See your future clearly with a career in opticianry
May 20, 2025
Experiencing clear vision for the first time is a moment that can change everything. Think of the moment a child puts on their first pair of glasses and can finally read the board at school, or a teenager who finds the perfect frames to boost their confidence. Now, imagine being the person who makes those moments possible. As an optician, you do more than fit eyewear; you bring clarity, confidence, and connection to people’s everyday lives.
If you’re looking for a career that blends healthcare, fashion, technology, and business, Georgian’s Opticianry diploma prepares you for exactly that. In just two years, you’ll gain the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience needed to become a licensed optician, ready to work almost anywhere across Canada.
A career with vision: Why opticianry?
If you love working with people and want a career that’s always evolving, opticianry could be the perfect fit. Many people assume opticians strictly perform eye exams, but their day-to-day role involves much more. Licensed opticians provide personalized advice to clients, work with advanced optical technology to cut lenses and contacts and even anticipate fashion trends in eyewear to offer their clients the latest looks. It’s a clean, dynamic profession that combines science, customer care and creativity.
We spoke with Maggie Kostich-Farley, program coordinator and proud graduate of the Opticianry program, to find out what makes this career so exciting. She shared her journey and explained why Georgian is the perfect place to start your path in opticianry.
For Maggie, opticianry started as a job but quickly became a passion. After working as a receptionist in an optometry clinic, she was drawn to the field’s unique blend of fashion, healthcare and problem-solving. She soon realized that helping people see clearly and feel confident in their eyewear was one of the most rewarding aspects of the profession. As she explains, “The ability to improve someone’s quality of life by helping them see better is an incredible feeling. Whether it’s fitting a child for their first pair of glasses or finding the perfect lenses for an older adult, you’re making a difference every day.”
Why Georgian?
Learning in the “Opti-Wing”
Students in the Opticianry program attend all their classes in the newly renovated space lovingly referred to as ‘The Opti-Wing’, a dedicated wing inside the Sadlon Centre for Health, Wellness and Science that mirrors real-world optical labs. Here, as an opticianry student, you use the latest industry equipment to build your knowledge and sharpen your skills, gaining experience that prepares you for your co-op placements and future career. With a strong alumni network, dedicated faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, Georgian sets students up for success from day one.
Faculty who’ve been in your shoes
One of the most unique aspects of Georgian’s Opticianry program is its faculty of alumni. Every professor graduated from the program themselves. They know firsthand what it takes to succeed and bring real-world experience into the classroom. Many graduates, like Maggie, discovered that mentoring new professionals is a rewarding part of the job she hadn’t anticipated. That passion for helping others learn led her back to Georgian – not as a student, but as an instructor. She reflects on the transition, saying, “Many opticians, myself included, realize how much they love mentoring and sharing their knowledge with the next generation. Teaching wasn’t something I originally planned, but seeing students grow and succeed is one of the most fulfilling parts of my career.”
Exciting career opportunities
Your time in the Opti-Wing and out in the field during co-ops not only prepares you for success in the classroom, it sets you up for all the opportunities waiting after graduation. Maggie says the demand for licensed opticians is growing, and there aren’t enough up-and-comers to fill the need. Licensed professionals have plenty of career options, from working in optical retail stores to joining medical clinics alongside ophthalmologists. Some even start their own businesses, offering personalized service to their clientele.
“There are so many directions you can take this career. It stays fresh and exciting, with new techniques and advancements all the time.”
Maggie Kostich-Farley, Program co-ordinator
As more people rely on eyewear and vision correction solutions, graduates are stepping into an industry full of opportunities. Many students have even received job offers before they graduate. No matter which path you choose, Georgian’s hands-on training and industry connections helps grads transition seamlessly into the workforce.
Maggie sees this variety as one of the profession’s biggest strengths. “There are so many directions you can take this career,” she says. “It stays fresh and exciting, with new techniques and advancements all the time.”
It’s also a clean, professional and well-balanced career. Opticians work in comfortable, structured environments with steady hours. If you’re looking for a career that offers stability, variety and the chance to help people every day, opticianry might be the right fit for you.
What’s next?
If opticianry sounds like the career for you, Georgian College can help you get there. With expert faculty, hands-on training and industry connections, you’ll graduate ready to launch your career.
Have questions? Contact us: recruitment@georgiancollege.ca | 705.722.5152
Your career is in sight – start your journey today!