Recent Graduate Fulfills Long-term Goal at Middlesex CC

Growing up watching “Law and Order,” Stephen Deninger had dreams of becoming a lawyer. Although he did not pursue a job in the industry at the outset of his career, a three-month-long run serving on a grand jury inspired him to change paths.

“I decided then that I wanted to be involved in the legal field in some way and did some research on different career paths,” Deninger said. “The paralegal path seemed interesting and accessible, so I set about saving the money to go back to school for my certificate.”

In 2020, Deninger had saved up to start the Paralegal Studies certificate program at Middlesex Community College. Even though the campus was farther away from his home in Phillipston, Mass., MCC’s program was the best option that met all of his needs – offering affordable and convenient courses, program approval by the ABA (American Bar Association), and helping students complete internship experiences.

“I decided that it would be worth the hour drive a couple of times a week to attend,” he said. “I made that decision prior to the pandemic – and remote classes during lockdown ended up making the commute a moot point – but it would’ve been the right decision either way.”

Completing the majority of his certificate online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Deninger still got the most out of his studies. Professors – including Halye Sugarman and Russell Goldberg – adapted to the changes that were presented to them by the pandemic in order to continue sharing their wealth of knowledge of the industry. He considers his professors and classmates to have been “patient, creative and invested in making the learning process as good as it could be.”

Having previously earned bachelor’s degrees in both English and Philosophy, Deninger brought higher education experience with him to his studies. MCC’s Paralegal Studies curriculum allowed him to build upon his knowledge base in classes such as Legal Research and Writing that made it more relevant to the industry.

“MCC’s Paralegal Studies Certificate program helped me to adapt and develop my existing skills for legal work while also giving me the knowledge and skillset necessary to succeed in a legal environment,” he said. “All of the skills that I learned in class have been directly applicable to the work I’m now doing as a paralegal at a law firm.”

Before starting MCC’s program, Deninger was nervous about job prospects and how to start his new career, including feeling as though he might be “unqualified or unprepared.” Attending two career service events offered by the college and completing an online internship at the Court Service Center in Lowell helped him hone his skills and prepare him for the workforce.

During his internship, Deninger had the opportunity to work with people on understanding how the court system works, including letting them know their options and helping them fill out paperwork. The internship also allowed him to take the information and theories he was learning in his classes and apply it to practical experiences in the field.

“I continue to be amazed at how effectively my coursework prepared me to get started in the legal field,” he said. “I’m still learning as I go and I expect I always will be – that’s just the nature of the beast. Nevertheless, the MCC Paralegal Studies program did a phenomenal job of setting me up for success.”

Having gained the knowledge and experience he needed from Middlesex, Deninger completed the certificate program in May 2021 and started looking for jobs in his new field. He now works as a full-time paralegal at Nigro, Pettepit & Lucas, LLP, making a long-held dream come true.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” Deninger said about Middlesex. “Worth every penny.”

Part of the Social Science pathway, the Paralegal Studies program at MCC helps students go into – and succeed in – the workforce or transfer to four-year schools with its award-winning and affordable offerings, small class sizes and flexible schedules. For more information, visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/discover/dyp_socsci.aspx to discover a path to a career in Social Science at Middlesex.

If you have ever taken a class at MCC, you are an alum! To share your story – and join the free Alumni Association – contact Amy Lee, Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations, at 978-656-3028 or leea@middlesex.mass.edu. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/alumni for more information.

Registration for MCC’s WinterSession and Spring 2022 semester – starting on Monday, January 3 and Monday, January 24 – are now open. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434 for more information and to register for classes.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!