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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Abbie Whitlock" data-source="post: 248027" data-attributes="member: 42112">Hi!My top tip (based on my feedback post-VS) would be to be as engaged as possible throughout the scheme.Ask lots of questions - not just about the task that you have been set, but about the wider deal, the client, and why certain decisions are being made. That shows curiosity in the work and how it fits into the wider picture, and demonstrates that you are genuinely interested. On my vacation scheme, I think I was worried that asking too many questions would look like I didn't know how to do the work - this isn't the case at all, and I'd just try to learn as much as you can through the tasks!Additionally, I'd make an effort to speak to people in departments that you are interested in, even if you are not sitting with them. This doesn't necessarily have to be a partner or senior associate either - I was particularly interested in the Rail department at Stephenson Harwood, and I had a really lovely chat with a solicitor apprentice in the team who gave me great insights that I could speak about in my interview! Try to have lunch or grab a coffee with your supervisor(s) at some point during the scheme too, if you can! Take the time to ask about their career path, why they chose the firm, and what they enjoy or find challenging. This builds rapport and shows that: (a) you'd be a good person to work with, and (b) that you are genuinely interested in learning about the firm and why people were drawn to it.I would also:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Be proactive about asking for work (without being pushy). If you finish something early, just let people know that you have capacity. Sometimes you can get work from people in the wider team, rather than just from your supervisor!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Actively ask for feedback on the tasks that you complete, and make sure that you actually implement it throughout the week.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Before asking your supervisor a question, make sure to have a go at looking for the answer using all available resources first! This way, if you can't find the answer, you can briefly outline the steps you took to find the answer when you ask your supervisor, and it shows that you have been proactive.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Stay positive and professional at all times - a vacation scheme can be very tiring, but remember that you have to make the best impression in a short amount of time (so try to power through!).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Support the other vac schemers rather than seeing them as competition - the graduate recruitment team will notice these things, and it won't reflect well if you are being overly competitive at all times.</li> </ul>Ultimately, lots of different factors go into conversion so it can be difficult to plan every step in advance. However, it comes down to: would people be happy to work with you for two years, and do you have a genuine interest in the firm and its work? If you are engaged, reliable, curious, and easy to work with, that helps put yourself in the best position to convert.Best of luck!! <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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