CLC Legal Studies alumna leads Illinois Paralegal Association

College of Lake County alumna Melissa Jurik '12 was recently elected president of the Illinois Paralegal Association. She regularly returns to campus to help the next generation of alums.

"Melissa generously gives her time to our students helping them transform into polished professionals," said Gayle Miller, legal studies instructor. "She comes by every year to promote professionalism and talk about career paths and create access to networking opportunities for our students."

While a student at CLC, Jurik was actively involved as president of Pupils of Paralegal Studies, a student member of the CLC Advisory Board, member and officer of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, First Generation College Student Club and Emerging Leaders Program. After graduating from CLC, she went on to attend Roosevelt University in 2013. Jurik has excelled as a professional for several Chicago law offices, currently specializing in general litigation and employment law as an insurance defense paralegal.

"I attribute my success as a paralegal not only to the education I received from the amazing teachers in the paralegal program, but from the other teachers and advisors at CLC as well," Jurik said. "Being involved in clubs and organizations, on and off campus, can teach you almost as much as the classes themselves by teaching you 'soft skills' you may not learn in the classroom."

Additionally, a member of the college's paralegal career advisory committee, Jennifer Fryer, was also elected to the Illinois Paralegal Association board as vice president. Fryer studied sociology and earned bachelor's degrees from both Northern State University and South Dakota State University. She is currently a senior paralegal at Steptoe & Johnson, LLP where she specializes in intellectual property law.

"Both Melissa and Jennifer are dedicated to the success of CLC's paralegals," proudly said Miller.