Future Penn State students in the College of the Liberal Arts might have an easier time finding jobs.

Penn State alumna Cathy Rein made a commitment of $1 million from her estate as a gift to the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network in the college.

The network helps to place students in internships and evaluate their skills to help place them in suitable jobs, said Susan Welch, College of the Liberal Arts dean.

Welch said the gift will greatly help future students in job placement and help to get them ready for their careers.

“Our career enrichment network is really a wonderful innovation to allow us to greatly expand the opportunities we can offer students,” she said.

Though it is an estate gift and will not go immediately to the college, Welch is hoping that Rein’s generosity will help show other donors the network’s need for more funding in the short term.

Welch said she hopes Rein will be around for a long time, and it will be one of Welch’s successors as dean who will decide how the money is used. But she still was very excited to hear the news.

“It’s just a wonderful gift,” Welch said. “I was thrilled.”

Welch said more funding would help to expand the operation and help more students get jobs.

“The economy has slumped, and its harder for students to get those first jobs,” she said. “Some need a little extra help.”

Matt Morgan can be reached at 235-3928. Follow him on Twitter @MetroMattMorgan