text: i need career school help please? i have been researching stratford career institute, penn foster, and now gatlin education services which is an online program through a local college. the down payment for stratford is alot easier but im not sure where it would get me. anyone know if employers will even consider 'career diploma' candidates? i want to work as a veterinary assistant and have no previous experience. i need help, anyone have any type of answer to these questions please reply!~! are you wanting to become a veterinary technician or an assistant?  there is a huge difference.  the veterinary technician program penn-foster is accredited by the avma (american veterinary medical association), which means that if you successfully completed the program with penn-foster, you could sit for the vtne (veterinary technician national exam) and a state board exam if your state offers it.  however - i have spoken to several veterinarians that do not take degrees from these online courses as seriously, even if the person passed the board exams.  it is too easy for people to cheat on tests since most tests are taken at home, and you also do not get the quality of clinical laboratory experience that you'd get in a traditional classroom setting.  also, many traditional programs for veterinary technicians and assistants require hands-on care of resident teaching animals.  and if you're in an online program, you don't get that extra experience of caring for the animals.  for those reasons, many veterinarians pass over vet tech / assistant applicants that have a degree from online schools.  not all of course, but many vets do feel this way.