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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Amma Usman" data-source="post: 213835" data-attributes="member: 36740">So just jumping on this with my own views -“Am happy to discuss this somewhere else, but may I ask how you shortlisted the types of firms to apply to, and how you approached it in general, as a non-law student? How did you know that you really wanted to apply to a career in commercial law, say over something like consulting or any other corporate field that non-law students students go into, if you don't mind me asking?”To answer your first point on shortlisting firms: I started by identifying what kind of work genuinely interested me. I found myself drawn to transactional work – especially private equity and M&A – through personal reading, online courses, and conversations with lawyers. But I also knew I hadn’t been as exposed to disputes, so I intentionally wanted to explore firms that were strong in both contentious and non-contentious areas. That balance really mattered to me.As for how I approached the process more generally (and this definitely applies to non-law students too): I leaned heavily on resources like online webinars, open days, coffee chats, and practice area deep-dives. A lot of key insights – about firm culture, application strategy, and even what life as a junior really looks like – aren’t always clear online. Speaking to people who were already in the industry made all the difference for me. I’d honestly say that one of the most valuable things you can do is build those conversations into your research.As someone who is both a mentor and a mentee, I can confidently say that people are one of the greatest assets you’ll have on this journey. Whether it's advice, motivation, or just clarity on next steps, talking to others – even informally – can unlock a lot of insight that isn’t obvious from the outside looking in.In terms of choosing commercial law over something like consulting: I didn’t always know. Like many others, I tried different things – finance, consulting, even marketing and branding – before I truly felt committed to law. And that exploration became part of my story. Law firms, I’ve found, really appreciate that honest reflection on why you chose this path and how your experiences shaped it.Let me know if you want to chat further or would like help navigating any part of the process – happy to help!</blockquote>

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

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