INSIGHTS New Kid in Town By Jamie Wilson Monday, July 20, 2015 12:00 AM A few days before Vision Expo East 2015 began, I started my job as assistant editor for Vision Monday. The biggest optical event on the East Coast and I was thrown right into the thick of things. Prior to this, my optical knowledge consisted of going to the optometrist for my yearly examination and getting fitted for new glasses and contact lenses. Expo was my crash course in everything eye related. From technology and style to education and industry parties it was all very overwhelming to take in, but I survived. Four months later, I’m proud to say that I am getting the hang of all of this. Even though the optical industry hasn’t been second nature to me, there were two things that I could relate to immediately—social media and VM’s Millennial Project. Why? Because I am in fact a Millennial and as such I’ve grown up with the internet. Every time I read a new installation I think yes, that is definitely me. I’ve always understood how social media platforms work in my life and have paid attention to how brands and companies market themselves to me as the consumer through their accounts, but now it’s great to be on the other side of the computer screen. I’ve witnessed the power that social media has in connecting the optical community. From sharing information with industry members across the globe to coming together via Facebook and Twitter and raising awareness about events such as National Sunglasses Day. It’s been amazing. Nevertheless, the more I learn, the more I realize how much of a role optical has actually played in my life. I’ve gone from not knowing much to recognizing brands and companies in my day-to-day life that have been making products that I’ve used for years. Being immersed in the optical world has made me realize how much I need to step up my eyewear game. n jwilson@jobson.com