As the summer comes to a close, some college students will have a better chance to land a choice job. An internship can make the difference. Dale Law, a rising senior at Villanova University, recently completed a paid summer internship with a focus on taxation at Fischer Cunnane Certified Public Accountants & Consultants. A native of West Chester, Law attended Malvern Prep and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in accounting at Villanova, where he is a linebacker for the Wildcats football team.
“It’s a lot to juggle, but it’s so worth it,” said Law.
According to 2024 LinkedIn data, students who participated in an internship are 25 percent more likely to land a job within six months from graduation compared to their counterparts without an internship.
“In today’s challenging job market, that gives students a competitive edge,” said Rick Stiebritz, President and Managing Shareholder of West Chester-based Fischer Cunnane. “We partner with top universities across the state to identify promising talent and actively support paid internships that provide exceptional coaching and a hands-on introduction to the field of accounting.”
“I’ve always been good with numbers, so it felt natural to gravitate to business and accounting, but I wasn’t always set on accounting,” said Law. “My internship with Fischer Cunnane helped me decide that I definitely want to focus my career on accounting.
“One of the hardest things that most students encounter is how to find a good match for an internship.”
He credits networking for opening the door to the opportunity. He learned about Fischer Cunnane from a colleague who introduced him to a shareholder at the firm, where he landed an interview and the internship.
“Dale hit the ground running,” said Doug Pacitti, Shareholder and Director of Personnel at Fischer Cunnane. “He not only had the opportunity to learn the foundation that is necessary to succeed in the accounting field, but he was also able to make a valuable contribution. While internships help students gain hands-on experience, they also provide a chance to get to know individuals who may be excellent candidates for full-time work in the future.”
“There’s a big difference between what we learn in the classroom and getting firsthand experience,” said Law. “An internship helps you decide if you want to go into the profession, and it’s a great way to build a network within the industry.
“I learned about the depth and breadth of Fischer Cunnane’s client base that encompasses emerging businesses and multimillion-dollar corporations, the importance of accuracy and efficient communication; and I learned that you really can’t over-emphasize the point that deadlines are very important in this business!
“I really appreciated being in the office and experiencing the interaction with co-workers who coached me on some of the more challenging aspects of taxation. You just can’t build those kinds of relationships during virtual meetings. The entire team welcomed me with open arms from day one. It was great to work with a professional team and gain such valuable experience.”
Fischer Cunnane will be participating in the West Chester University “Meet the Firms Night” on Thursday, Sept. 4 and the Job & Internship Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
For information about internships or employment at Fischer Cunnane, contact [email protected].
Fischer Cunnane is a certified public accounting firm that provides a comprehensive range of accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting services to individuals and businesses throughout the Philadelphia region. With a long-standing reputation for excellence, Fischer Cunnane is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals.
