We make a lot of stupid decisions in life, one of the most common that optometrists make is their decision to let go of their AOA membership. For many, they think that the AOA does not bring them value. But nothing can be further from the truth.
Often times what happens, is that students that transition into doctorhood, just don’t realize that they need to sign up to be a full member of the AOA and then before they know it, they are not members anymore. Your membership in the AOA is absolutely free for the first year after you graduate. Then the dues cost increase incrementally per year until you’re a full member. So there is no reason at all to not become or stay a member of the AOA when you graduate.
What discourages graduates to sign up for a full membership?
When we’re in school we understand what the AOA does to advance the profession of optometry but for some, when they graduate and get into practice, they say they can’t afford it. For these, what isn’t seen is that the AOA is the exact reason they are in optometry today. It’s reason why this profession has advanced, not only legislatively, but also the advancement of the field of optometry.
Advantages of staying in AOA
Being part of the AOA at a national level, state level, and local level all bring advantages (by the way, it’s a package deal) Being involved is a great way to get your name out there and to start getting to know other practitioners. Even if you have a job, it’s a great way to network and get to know other people because who knows what’s going to happen in the future.
How to become a full member of the AOA?
After you graduate you need to become a full member of AOA. As a student member of the AOA you are affiliated with a state. You need to pick a state that you’re affiliated with. Then fill out the form or get a hold of the state office in the state you’re going to be practicing in. Fill out the paper work and just get the things transitioned over. Then you can go to society meetings and state meeting and AOA itself as a member.
So the value is there, we say frequently that this is a marathon not a sprint. And from OI’s point of view, there is no reason why you should not be a member of the AOA on the entire career of optometry. You need to be making the right the decisions along the way and of the first one that you can do when you graduate is to become a full fledge member of the AOA and stay in the association.
