Ask 3 future trainees ANYTHING!

[Andrei Radu]

Hi everyone!

My name is Andrei, I’m a future trainee at Davis Polk and I am currently in my SQE year. I’m excited to returning as one of TCLA’s Community Assistants for this year alongside @Amma Usman and @Abbie Whitlock. I just wanted to say hi again to those who know me from last year and introduce myself to new people!

To share a bit about my background and journey: I’m originally from Romania, and I have only moved to the UK in 2022 to start my law degree at UCL. I knew I had an interest in commercial law since the very beginning of year 1, but I knew very little about the application process and legal landscape in the City. As such, in my first application cycle, I was rejected in all my applications at the first stage.

Fortunately, with the support of a number of friends and career mentors, I bounced back by using my frustration and anxiety as motivation to give 100% in the next application cycle. By attending several careers events every week, completing courses and virtual experiences, and using some of the amazing resources offered by TCLA, I managed to significantly improve my research and application writing skills. Thus, my second cycle was the complete reversal of the first. I ended up receiving vacation scheme offers from Slaughter and May, Milbank, Willkie, and Davis Polk, and was fortunate enough to receive TC offers from the last three firms.

Subsequently, I have started spending lots of time to help friends and acquaintances in overcoming the same struggles I had faced. I took on a similar role at TCLA last year, when, alongside Amma and Ram, I spent the last application cycle as a Community Assistant. Afterwards, during this summer, I spent my time reviewing and updating TCLA’s Law Firm Profiles to ensure they are as informative and up to date as possible.

To list some of the queries I feel like I would be in a good position to answer:

• Application process questions, particularly regarding how to research law firms to identify unique selling points, writing tips, and application strategy.
• Interview tips, especially competency interviews and general commercial awareness/case studies.
• How to improve commercial awareness, particularly in how to make best use of events and online resources.
• Any questions around PE, M&A, and equity capital markets work.
• Tips for overcoming rejection.

However, definitely feel free to ask me anything and everything throughout the forum threads – I am here to help 😊!

Finally, my top tip for aspiring solicitors is to realise you are not in this journey alone. The biggest difference between my first and second application cycle has been the support I received from so many people the second time around, without which I would not be in in this position. So, whether it is friends, your university’s law society, LinkedIn connections, or this forum, do not be afraid to reach out for help!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello everyone!

My name is Amma Usman and I’m a Community Assistant at TCLA alongside @Andrei Radu and @Abbie Whitlock.

By way of introduction, I’m an SQE student at BPP Law School and a Future Trainee at Gibson Dunn. I’m an international student, born and raised in Nigeria, and I moved to the UK a couple years back. I joined TCLA a year ago and I was so keen on joining due to the positive impact it had on my career trajectory and perception of the law firm application process. From the wonderful forum community where everyone was so open and friendly about their experiences, to the comprehensive courses, TCLA really felt like a ‘community’ from day one.

One piece of advice I would really love to share about the whole process is that consistency would take you places that sometimes motivation may not. As a candidate, it’s super easy to feel let down by rejections or struggle with confidence during the process - I certainly did. Although it’s always worth remembering that every rejection, every feedback call with a member of graduate recruitment, every written application, all eventually contribute to securing that TC. As an international student, I personally struggled with adapting to the legal system in the UK as I had only been exposed to Nigerian laws and deals my whole life. I also felt quite ‘late’ to the process as I had no knowledge of what graduate programmes or training contracts even were until the end of my first year! I must admit that all these feelings were quite overwhelming but eventually I realised that I actually appreciated the journey a whole lot more when it wasn’t particularly smooth.

Really looking forward to getting deep into the role and adding as much value as possible! Lovely to meet you all

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone!! My name is Abbie, and I am a future trainee at Reed Smith and currently on my SQE internship at the firm! I’m excited to be joining TCLA as a Community Assistant alongside the amazing @Amma Usman and @Andrei Radu, especially as TCLA was such a huge part of my training contract journey last cycle!

To share a bit about my background, I recently graduated from the University of Portsmouth and as the first in my family to go to university, I know how daunting it can be to navigate the legal application process with no prior knowledge or connections. In my first application cycle, I only made one application and was rejected after AC due to my lack of commercial awareness. This was an area that I knew I needed to develop but wasn’t sure how, which is something I’m sure many of you can relate to. This really took a hit on my confidence and I started to question whether I could secure a training contract in a commercial firm.

To build up my CV, I completed a placement year as a paralegal and worked in my university’s legal advice clinic, which were both instrumental in my training contract journey and reaffirmed that I was passionate about a career in law. Additionally, I was the runner-up in BIUCAC last year, and so I am more than happy to share any advice for those wanting to participate in commercial awareness competitions! Following these experiences (and after brushing up on my application writing technique), I started to see a lot more success in my applications. I managed to complete vacation schemes at Stephenson Harwood, Farrer & Co, and Travers Smith (from BIUCAC), and I secured my TC at Reed Smith through their direct route.

I also mentored first-year students during my final year of my degree, and I really enjoyed giving back when I had benefitted from so many wonderful mentors in the past. As I loved this experience, I knew that I wanted to apply to join TCLA to contribute to a community that assisted me so much in my journey.

Among other areas, I feel I am in a good position to answer queries on:

• Navigating the process as a Non-Russell group student, or someone from a socially mobile background.
• How to improve commercial awareness, and tips for preparing for commercial awareness competitions.
• Applying for paralegal or placement year roles, and how to write a tailored CV.
• Preparing for case study interviews and group tasks.

However, please do ask me any questions you have in relation to the application process, and I can help or direct you to the best person to assist!

My top tip for aspiring solicitors is to remember that it’s not a matter of if but when - you will find yourself at the firm that’s right for you. There’s a huge amount of support available throughout this process, especially at TCLA, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions (and truly, no question is ever too small or silly!).

I’m really looking forward to getting to know you all!