TCLA General Discussion Thread #2 (2021)

[DisciplineTC2526]

Hey, anyone who got on to the NRF summer vac scheme - have you heard anything from grad rec following signing the offer letter?

 

[LawGrad2019]

The firm finally sent my documents!!!!!! Just committed to my TC after signing it... rejecting everything else now is too nerve wracking, I never thought I would be doing this although writing 'future trainee' on LinkedIn feels so good

I read this as the firm sending you your doughnuts

 

[Kablahc]

I read this as the firm sending you your doughnuts

I hope not, I'm lactose intolerant

 

[Sonia_Kawaii]

Hi, I've applied for the Dubai summer internship but haven't heard back after the WG. They said they will let me know 10th May.

Same here! Thank you so much Good luck

 

[jan28]

hi guys, this might be completely obvious/stupid but how do you differentiate (if there is a difference) between 'when have you overcome a challenge?' and 'when have you solved a problem?' i kinda feel both are asking the same but wondering if I'm missing something

 

[Sonia_Kawaii]

The firm finally sent my documents!!!!!! Just committed to my TC after signing it... rejecting everything else now is too nerve wracking, I never thought I would be doing this although writing 'future trainee' on LinkedIn feels so good

Woohoo!!! Congratulations!!

 

[Sonia_Kawaii]

hi guys, this might be completely obvious/stupid but how do you differentiate (if there is a difference) between 'when have you overcome a challenge?' and 'when have you solved a problem?' i kinda feel both are asking the same but wondering if I'm missing something

I have this problem too! Would be great if anyone could clarify. @Jessica Booker would a personal experience be okay to write about when the question is about a 'challenge'? Can I message you as this is quite personal?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I have this problem too! Would be great if anyone could clarify. @Jessica Booker would a personal experience be okay to write about when the question is about a 'challenge'? Can I message you as this is quite personal?

There is a difference.

 

[jan28]

There is a difference.

please elaborate!

 

[JayC]

please elaborate!

To me, solving a problem seems more clinical and is something that demonstrates intellect and seeing the big picture, while overcoming a challenge seems to be getting at more resilience/perseverance, could be wrong though

 

[Asil Ahmad]

To me, solving a problem seems more clinical and is something that demonstrates intellect and seeing the big picture, while overcoming a challenge seems to be getting at more resilience/perseverance, could be wrong though

Exactly what I was about to say the latter is to do with resilience.

 

[HorsesForCoursesNeighNeighNeigh]

hi guys, this might be completely obvious/stupid but how do you differentiate (if there is a difference) between 'when have you overcome a challenge?' and 'when have you solved a problem?' i kinda feel both are asking the same but wondering if I'm missing something

Overcoming a challenge: something that shows your strength of character and resilience to get through something (personal or professional) that you found personally difficult. Like a difficult circumstance that you overcame, what you learnt and what that shows about you as a person. How this would mean you have the inner strength to get through the gruelling challenge of becoming a lawyer.

solved a problem is completely difficult: when have you faced a complex task, a Gordian knot that you had to work out? Like a work task that seemed impossible. How did you go about it? Are you creative, do you think laterally, can you be given a challenge and head off, sort it all by yourself? Can you come up with ideas that others can’t?

 

[Jacob Miller]

hi guys, this might be completely obvious/stupid but how do you differentiate (if there is a difference) between 'when have you overcome a challenge?' and 'when have you solved a problem?' i kinda feel both are asking the same but wondering if I'm missing something

So I think the differentiation really comes from the possibility that the two things can be mutually exclusive.

A problem is something which has a negative impact and, thus, needs solved or rectified in some way. For example, if you're a sound tech at a gig and the sound system breaks before the gig starts, that is a problem because it needs rectified urgently for the gig to go ahead.
A challenge, however, doesn't have to be a problem - that is to say, there is not always something which needs rectified to start the challenge. Someone might, for example, have a very functional level of fitness but nevertheless challenge themselves to take on a marathon. They aren't fixing any problems by taking on a marathon, they are simply setting themselves a challenge because they want to. The challenge is defined as being something which is difficult, or tough in some way but is a tangible goal which can be met with targets and aspirations.

The confusion can arise in situations where a problem and a challenge can overlap somewhat - for example, in our sound tech scenario, the sound system failing is a problem. Whether it is also a challenge depends on the nature of the system failing: if it's a really easy fix ("turn it off and back on again"), it's not a challenge. If it's a nightmare to fix (blown fuses, snapped cables etc), it is then a challenge to fix as it is a complex job.

Hope this helps!

 

[Sonia_Kawaii]

Overcoming a challenge: something that shows your strength of character and resilience to get through something (personal or professional) that you found personally difficult. Like a difficult circumstance that you overcame, what you learnt and what that shows about you as a person. How this would mean you have the inner strength to get through the gruelling challenge of becoming a lawyer.

solved a problem is completely difficult: when have you faced a complex task, a Gordian knot that you had to work out? Like a work task that seemed impossible. How did you go about it? Are you creative, do you think laterally, can you be given a challenge and head off, sort it all by yourself? Can you come up with ideas that others can’t?

Perfect! Thank you - you're always saving lives on here haha

 

[jan28]

Overcoming a challenge: something that shows your strength of character and resilience to get through something (personal or professional) that you found personally difficult. Like a difficult circumstance that you overcame, what you learnt and what that shows about you as a person. How this would mean you have the inner strength to get through the gruelling challenge of becoming a lawyer.

solved a problem is completely difficult: when have you faced a complex task, a Gordian knot that you had to work out? Like a work task that seemed impossible. How did you go about it? Are you creative, do you think laterally, can you be given a challenge and head off, sort it all by yourself? Can you come up with ideas that others can’t?

To me, solving a problem seems more clinical and is something that demonstrates intellect and seeing the big picture, while overcoming a challenge seems to be getting at more resilience/perseverance, could be wrong though

So I think the differentiation really comes from the possibility that the two things can be mutually exclusive.

A problem is something which has a negative impact and, thus, needs solved or rectified in some way. For example, if you're a sound tech at a gig and the sound system breaks before the gig starts, that is a problem because it needs rectified urgently for the gig to go ahead.
A challenge, however, doesn't have to be a problem - that is to say, there is not always something which needs rectified to start the challenge. Someone might, for example, have a very functional level of fitness but nevertheless challenge themselves to take on a marathon. They aren't fixing any problems by taking on a marathon, they are simply setting themselves a challenge because they want to. The challenge is defined as being something which is difficult, or tough in some way but is a tangible goal which can be met with targets and aspirations.

The confusion can arise in situations where a problem and a challenge can overlap somewhat - for example, in our sound tech scenario, the sound system failing is a problem. Whether it is also a challenge depends on the nature of the system failing: if it's a really easy fix ("turn it off and back on again"), it's not a challenge. If it's a nightmare to fix (blown fuses, snapped cables etc), it is then a challenge to fix as it is a complex job.

Hope this helps!

these are so helpful! thank you so much in my recent interview feedback i was told i could've used a better example for overcoming a challenge as now i realise i gave more of a problem-solving answer, which got me thinking! thanks again guys

 

[Sonia_Kawaii]

So I think the differentiation really comes from the possibility that the two things can be mutually exclusive.

A problem is something which has a negative impact and, thus, needs solved or rectified in some way. For example, if you're a sound tech at a gig and the sound system breaks before the gig starts, that is a problem because it needs rectified urgently for the gig to go ahead.
A challenge, however, doesn't have to be a problem - that is to say, there is not always something which needs rectified to start the challenge. Someone might, for example, have a very functional level of fitness but nevertheless challenge themselves to take on a marathon. They aren't fixing any problems by taking on a marathon, they are simply setting themselves a challenge because they want to. The challenge is defined as being something which is difficult, or tough in some way but is a tangible goal which can be met with targets and aspirations.

The confusion can arise in situations where a problem and a challenge can overlap somewhat - for example, in our sound tech scenario, the sound system failing is a problem. Whether it is also a challenge depends on the nature of the system failing: if it's a really easy fix ("turn it off and back on again"), it's not a challenge. If it's a nightmare to fix (blown fuses, snapped cables etc), it is then a challenge to fix as it is a complex job.

Hope this helps!

That's been extremely helpful!! Makes it a lot clearer now that you've explained it this way. I was always a little confused Thank youuu!!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

So I think the differentiation really comes from the possibility that the two things can be mutually exclusive.

A problem is something which has a negative impact and, thus, needs solved or rectified in some way. For example, if you're a sound tech at a gig and the sound system breaks before the gig starts, that is a problem because it needs rectified urgently for the gig to go ahead.
A challenge, however, doesn't have to be a problem - that is to say, there is not always something which needs rectified to start the challenge. Someone might, for example, have a very functional level of fitness but nevertheless challenge themselves to take on a marathon. They aren't fixing any problems by taking on a marathon, they are simply setting themselves a challenge because they want to. The challenge is defined as being something which is difficult, or tough in some way but is a tangible goal which can be met with targets and aspirations.

The confusion can arise in situations where a problem and a challenge can overlap somewhat - for example, in our sound tech scenario, the sound system failing is a problem. Whether it is also a challenge depends on the nature of the system failing: if it's a really easy fix ("turn it off and back on again"), it's not a challenge. If it's a nightmare to fix (blown fuses, snapped cables etc), it is then a challenge to fix as it is a complex job.

Hope this helps!

Could have not explained it better and as always your replies are so helpful.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

hi guys, this might be completely obvious/stupid but how do you differentiate (if there is a difference) between 'when have you overcome a challenge?' and 'when have you solved a problem?' i kinda feel both are asking the same but wondering if I'm missing something

There can be cross over.

But to me a challenge is something that requires determination, hard work, grit, self drive, persistence, resilience.

Over coming a problem could be something that requires creativity, lateral thinking, thinking outside of the box, taking a different approach.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I have this problem too! Would be great if anyone could clarify. @Jessica Booker would a personal experience be okay to write about when the question is about a 'challenge'? Can I message you as this is quite personal?

Yes you can PM me.

Personal circumstances can be used for challenges, although I think you have to be very comfortable in disclosing them further in an interview if you do put them on an application form.

 

[Sonia_Kawaii]

Thanks, Jessica. I’ll PM you now

Yes you can PM me.

Personal circumstances can be used for challenges, although I think you have to be very comfortable in disclosing them further in an interview if you do put them on an application form.