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Optometry
Josephine Ibironke, OD ‘03, Resident ‘04, MPH, FAAO, dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University, wants all Doctor of Optometry students to exhibit what she calls “PCO DNA” right from the beginning of their optometry school experience.
And, what better place to do that than the PCO Career Day at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park Campus? The event, held Oct. 23, 2026, attracted 42 partners (employers and exhibitors) and 268 students.
The purpose of the career day, Dr. Ibironke said, is to give all PCO students the opportunity to learn how to interact with prospective employers as part of their educational experience.
“Excellence and engagement are part of our PCO DNA,” said Dr. Ibironke. “The career fair gives our students an opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in eye care and begin building professional relationships before they graduate. And, it has been really nice seeing some of our PCO alumni come to the Career Day as employers.”
The PCO DNA being on full display was not lost on the partners.
“The level of professionalism that I’m noticing in the students is amazing,” said Pamela Bell, senior optometrist recruiter for MyEyeDr., a national network of vision care and optometry practices that combines local eye doctors with retail eyewear. “The questions they’re asking, how engaged they are in the process, and their willingness to come forward and ask questions, that’s all pretty impressive.”
According to Ryan Hollister, director of the Bennett Career Services Center on Drexel University’s Elkins Park Campus, the event was structured to mirror a professional development conference.
In addition to connecting with employers in the exhibit hall, students participated in educational sessions tailored to their stage of training. Topics included career pathways in optometry, professional opportunities, business considerations for new practitioners, and understanding employment contracts. The programming was designed to help students develop the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate their future careers, Hollister said.
“The students are receiving educational and professional development sessions with an exhibit hall and career fair,” said Hollister, who added that some of the exhibitors at the fair also serve as clinical externship sites for PCO students. “It’s so important they learn good networking and communications skills, in addition to all of the things that are going to be of value to them when they go out and practice.”
None of this was lost on the students either. They recognized the opportunities presented by the career day, no matter what year they were in their professional school experience.
“I personally am looking for an OD/MD practice and I have found a couple of places that offer that,” said Brandon Drexler ‘29OD, of Rochester, New York. “I think working with different partners who offer that sort of modalism for me is important - this has been a great opportunity to network.”
Samantha Hadeed ‘29OD said she didn’t realize there would be so many employers at the career day and called the event a great opportunity to meet partners from all over the U.S.
“I think an event like this is extremely valuable when we’re in school because we’re so focused on coursework and constantly thinking about our next assignment or practical,” said Hadeed, who hails from from Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. “But with events like this one, we get to see what comes after all the schoolwork and how to prepare for it. It gives us a chance to think about the steps we’ll need to take when we’re in our fourth year.”
Maria Jerez ‘29OD, of Lower Bucks County, Pennsylvania, said the event helped inspire her to keep pushing through the challenges of optometry school. “In our busy schedule, PCO has allowed us time to see what is out there with this event,” said Jerez. “I think it’s great to have the employers come to us.”
