It was great to learn from a mentor that has been practising for years and to learn all the clinical pearls.

What interested you in partnership?
I’ve always been interested in one day owning my own business, so partnership was always on my mind. I am very ambitious and I want to know everything about the business, so naturally the next progression for me was partnership.

How was your experience with Pathway?
Pathway opened me up on how to be a business leader, developed my entrepreneurial spirit, and moved me from being an employee to a leader. It taught me financial benchmarks and business planning, leadership and how to develop a team.

For more information on the Specsavers Graduate Program, email anz.professionaldevelopment@specsavers.com

For more information on the Pathway Program, visit pathwayanz.com