MY PLAN A: ___________Optometrist_____________   
 
My Plan A:    I like having a set schedule, following a specific
Consider:  routine every day 
 What do you enjoy?   
 What sort of lifestyle  want a job with good work-life balance and being
do you want?   able to make a positive impact on other people’s
 What are you good lives 
at?   
 I’m good at time management, multi-tasking 
 
Career Info that I have PROS OF THE JOB:  
discovered…  Good work-life balance:  
Consider:   usually 9am-5pm schedule  
 Upsides/downsides of  rarely work nights or weekends 
job   can plan their days at the office rather than
 Job duties/ spending time at home preparing for the next work
responsibilities  day 
 Salary range   
 Future outlook  Safe work environment: 
 Lifestyle factors   encounter fewer safety hazards when compared
  to other careers in health care (do not use fluids or
substances) 
 
Having a positive impact on patients:  
 get to see the results of their work and improve
the health of their patients. correct a patient's
eyesight with glasses and/or contacts and monitor
their progress. can be a rewarding career for those
who want to have a positive impact on the health of
their community.  
 
Nonphysical work:  
 Can spend most of the time sitting down instead
of walking around during the shift 
 Less tired physically compared to other
healthcare jobs  
 
CONS OF THE JOB: 
Extended Schooling: 
 8 years of education needed after high-school.
Need to earn a Bachelor in a relevant field such as
Medical science/ Health Science/ Life Science/
Biology/ Chemistry,, etc. Need to take Optometry
Admission Test to attend a formal graduate
optometry program. Need to get the Doctorate of
Optometry Degree. 
 This lengthy education and licensing is

Three employability skills I
possess that will support my
plan:   Being able to create time in the schedule for
 
Consider:  specialists if needed
 Soft and hard Skills
required for position 
 Personal attributes  2. Being polite
 
expensive and may be a factor in your career choice
or timing. 
Repetitive daily routine:  
 Will likely have similar responsibilities every day.
These professionals often spend their time
performing routine eye tests and recommending
glasses or contact lenses. They assess whether
there are vision defects or diseases, maintain
medical files and record treatment plans. 
Individual work:  
 Optometrists often spend their days working
alone rather than with a team. They interact with
patients but rarely complete tasks with their
colleagues. 
SALARY RANGE:  
Average salary per year in Canada is $126,088. Hourly pay is
around $58-$73 
FUTURE OUTLOOK: 
The employment outlook will be very good for Optometrists in
Canada for the 2022-2024 period. employment of optometrists
will grow 9% from 2020 to 2030. 
LIFESTYLE FACTORS: 
Optometrists spend an average of 37 hours per week in the
office. On a 1–5-point scale (1—very dissatisfied; 5—very
satisfied), the mean score of the overall perception of job
satisfaction among optometrists was 3.96 (satisfied).
Optometrists love their jobs, in general, due to their ability to
make the lives of their patients better while maintaining a work-
life balance. most optometrists can choose a flexible work
schedule based on their needs while receiving minimal
emergency care requests. 
1. Time-management skills 
 Not being late for appointments 
recording patient’s diagnosis or sending fax to other
 
 
 
 
 Being able to communicate with patients in a
kind way 
3. Observational and analytical skills  
 Paying attention to details while examining and
 diagnosing patients 
 
 
Education needed to pursue my  Need a Bachelors in a science related field
plan:  (Medical Science/ Health Science/ Life Science/
  Biology/ Biochemistry/ Chemistry,,,etc)  
Consider:   
 Courses/training/  Take the OAT (Optometry Admission Test)
certificates needed  before applying to Optometry graduate schools.
 Post-secondary Higher the score= better chance of getting into a
requirements  good graduate school 
   
 Need a Doctor of Optometry Degree 
 
 Need to shadow other optometrists while
attending school 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MY BACKUP CAREER PLAN ______Pharmacist________       
 
My Plan B:    
Consider:   I like having a set schedule, following a
 What do you enjoy?  specific routine every day 
 What sort of lifestyle do you  
want?   want a job with good work-life balance and
 What are you good at?   being able to make a positive impact on other
people’s lives 
 
 I’m good at time management, multi-
tasking 
 
Career Info that I have discovered…  PROS OF THE JOB:  
  Clean workspace:  
Consider:   A pharmacist who works in a pharmacy or
 Upsides/downsides of job  laboratory provides a valuable health care
 Job duties/responsibilities  service in a clean workplace 
 Salary range   
 Future outlook  Flexible Schedule:  
 Lifestyle factors   Many other health care jobs require their
  employees to work shifts that can be 12 or
more hours long. These long hours can be
tiring, stressful and may affect family and
social life. As a pharmacist, you may have
more choice over the types of shifts you work
and their duration. 
 
 CONS OF THE JOB: 
Extended Schooling:  
 Bachelors in a related science field, then
need a Doctor of Pharmacy degree Also need
to take certification exams.  
 This lengthy education and licensing is
expensive and may be a factor in your career
choice or timing. 
 
Physical fatigue:  
 While a pharmacist's role doesn't require
heavy lifting or other strenuous manual labor,
you often spend most of your day on your feet.
You may not have many opportunities to take a
break or sit down. 
 
SALARY RANGE:  
Average salary per year in Canada is $119,359 
 
FUTURE OUTLOOK:  
The employment outlook will be moderate for Pharmacists
in Canada for the 2022-2024 period. 2.4% employment
growth for pharmacists between 2021 and 2031.  
 
LIFESTYLE FACTORS:  
On a 1–5-point scale (1—very dissatisfied; 5—very
satisfied), the mean score of the overall perception of job
satisfaction among pharmacists was 3.0 (satisfied).  
Most of them tend to enjoy, or at least not be actively
bothered by, their work environment. 
 
Three employability skills I possess 1. Time-management skills 
that will support my plan:   Not being late for the scheduled shift 
   Being able to create time in the schedule
Consider:  for sending fax to other specialists if needed 
 Soft and hard skills  
required for position   
 Personal attributes  2. Being polite 
   Being able to communicate with patients in
a kind way 
 
 
3. Observational and analytical skills  
 Paying attention to the prescription that the
patient has and giving them the right
medication that they need 
 
Education needed to pursue my plan:   
   Bachelor’s in a science related field
Consider:  (Medical Science/ Health Science/ Life
  Courses/training/certificates Science/ Biology/ Biochemistry/
needed  Chemistry,,,etc) 
 Post-secondary  Need a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree 
requirements   Shadow other pharmacists while attending
  school  
 Take the pharmacy certificate exam 
 
 
 
 
Post-Secondary Option  
Plan A - Schools/Training 
Name of School:  First Choice School  Second Choice School 
Name of Degree Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
or type of training University of Western  University 
you will receive     
Example:  University of Waterloo School of University of California, Berkeley School
Bachelor of Optometry and Vision Science   of Optometry  
Science  
Length of the 4 years  4 years  
program     
Example: 4 +4 years  +4 years  
years 
Price of Tuition Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
for the first year  University of Western: $7,798 to University: $7,423 per year 
$14,142 per year   
   
University of Waterloo School of University of California, Berkeley School
Optometry and Vision Science: of Optometry: $27,791 per year 
$18,000 per year 
Approx. Cost of Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
books/supplies University of Western: $1,500 to University: $2,330 
for the first year  $3,000   
  University of California, Berkeley School
University of Waterloo School of of Optometry: 
Optometry and Vision Science: $2,250  $1,718 
Cost to live in Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
Residence  University of Western: $14,975 to University: $9,529–$17,539 per year 
$17,675 per year    
  University of California, Berkeley School
University of Waterloo School of of Optometry: NI 
Optometry and Vision Science: NI   
 
Application Fee Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
to apply to University of Western: $156.00   University: $100 
program     
University of Waterloo School of University of California, Berkeley School
Optometry and Vision Science: $250  of Optometry: $66 
   
Application Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
deadline   University of Western: February 1st, University: February 1st, 2023 
Example: 2023    
February, 13th,    
2020  University of Waterloo School of University of California, Berkeley School
Optometry and Vision Science: of Optometry: June 29, 2023 
October 2, 2023   
 
Academic Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
Requirements for University of Western:   University:  
program (pre-  English 12 (required)   English 12 (required) 
requisites)   Biology 12 (required)   Biology 12 (required) 
 Chemistry 12 (required)   Chemistry 12 (required) 
 Pre calc 12 (required)   Pre calc 12 (required) 
 Calculus 12  Calculus 12
(recommended)   (recommended)  
 Physics 12  Physics 12
(recommended)  (recommended) 
   
University of Waterloo School of University of California, Berkeley School
Optometry and Vision Science:  of Optometry: 
 Completion of at least  General
three full years of university- Chemistry(Lecture and Lab),
level science with specific Organic Chemistry (Lecture
course requirements and Lab), Biochemistry
(English, Ethics, (Lecture only, lab preferred),
Psychology, Biology with General Biology (Lecture and
lab, Microbiology, Lab), General Physics
Physiology (human or (Lecture and Lab), Anatomy
mammalian), Chemistry (Lecture only, Lab strongly
with lab, Biochemistry, recommended), Microbiology
Organic Chemistry, (Lecture only, Lab optional),
Calculus, Statistics, Physics Human Physiology (Lecture
with lab  only, Lab strongly
  recommended), Calculus,
 Optometry Admissions Statistics, Reading and
Test (OAT)  Composition, Psychology 
   
 Minimum overall  Optometry Admissions
university average of 75%. Test (OAT) 
(In recent years, the actual  
averages of students that
have been accepted into the
program have ranged from
79% to 92%.)  
 
Other possible Dentist, Pharmacist, Working in a Dentist, Pharmacist, Working in a
occupations with Science lab, Certified ophthalmic Science lab, Certified ophthalmic
this type of assistant  assistant 
degree     
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Post-Secondary Option  
Plan B - Schools/Training 
Name of School:  First Choice School  Second Choice School 
Name of Degree Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
or type of training University of Western  University 
you will receive     
Example:  UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical  
Bachelor of Sciences  Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy,
Science   University of Toronto 
 
Length of the 4 years  4 years 
program     
Example: 4 +4 years  +4 years 
years   
Price of Tuition Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
for the first year  University of Western: $7,798 to University: $7,423 per year 
$14,142 per year 
 
 
   
UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy,
Sciences: $9,197.59   University of Toronto: $18,060.00 
Approx. Cost of Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
books/supplies University of Western: $1,500 to University: $2,330 
for the first year  $3,000   
   
  Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy,
UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical University of Toronto: NI 
Sciences: $700 minimum 
Cost to live in Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
Residence  University of Western: $14,975 to University: $9,529–$17,539 per year 
$17,675 per year   
  Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy,
UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical University of Toronto: NI 
Sciences: NI  
Application Fee Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
to apply to University of Western: $156.00   University: $100  
program     
   
UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy,
Sciences: $160.25  University of Toronto: $250 
Application Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
deadline   University of Western: February 1st, University: February 1st, 2023 
Example: 2023   
February, 13th,    
2020  UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy,
Sciences: January 15, 2023  University of Toronto: January 6, 2023 
 
Academic Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s
Requirements for University of Western:   University:  
program (pre-  English 12 (required)   English 12 (required) 
requisites)   Biology 12 (required)   Biology 12 (required) 
 Chemistry 12 (required)   Chemistry 12 (required) 
 Pre calc 12 (required)   Pre calc 12 (required) 
 Calculus 12  Calculus 12
(recommended)  (recommended)  
 Physics 12  Physics 12
(recommended)  (recommended) 
 
Other possible Optometrist, Dentist, Working in a Optometrist, Dentist, Working in a
occupations with Science lab  Science lab 
this type of    
degree