By Cindy Shan, OD, FAAO
Since you’re reading this article, I can only assume you are interested in speaking at conferences or continuing education events. Although presenting at events can seem like an exciting endeavor, it may also feel intimidating. And you may wonder how to get started. It is easy to assume that only researchers or practitioners with decades of experience are invited to the podium. But in reality, some ODs start speaking at events within just a few years of entering practice.
Successful speakers may not necessarily be the most experienced clinicians in the room. Rather, they are individuals who have developed expertise in a particular area, learned how to communicate effectively, and consistently deliver value to their audience. Whether your goal is to teach at hands-on workshops, present at local conferences, or eventually become a nationally recognized speaker, the path is more accessible than many young optometrists realize.
Start by Building Expertise, Not Just a Resume
One of the biggest mistakes new graduates make is trying to become a speaker before becoming a student of a topic. The best presentations are built on genuine interest and clinical experience.
Choose an area of optometry that excites you. This might be dry eye disease, myopia management, glaucoma, specialty contact lenses, retinal disease, ocular surface disease, pediatrics, or practice management. You do not need to know everything, but make sure to get some experience with your own clinical cases and stay curious. Read journal articles, attend continuing education events, listen to podcasts, follow leaders in the field. As you learn, organize your notes and save important studies. This part of the process can take some time, but it is a crucial part of the process.
Use Clinical Cases as Your Foundation
Do not underestimate the educational value of your own patient encounters. While seasoned speakers often have years of data and hundreds of cases to draw from, early-career practitioners can still create highly engaging presentations by focusing on interesting or instructive clinical experiences. The key is to keep track of these cases and have them on hand to create future presentations. It will be hard to recall them after the fact.
Document carefully. Save imaging, photographs, topographies, visual fields, or OCT scans. Record your thought process, differential diagnoses, management decisions, and outcomes. Your audience may remember or relate to a compelling patient story far longer than they remember statistics from a clinical trial. Cases allow attendees to see how evidence translates into real-world decision-making. They create context and help transform abstract concepts into practical lessons.
Finding Your First Speaking Opportunities
No stage is too small. Most successful lecturers built their skills through smaller opportunities long before they appeared on larger stages.
Local dinners, state association meetings, corporate education events, lunch-and-learns, student organizations, and neighborhood events can all provide valuable opportunities to present.
Attend conferences and have casual chats with former professors, mentors, practice owners, and industry representatives. You never know where an opportunity can sprout from. Let them know you are interested in speaking and developing educational content. Keep an open mind and just say yes! Many organizations are actively looking for enthusiastic clinicians who can provide practical, relevant education.
Do not be discouraged if your first audiences are small. Every presentation helps you develop confidence, improve your content, and build credibility. A well-delivered lecture to twenty attendees can often lead to additional invitations and larger opportunities.
Set the Stage for Your Turn at the Podium
Becoming a lecturer is less about achieving a particular career milestone and more about developing a habit of learning, teaching, and sharing knowledge. New grad optometrists may be more updated on the latest evidence, emerging technologies, and current educational trends.
Start small. Build expertise in an area that genuinely interests you. Document your cases. Seek opportunities to teach. Stay active in the optometry community. Focus on creating practical value for your audience. Over time, speaking opportunities will naturally follow.
Dr. Cindy Shan pursued her education at the University of British Columbia and the University of Waterloo. She completed her cornea and contact lens residency at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. A distinguished Valedictorian of her optometry class, Dr. Shan is a proud Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She has contributed to various organizations, including the Canadian Association of Optometrists, the American Optometric Association, and the British Columbia Association of Optometrists. Dr. Shan’s commitment to education extends to lecturing at the Contact Lens Society of America and the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians Vision Summit.
