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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Abbie Whitlock" data-source="post: 217527" data-attributes="member: 42112">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 [USER=36740]@Amma Usman[/USER] and [USER=36777]@Andrei Radu[/USER], 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:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Navigating the process as a Non-Russell group student, or someone from a socially mobile background.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How to improve commercial awareness, and tips for preparing for commercial awareness competitions.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Applying for paralegal or placement year roles, and how to write a tailored CV.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Preparing for case study interviews and group tasks.</li> </ul>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! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

Verification: Our company is called, "The Corporate ___ Academy". What is the missing word here?

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