SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — For Ally Rutherford, earning a Penn State Schuylkill degree led to more than a diploma — it opened the door to a full-time career before graduation.

Rutherford, who recently graduated with a bachelor of science in business with a major in accounting, accepted a full-time position as an associate in Small Business at RKL LLP. She will begin her new role in September after receiving a job offer a few weeks before graduation.

The opportunity grew out of an internship with RKL during the spring 2026 semester, allowing Rutherford to gain valuable hands-on experience while building relationships with the firm's employees.

"At my farewell meeting, I was asked if I was interested in working full time for the company," Rutherford said. "I was very interested. I had to go through the interview process again because I would be working in a different service line from my internship, but it was easier than I expected."

Rutherford's path to RKL began long before her internship. She first learned about the firm through a Penn State Schuylkill alumnus and connected with representatives at the campus Career Fair. That introduction led her to participate in RKL's Catalyst Program before completing her internship, ultimately resulting in a full-time offer.

"I can't say enough about the Penn State alumni network," Rutherford said. "It played a huge role in my journey with RKL. The connections I made through Penn State Schuylkill opened doors and helped prepare me for each new opportunity."

She also said she credits the accounting program, particularly the mentorship of Angela Brown, assistant teaching professor of business, with preparing her for a successful transition from student to professional.

"My time at Penn State Schuylkill prepared me for this role through both the coursework and the hands-on experiences I had during my four years," Rutherford said. "I graduated with the education, confidence and professional skills I needed to begin my career."

Penn State Schuylkill emphasizes experiential learning opportunities that connect students with employers through internships, career fairs, networking events and industry partnerships. These experiences help students gain practical skills while building professional relationships that often lead to employment before graduation.

As Rutherford prepares to begin her career, she is already looking toward the future. She plans to earn her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license through RKL while gaining experience in the accounting profession. Ultimately, she said, she hopes to open her own accounting firm.

"I'm excited to start this new journey," Rutherford said. "I'll also be working alongside one of my good friends, Macie Brown, who also recently graduated from Penn State Schuylkill, so I think we're going to have a great experience together."