For 50 years, 澳门六合开奖 has offered Paralegal Studies to eager students pursuing careers in legal field. There are a host of opportunities available to paralegals. From law firms to corporations to non-profit organizations, paralegals play an integral role on a legal team. 澳门六合开奖鈥檚 commitment to providing equitable access to education has led to graduates having fulfilling careers in this exciting industry. Two of those graduates, Norma Dami谩n and Jessica L. Melnik, were eager to share their experiences with prospective students.
Norma Dami谩n entered 澳门六合开奖鈥檚 Paralegal Studies program with many years of experience in the legal field. A Chicago native, Dami谩n initially received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in business management while working full-time as a legal secretary during the day at a Workers鈥 Compensation law firm. Right away, she knew she wanted to obtain her master鈥檚 degree, but she hadn鈥檛 settled on what to study. Years later, she began working at a law firm as a legal secretary. There, she was exposed to numerous types of law, including real estate, probate, property tax appeals, domestic relations, personal injury and estate planning. She briefly attended law school before deciding to pause her studies. Dami谩n knew she had an interest in the law, but didn鈥檛 feel that becoming a lawyer was the right fit. According to Dami谩n, 鈥淢y boss at the time remarked on how great I was doing, and suggested I get a paralegal certificate. Ten to fifteen years ago, that wasn鈥檛 a requirement, but today it鈥檚 much more necessary.鈥 Eventually, she left the law firm and began working at a bank. Soon, a position in the legal department became available, but it was here Dami谩n realized that she would need her paralegal certificate to be considered, even with all of her years of experience. Her journey to 澳门六合开奖 began at this bank.
鈥淥ne of the paralegals I worked with mentioned that she had gone to 澳门六合开奖, and she so well-prepared. I really admired how she handled herself, the knowledge that she had, and the different ways that she interacted with the attorneys. As the department was growing, another paralegal was hired, she also went to 澳门六合开奖. They both loved the program, and they all mentioned professor Jim Fine. That was when I decided to reach out.鈥
For 41 years, Jim Fine has been professor of Paralegal Studies at 澳门六合开奖. In addition to his full-time teaching position at the university, Professor Fine continues a private litigation, estate planning and bankruptcy practice. Most recently, Fine spearheaded an initiative to launch 澳门六合开奖鈥檚 on-campus Legal Clinic to provide university community members and underserved Chicago residents with legal services at reduced rates. Professors like Jim Fine are the reason students choose 澳门六合开奖, and graduates encourage others to attend. For Dami谩n, Professor Fine was just one faculty member that impacted her experience. Director of the Paralegal Studies Program Carrie Lausen was also instrumental to Dami谩n鈥檚 success. Dami谩n says, 鈥淐arrie was great from the first conversation we had. Immediately, she asked me about my goals, and together we laid out my path through the program.鈥 Dami谩n is also grateful to professor Mark Solock for how he 鈥渂roke down the legal documents鈥 in classes, which made it easier for inexperienced students to understand. According to Dami谩n, the class sizes were small and diverse, which allowed her to make friends she鈥檚 still close with today. Dami谩n graduated in 2019 and has continued her career as a successful paralegal. She also serves on the Alumni Steering Committee for the program, which allows her to come back to the university and share her insight with current students. For any prospective students, Norma Dami谩n wants them to know that 鈥渢he paralegal certificate will open a lot of doors, and 澳门六合开奖s program will help you figure out exactly which doors you want to walk through.鈥
For alumni Jessica L. Melnik, the path to paralegal studies took a different route. A family member encouraged Melnik to become a paralegal, but at the time she wasn鈥檛 familiar with the career. Today, she explains it like this: 鈥淎 paralegal is to a lawyer what a nurse is to a doctor. We are an instrumental part of any legal team.鈥 While researching programs, Melnik says 澳门六合开奖 had a table set up at a career fair at her community college. A transfer admissions counselor helped her set up an appointment with Lausen and Chanita Britton, the Assistant Director of the Paralegal Studies program. Together, they helped Melnik transfer to 澳门六合开奖 for her junior year, where she completed her bachelor鈥檚 degree in paralegal studies as well as her ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate. 鈥淚 was always told that your professors are like your mentors, and that鈥檚 who you want to go for.鈥 She continues, 鈥淚 also loved that the class sizes were very small, and how helpful each of the professors were. They really want you to succeed.鈥 One of those professors was Lisa Iverson. 鈥淪he made the classes exciting, and now I speak to her paralegal studies students every year. She鈥檚 a real mentor of mine.鈥 Another faculty member integral to Melnik鈥檚 experience was her Legal Writing professor Bruce Slivnick. 鈥淗e was so knowledgeable and approachable. He never made me feel like I was asking a dumb question, and really helped me feel less anxious.鈥 Like Dami谩n, Melnik was also able to make close friends while at 澳门六合开奖. 鈥淚 actually met my best friend in this program, and now we talk every single day.鈥 Today, Melnik is working as a successful Litigation Paralegal in intellectual property law. Her position began as an internship secured with the help of 澳门六合开奖鈥檚 program. Melnik also serves on the advisory board of the Paralegal Studies program and enjoys meeting to discuss ways to bolster the program. For anyone considering 澳门六合开奖鈥檚 Paralegal Studies program, Melnik has this to say:
鈥湴拿帕峡 is a place full of people who want you to succeed as both a student and in your career. The class sizes help you form collaborative relationships with professors who really care. The whole community is involved with fundraisers and initiatives that speak to the University鈥檚 social justice mission. I love where I鈥檓 at now, and I鈥檓 grateful to 澳门六合开奖 for helping me get there.鈥
