PROFILE SPOTLIGHT

Dr Shehzad Naroo
BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, MCOptom,
FIACLE, FAAO, FBCLA

Lecturer and Director of Postgraduate Development (Optometry),
Aston University (www.aston.ac.uk)
Vice-President, International Association of Contact Lens Educators (www.iacle.org)
Editor-in-Chief, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye Journal (www.ees.elsevier.com/clae/)

Why did you become an optometrist?
Well I suppose I have the traditional answer – it was a good combination of science subjects and caring for people, without the long studies of medicine. Truth is I have no idea, life just sometimes leads you down a path that is calling out to you, and often you don’t even hear it!

Describe your path to your current position?
After my pre-reg year I decided to do an MSc, and during that I realised that this was a great profession and a great industry to be involved in. I met my PhD supervisor and mentor who was one of a handful of people who influenced me greatly, and I owe him a lot. One of the main reasons for doing a PhD was to work with him and after that many opportunities presented them to me. I feel very lucky for all the things that I have been able to do and be involved in since then.

What aspects do you enjoy most about your current role?
The variety of tasks involved, travelling to many great places and mostly meeting new people all the time.

What aspects of your current role do you find most challenging?
Finding the time to juggle all the things I do as I have a very full and demanding role. I feel that I have had such great opportunities presented to me in my career I like to find ways to put something back.

What advice would you give to current students?
You have entered a great profession and you will get a lot out of it but remember you have a responsibility to act as a role model to those around you and those coming into the profession after you. Not everything you do will reward you financially but you get other rewards that are often more pleasing. Be true!

Would you change anything about your career?
There are times when I rush from place to place so occasionally I would like to slow down. I was taught that if you prepare for an event you will get more out of it and sometimes I don’t prepare enough so don’t get as much out as is available – but I still have fun!