Akia Segers
Being the Example
Akia Segers earned her Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies in December 2022, with a Certificate in Corporate Litigation. For the last eight years, she has worked full-time at Verizon, now as a Chat Tech Expert. Segers, 38, also isn’t the only new graduate in her family. Her daughter, D’Niya, graduates from Naperville Central High School this May and will be attending Loyola in the fall.
What financial challenges did you face pursuing your degree?
I was one of those students who went to school for everything when I was younger. I was maxed out of my loans. So I solely depended on scholarships at Loyola. I survived by paying cash and I applied for every scholarship I could.
How did you manage to balance a full-time job and being a full-time student?
With dedication. I came in with a goal and I was going to achieve it by any means.
That had to be a challenge.
It wasn’t as hard as people think. With the support that we get at Loyola and the teachers, who are great, that helped a lot. A lot of my classes were fun. Especially my law classes. It didn’t feel like you didn’t want to be there, like you didn’t want to do the work. You wanted to achieve your goals. And with that great support system, they wanted you to do it, too, which pushed me even more.
How did Loyola transform you?
I didn’t have the slightest idea of what to expect when I started but I knew I had a goal I was determined to achieve. At Loyola I learned “cura personalis,” to care for the whole person. I became more than just a student, I became a better person.
Why did you choose Paralegal Studies?
I want to be able to help people. I want to go to law school and I didn’t know what sort of law I wanted to pursue, so Paralegal Studies let me take so many different law classes that it let me narrow it down. I want to stay at Loyola for law school. I loved it so much so far. I’m studying now to get right back into it at Loyola next year. I would like to pursue a J.D in Public Interest and Social Justice so I can continue to be an advocate and work in service for my community.
How do you think you have inspired your daughter?
I think that she was able to see that hard work pays off. You can put your mind to something and really achieve it.
What would you tell a prospective student considering Loyola?
Loyola teaches you more than education. Because it’s also a Catholic University, they teach you about being good to your fellow person.
Who or what had the greatest impact on you at Loyola.
Two things: my professors and the support system staff. They all let you know that they’re there to support you in any way. That helps push you to want to succeed. I was given the tools and resources to be a successful student. My advisors, teachers, and peers were always available to assist in any way they could.
What was your favorite class?
Definitely my capstone class. You had to do something with the community. So you got to use all the tools and resources that you had gathered at Loyola and put it in the real world and actually make a difference. I worked with the organization Imperfect Angels and taught an etiquette class. I was able to take them to a nice environment and get dressed up and learn networking and professional skills at a young age. I like the mentorship aspect of it and just the impact it has on the little girls because it’s hard being a teenager and not always having that support system around them.
What advice would you give someone else pursuing a full-time education while working full-time?
It requires a lot of time management. I wrote down everything. My planner was my best friend. I knew what I had to do and when it was due. And I just tried to stay on task.
May 2, 2023
Being the Example
Akia Segers earned her Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies in December 2022, with a Certificate in Corporate Litigation. For the last eight years, she has worked full-time at Verizon, now as a Chat Tech Expert. Segers, 38, also isn’t the only new graduate in her family. Her daughter, D’Niya, graduates from Naperville Central High School this May and will be attending Loyola in the fall.
What financial challenges did you face pursuing your degree?
I was one of those students who went to school for everything when I was younger. I was maxed out of my loans. So I solely depended on scholarships at Loyola. I survived by paying cash and I applied for every scholarship I could.
How did you manage to balance a full-time job and being a full-time student?
With dedication. I came in with a goal and I was going to achieve it by any means.
That had to be a challenge.
It wasn’t as hard as people think. With the support that we get at Loyola and the teachers, who are great, that helped a lot. A lot of my classes were fun. Especially my law classes. It didn’t feel like you didn’t want to be there, like you didn’t want to do the work. You wanted to achieve your goals. And with that great support system, they wanted you to do it, too, which pushed me even more.
How did Loyola transform you?
I didn’t have the slightest idea of what to expect when I started but I knew I had a goal I was determined to achieve. At Loyola I learned “cura personalis,” to care for the whole person. I became more than just a student, I became a better person.
Why did you choose Paralegal Studies?
I want to be able to help people. I want to go to law school and I didn’t know what sort of law I wanted to pursue, so Paralegal Studies let me take so many different law classes that it let me narrow it down. I want to stay at Loyola for law school. I loved it so much so far. I’m studying now to get right back into it at Loyola next year. I would like to pursue a J.D in Public Interest and Social Justice so I can continue to be an advocate and work in service for my community.
How do you think you have inspired your daughter?
I think that she was able to see that hard work pays off. You can put your mind to something and really achieve it.
What would you tell a prospective student considering Loyola?
Loyola teaches you more than education. Because it’s also a Catholic University, they teach you about being good to your fellow person.
Who or what had the greatest impact on you at Loyola.
Two things: my professors and the support system staff. They all let you know that they’re there to support you in any way. That helps push you to want to succeed. I was given the tools and resources to be a successful student. My advisors, teachers, and peers were always available to assist in any way they could.
What was your favorite class?
Definitely my capstone class. You had to do something with the community. So you got to use all the tools and resources that you had gathered at Loyola and put it in the real world and actually make a difference. I worked with the organization Imperfect Angels and taught an etiquette class. I was able to take them to a nice environment and get dressed up and learn networking and professional skills at a young age. I like the mentorship aspect of it and just the impact it has on the little girls because it’s hard being a teenager and not always having that support system around them.
What advice would you give someone else pursuing a full-time education while working full-time?
It requires a lot of time management. I wrote down everything. My planner was my best friend. I knew what I had to do and when it was due. And I just tried to stay on task.
May 2, 2023