CSTEP provides you with the opportunity to explore the rewarding profession of Optometry by participating in the Winter or Spring Internship Program, and by attending conferences and workshops during the academic year.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
The 2011 Winter or Spring Internship will expose you to the multifaceted field of Optometry as practiced in one of the top-ranked Colleges of Optometry and, which has the largest clinical program in the country. This year’s two-week Internships will run: Winter - Jan. 3rd to Jan. 14th, and Spring - May 23rd to June 3rd (tentative). The Internship will engage you in the following activities:

CLINIC OBSERVATIONS:
You will be assigned to fourth year students and faculty who will guide you through their own actual clinical rotations. You will have the privilege of observing various clinical examinations and procedures and be able to experience the different specialties firsthand. Among the clinics to be visited, are: Vision Therapy, Ocular Disease, Primary Care, Contact
Lens, and Pediatrics.

OPTOMETRIC ORIENTATION:
Focusing on the entire professional education, you will review the day-to-day academic
schedule with students of Optometry. In addition to examining the course of study and
program requirements, you will take part in demonstrations of state-of-the-art optometric
equipment and procedures. One of the highlights of this component is that you will be
given a comprehensive eye examination, while gaining an understanding of the human visual system.

SITE VISITS:
To acquaint you with the career of Optometry, as practiced outside the academic setting, you will visit: a hospital, a private and/or group practice, a Health Maintenance Organization
(HMO), and a neighborhood health center. Each site will provide you with a different outlook on the profession as well as give you the chance to meet more Doctors of Optometry personally.

GROUP SESSIONS:
You will be provided two types of group sessions on a weekly basis:

1. Optometry School Information
• The Admissions Process
• Financial Aid
• Support Services
2. Learning Skills Seminars
• Time Management
• Test Anxiety
• Note Taking
• Study & Research Skills
• Personal Statement Writing
• The Optometry Admission Test (OAT)

RESEARCH PROJECT:
You will have the opportunity to investigate new developments within the profession and to improve your research, writing, and oral presentation skills by preparing a research project on a specific aspect of Optometry. Program faculty, staff and students will suggest topics and assist you in developing your report.

THE ACADEMIC YEAR PROGRAM
During the academic year you will be invited to conferences, such as the annual New York State CSTEP Student Conference, the College's Open House and various workshops. The College's library and computer center are also available for your use.