From Vet Tech Student to Externship: How to Show Up Like a Professional on Day One
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Reviewed by Meghan Wells, DVM, MPH and Penn Foster Veterinary Academy Instructor.
Your externship is often your first opportunity to show what kind of vet worker you'll be. It can be a bit intimidating, but professionalism in the workplace is so important, especially in a setting like this where you'll be interacting with pet owners. Going into this chapter of your education, you want to try your best to be prepared, respectful, safety-minded, and ready to learn. In this blog we go over some ways you can make a good impression when starting your externship.
Key takeaways
- Prepare ahead of time by confirming logistics, organizing required documents, reviewing the dress code, and arriving 10–15 minutes early.
- Prioritize safety by following instructions, using protective equipment properly, respecting privacy, and asking questions whenever you’re unsure.
- Build trust through professionalism: observe before acting, welcome feedback, communicate respectfully, and show that you’re committed to learning and patient wellbeing.
How to prepare before entering a clinic
It can be a good idea in the days leading up to your first day at your externship to confirm your arrival time, the correct location (some clinics have multiple), which entrance to use, what the parking situation is like, and who your supervisor is. Not everyone drives, so planning your transportation ahead of time can save you some stress. If you suffer from anxiety, these may all be the first things you were planning to do anyway.
You should have all of your documentation situated by the time you reach your first externship. You may want to consider checking into the dress code to help ensure you are presenting yourself as a professional and put-together on your first day. It also can be helpful to bring a pen and notepad so you can take notes as you learn, and its good etiquette to arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Read more: What to Know About the Vet Tech Externships
What to wear and bring to your externship
The dress code for your externship is likely dependent on your site. Some clinics or hospitals may require a uniform for employees and externs. Some may not require a uniform but have a strict dress code. And others may not have many rules so long as what you wear is appropriate. Follow your sites instructions when it comes to what you wear throughout your externship. Regardless of what your specific site's rules are, consider wearing sensible, comfortable closed-toe shoes and it may be a good idea to limit accessories.
Like many workplaces, your phone should be kept on silent and out of the way so you aren't distracted or disturbing the work or the patients and their humans. You can bring personal items, but consider limiting them to only what's necessary, like your wallet, ID, and anything else you need throughout the day.
How to introduce yourself professionally
First impressions are important, but don't overthink it. Being polite and offering a friendly smile will often be received positively. It also doesn't hurt to express appreciation for being able to complete your externship at the site and show enthusiasm for learning new skills. A tip that may not be very obvious comes from Meghan Wells, DVM, MPH and Penn Foster Veterinary Academy Instructor. "It can be helpful to bring a second set of scrubs along, since some days can be messy,” she says. “The scrubs can be kept in a car or locker."
It's important to respect professional boundaries when you meet the people you'll be working with and throughout your externship experience. This includes with pet owners. Avoiding assumptions about anyone is always a good rule a thumb.
Safety etiquette comes first
Just like in a human hospital, an animal hospital deals with real lives. This means safety is the most important thing. You'll be familiar with some safety measures from your studies, but actually applying them is a different story. Here are some things you can do for safety in your externship:
- Follow instructions exactly.
- Use personal protective equipment as directed.
- Respect infection-prevention procedures.
- Handle equipment, sharps, specimens, medications, and patient belongings only with authorization.
- Report safety concerns promptly.
- Protect patient privacy in hallways, elevators, break rooms, and online spaces.
- Stay within the limits of training and authorization.
If you are unsure how to complete a task or if you should, it's always best to ask before making an assumption and continuing on.
Read more: The Difference Between a Veterinary Technician & a Veterinary Technologist
Observe before you act
Observation can be an active form of learning. Seeing and absorbing how professionals and experts perform tasks, talk to pet owners, and even how they carry themselves can help influence how you do these things.
That being said, it can be a good idea to ask for permission before joining a task on your own. Taking initiative is a great thing, but when real lives are involved, your supervisors will likely want to make sure you're ready before you start working on something. If the situation is urgent, you may want to avoid interrupting and just observe unless asked to partake.
Read more: The Realities of Working in a Veterinary Clinic: What No One Tells You
Ask the right questions
Asking questions is always a smart move. Assuming you know the right process when you have some doubts can sometimes lead to catastrophic results in a setting like this, so asking questions can quite literally save lives. Questions around safety and accuracy can be good to voice.
Some questions to consider asking can include:
- What is the preferred process for this task?
- What should I prioritize when the clinic gets busy?
- How do you typically communicate updates to the team?
- What should I do if I make a mistake?
- What would make my support most useful today?
- Could you explain the reason behind that step?
This is not a definitive list, of course, and if a question pops into your head during your externship, don't hesitate to ask. Just be sure to not interrupt an important task for something non-urgent.
Read more: Is a Veterinary Career Right for You? 5 Questions to Ask Before Enrolling
How to respond to feedback and mistakes
It can be hard sometimes to take constructive feedback with grace. It's rare, however, that you'll get no feedback, especially during an externship where you'll be learning hands-on possibly for the first time. If it's not your first time, you may be learning things differently than you have previously.
It can be a good method to treat feedback as simply part of the externship experience. It exists to help you learn and grow and become the best vet tech you can be. Try to listen carefully to the feedback you're receiving, ask for clarification if necessary, and apply it as best you can going forward.
What clinics remember (good and bad)
This may vary from clinic to clinic, but good job etiquette is often fondly remembered by any professional setting. If you're dependable and respectful, as well as receptive to feedback and value safety, you'll likely be remembered positively.
If you're often late, talk back to your supervisors, don't keep safety at the forefront, and mishandle animals, you may not be remembered very favorably. People who take the effort to enroll in a training program often take this career seriously, so it's important to show it when you're completing your externship.
Professionalism builds trust
You don't need to be perfect from the get go, but professionalism can help build trust and rapport with your site supervisors, and can even potentially lead to a real job after graduation. Try to show up ready to learn and with the mindset that the wellbeing of the patient is the most important thing. Request more information about Penn Foster's Veterinary Technician Program or read more about our externships to see if this is right for you.
