Tess Troschuk

Tess decided to return to school as an adult learner after gaining valuable experience as a legal assistant in a corporate law department. Inspired by her mentors, who were senior paralegals, she realized that pursuing a paralegal certificate at an ABA-approved program would be the key to advancing her career. After researching programs in the Chicagoland area, Tess chose SCPS due to its strong reputation both statewide and nationally. 

“I researched all the ABA-approved paralegal certificate programs in the Chicagoland area, and Loyola stood out as not only a leading program within the state, but also a leading program within the country. The curriculum covered foundational topics for paralegals but would also allow me to explore topics like Employment Law and Family Law.” 

During her time at SCPS, Tess found the experience to be incredibly impactful. The program not only provided her with professional connections in the legal field but also introduced her to faculty members who were experts in their respective areas. One of her most memorable experiences was in PLST 331, where students focused on both legal knowledge and professional development. A standout assignment involved building out their LinkedIn profiles, with personalized feedback from the professor. Tess also recalled a mock labor negotiation in her Employment Law class, where students were split into Union and Corporation representatives to simulate real-world negotiations. 

Tess’s positive experience at SCPS motivated her to become an ambassador for the program. Having already acted informally as an advocate for SCPS by recommending the program to peers, she wanted to take on a more formal role. Tess believes in the program’s ability to support working professionals and appreciates how SCPS tailors its courses to the needs of adult learners. Her advice to prospective students is that while returning to school may seem intimidating, SCPS offers the flexibility and support needed to succeed. Professors understand the demands of balancing professional and personal life, and Tess encourages others to take the leap, knowing they’ll have a strong network behind them. 

“I was nervous to return to school as an adult, working full time, but once I began the Paralegal Studies program, I saw that professors tailored their courses to adult learners and for those of us who are pursuing this while working full time. Your professors and SCPS want you to succeed!”