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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Unknowncabbage

Legendary Member
May 18, 2024
126
175
I can’t see how staying late to help out would leave a bad impression, particularly when they’re trying to see if you fit in with the team/culture and if you can handle the demand
Because they always emphasise at the start that you shouldn't be working past 5:30/6PM. If anything your supervisor is just going to be like why an earth are you still here. I get that it can look like you're doing a good thing, but your supervisors and others are unlikely to see it as that.
 

aliiiisonxooox

Star Member
Premium Member
Oct 31, 2025
25
67
Hi @Abbie Whitlock

I hope you’re doing good and thanks for answering all the questions I’ve had for the past two weeks preparing for my VIs and AC.

I have one more question! When asked “ what’s your biggest achievement” is it okay to give a personal experience example that’s related to you and not work/ career. This is for an international firm

For example, my biggest achievement is moving from Poland to the UK at the age of 15 and having to learn English etc etc, go to school and succeed academically - and example how I’ve done that- it was a challenge I found tough but I overcame it by X Y Z and turned it into an achievement as I learned English, completed my a levels etc did a LLB and LLM

Or is this too generic? I feel like this relates to the international firm because they have a very diverse culture of people that might have moved from X to Y. And started a new life.

Thank you so much
 
Reactions: Abbie Whitlock

adf43256

Well-Known Member
Feb 5, 2024
24
34
How does the process of seeking out work on a VS look like? Is it quite informal as in you get assigned some work and other times you can go around asking if anyone has any work they need done? Also, on the topic of staying late at the office during the VS, I personally hate London rush hour and would rather avoid it. If during my VS I was to stay until 7pm how would the process of seeking out work after hours look like?
 
Reactions: Abbie Whitlock

nonlawstudent98

Valued Member
Premium Member
Apr 8, 2021
110
262
How does the process of seeking out work on a VS look like? Is it quite informal as in you get assigned some work and other times you can go around asking if anyone has any work they need done? Also, on the topic of staying late at the office during the VS, I personally hate London rush hour and would rather avoid it. If during my VS I was to stay until 7pm how would the process of seeking out work after hours look like?
It is going to vary depending on the firm but, in general, you will be assigned work by your supervisor and you can volunteer to help with extra work. The problem with staying late is it gives the impression that you have bad time-management skills. They expect you to get your work done within the core vacation scheme hours.
 

elle.brokovitch

Standard Member
Jan 29, 2026
9
19
Hi everyone,


I have a vacation scheme with a US firm and am eager to convert it to a training contract—I don't want to go through another application cycle, as I'm sure you can all understand!


I was wondering if anyone has tips for dealing with imposter syndrome? I'm not from a Russell Group or Oxbridge university and will likely be the only one there without that background. How can I stay confident, let myself shine, and not feel intimidated by the other vacation schemers?

Thanks!
I did my undergrad at a prestigious university, and was practically crapping it the whole of my first year; i came from a state college and had little to no experience of my subject outside of my passion for it. meanwhile everyone else came from huge international or private schools, had years of internship and work experience in the field as seemed to be complete experts in the field. to say i had many wobbles would be an understatement; i had serious impostor syndrome! but everytime i had it, i would keep going back to what they told us on the first day; "we had hundreds and thousands of applicants, great applicants. out of all of the applicants, we hand picked you, and we did so for a reason. so everytime you feel out of place, or as if you don't belong, remember that out of the thousands, you were who we wanted, you were always meant to be here."

and in your case-it's true. imagine how many applicants have applied for the vacation scheme, you were handpicked for it-you were the best person for the job. sometimes it is not at all about your background, how many experiences you have or haven't had, but despite that, you were chosen, for who you are. so carry that with confidence! you didn't need a fancy uni to succeed, simply being who you are, and bringing what you bring, was enough to secure you a vac scheme-and that is fantastic!

wishing you the best of luck superstar!
 

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