Hello,
I am due to start my first year of university at Exeter for law next month, what can I do to improve my CV or likelihood of getting a training contract in my first year? My knowledge regarding what I can and can’t do is very limited so any information of what to do in my first year would be highly appreciated.
Hello!
Congratulations on getting into Exeter! First year is a really great time to explore without too much pressure. As 3000to1shoteverytime mentioned, there are not many first-year schemes available, so you won't necessarily have to start applying for these things straight away. I would focus on the following things (if I could go back and do it again!):
- Joining Societies - I would absolutely join the Law Society and any others that interest you. Even beyond the networking and insight events that they will run, it's so important to meet a lot of people in your first year and try out new things!
- Open Days - I would try and attend open days at firms that you feel you may be interested in, so that you are able to refine the list of firms to apply to in the following years. It will also give you experiences and insights to draw from when you do make applications eventually, and this will really strengthen your application. If you search on TCLA, there are tons of advice on how to approach Open Day applications and information on law firms to tailor your applications.
- Build Transferable Skills - if you can juggle it alongside your studies, I would get a part-time job or volunteering role to start building transferable skills. This could even be a position of responsibility in one of the societies you join - I was on the Motorsport Society Committee during university, and this always came up in interviews!
- Stay Engaged Academically - whilst it is not the end of the world if you don't achieve the grades you would like in first year, it will be really beneficial to your applications if you do have strong grades!
In short: get involved, try new things, and don't stress about TCs just yet! It is a really great sign that you are already asking these questions, and you are clearly very motivated and will do well. Speaking from my own experiences, I didn't attend any open days/insight events in my first year, and only applied for one vacation scheme in my second year; however, I have just graduated with a TC offer. Whilst it may not feel like it, you are definitely thinking ahead of the majority of students. Wishing you the best, and I hope you enjoy freshers!
