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Sometimes finding one’s calling takes a few tries, or even a U-turn. That was the case for Jenny Faries, a former Fine Arts graduate now studying in Dalhousie’s Clinical Vision Science program.

“I thought I was going to be an advertising executive—but it turns out I’m more interested in helping people than in selling them stuff,” Jenny says with a smile.   Jenny takes classes in anatomy and optics at the IWK Health Centre Eye Clinic and, as part of her program, she also works directly with both adults and children, providing eye exams.

“I love it!  I’ve only been in the clinic for four months but it’s amazing how quickly it’s coming together. And I like working with kids—which I wasn’t sure I would when I started,” laughs Jenny.

Originally from Bermuda, Jenny went to college in the US, where she earned a Bachelor in Fine Art in Computer Design.  She expected to enjoy a long career in graphic design.  Instead, an eye-opening internship with a group of advertising firms helped her decide to leave her advertising career behind entirely.  She worked for several years in a coffee shop—and found she enjoyed the daily face-to-face conversations and making everyone’s day a little bit better.

Advice from a friend led Jenny to Dalhousie’s Clinical Vision Science program, one of only a handful of university programs in the world training orthoptists—specialists who help diagnose and treat eye alignment disorders.  Dalhousie’s program is recognized internationally and graduates are in demand in many countries around the world,at teaching hospitals, in government health facilities and in private clinics.

“I wanted to go back to school and have it lead to a particular profession—and this program is the best in North America.  The professors are really, really good, and patient,” says Jenny, adding that she feels at home in the program.  “It’s a small class and we all get along really well.”

Dalhousie’s Clinical Vision Science program accepts only six students a year, typically from backgrounds in biology, psychology or neuroscience.  However students from arts backgrounds, like Jenny’s, may also qualify if they obtain the necessary prerequisites.  Being patient and able to interact with people of all ages and abilities are important traits for an orthoptist.

It’s clear Jenny has found her niche as she manages her first patient of the day at the IWK Eye Clinic,  a pre-school girl who sits – and sometimes squirms – in her mother’s lap for a half-hour of questions and tests.  Efficiently and playfully, Jenny moves through test after test, including one in which she wears a sticker featuring Sesame Street’s Big Bird on the end of her nose.

“It’s rewarding when I feel my interaction with a child helped them and was fun for them.  I feel good when they leave smiling and I have the information I need.”

As she reflects on the twists and turns in her career-- from graphic arts to barista to vision science-- it’s clear Jenny’s found her focus at Dalhousie.  “It feels good to know I have the tools to get where I’m going.”

Jenny is looking forward to graduating next June,and beginning her orthoptic career either in a clinic or in research.  She’s already been scoping out the opportunities and says prospects are bright for Dalhousie Vision Science graduates who, like Jenny, are willing and able to work anywhere in the world.