UNSW Optometry students inspire future health professionals at Rural Health Pathways Showcase

UNSW Optometry and Vision Science students played a key role with colleagues from Optometry NSW/ACT in the Rural Health Pathways Showcase held at the ICC, Darling Harbour, engaging with over 800 high school students from Years 9 to 12 who are considering careers in allied health, medicine, nursing, midwifery, and Aboriginal health.

Student ambassadors Halle Tree (3rd year), Jennifer Lo and Patrick Huong (4th year), represented UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science, alongside Optometrists Association NSW/ACT staff members Paula Katalinic, Andrew McKinnon, Rebecca Tobias, and Nicole Smart and Faraz Ahmed from Paragon Care at the event. They shared their personal experiences and insights into studying optometry, while also learning from practicing optometrists and other health professionals in attendance. 

“The students were great, and it was such a pleasure to get to know them. All were excellent communicators and great collaborators. I’m excited to see where their career journey takes them,” said Paula Katalinic, Professional Services and Advocacy Manager, Optometry NSW/ACT.

The event featured a bustling exhibition hall with university and industry stands, including a UNSW booth from the Rural Medical School and a dedicated Optometrists Association NSW/ACT stand. The day session saw approximately 550 registered attendees, with 250 attending the afternoon session.

The Optometry Association’s interactive workshop attracted 135 participants, offering hands-on experiences such as retinal photography, autorefraction, colour vision testing, and stereopsis assessment. Many more students and professionals visited the stand and chat corner to learn about pathways into optometry and vision science.

Attendees included students from across NSW, with a strong interest in health careers. Career advisors, paramedics, GPs, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals also engaged with the UNSW/Optometry NSW/ACT team.

The Optometrists Association NSW/ACT expressed strong interest in participating again, noting the success of the day session in promoting diverse entry pathways into optometry, particularly for rural and Indigenous students.

For more information about the Rural Health Pathways Showcase, visit: ruraldoctors.org/site/careers-showcase