Springboard Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the springboard scheme with CC, it was a great opportunity to learn about life in a magic circle firm. The scheme was structured so to learn more about the different practice areas within the firm and gain a better understanding of life as a trainee. It was the perfect balance of informative and entertaining, with social events planned for all the springboard students. I was not only lucky enough to meet some great people on the scheme, but was offered a training contract after my follow-up interview. I would highly recommend those interested in a career in commercial law to apply for the springboard scheme.

Every student on the scheme was equally impressed by the effort of the graduate recruitment team to ensure everyone was comfortable and enjoying the scheme. The trip to the Paris office was such a great day and everyone was able to get to know each other even more.

We were given every opportunity to ask questions when confused about something and the networking sessions allowed us to understand what the firm had to offer. The ability to question trainees and partners about life at the firm was invaluable and their honest and candid answers meant that I walked away with a true understanding of what a career in commercial law entailed.

The seminars on the different practice areas within the firm were lead by partners and entailed detailed information about what it actually means to practice law in the commercial world. It was interesting to break down the mystery I think exists in 'commercial awareness' and gain a practical understanding of what I had learnt in university so far. I think this was the part of the scheme that I found most useful in my application for the training contract, it allowed me to apply myself practically to the firm.

The graduate recruitment team were always on hand to answer any questions throughout the week. The seminars on the different practice areas, the daily networking scenarios and evening social events meant that you every hour of your day was well planned and organised.

I was quite nervous to start the scheme, not knowing what to expect and unsure if I would fit in with the other students. I felt at ease almost immediately. Having met the other students on the scheme, many of whom I'm still friendly with now, it was clear to me that everyone felt the same way. What made the atmosphere at the insight great for me was that there were no sale pitches or week long interview sessions but an opportunity to understand what the firm had to offer me as a potential trainee and whether I could see myself working there in the future.

The graduate recruitment team really did spend a lot of time, effort and I expect money ensuring that the week long insight was action-packed with social events and useful in getting to know the firm. Daily luncheons and networking events as well as an all expense paid trip to Paris with personalised gifts were just a few of the things that were laid out to each student to ensure there were no worries during the scheme. The firm had organised seminars by business development teams and a commercial coach on interview skills and perception which were useful and instructive in understanding how you come across during meetings. It was clear from the effort that was put in that the graduate team were interested in our development as potential trainees.

The scheme really did break down terms in legal applications which cause confusion like 'commercial awareness'. It was something I wasn't expecting from the scheme but was definitely the most useful going forward in my application with CC. Having the daily opportunity to ask any question during networking sessions at breakfast and lunch was invaluable. Trainees were able to offer first-hand advice on applications and more importantly, what the job entailed in terms of work, hours and a social life. Their candid answers painted a real picture about the reality of a career in the law which is something I appreciated a lot.

I was expecting to find a certain personality within the trainees at CC, I was pleasantly surprised to find that everyone was very different. I think there's a certain stigma surrounding London law firms that successful candidates come from the same background or university but I was more interested in CC as a firm when I found that this was not the case. The only similar trait that everyone had was that they were academic individuals who wanted to work at CC. The variety in personalities and backgrounds made for interesting conversations with partners and trainees. Many partners that I spoke to explained to me that they had spent their entire careers at CC, this was something that stuck with me because it spoke volumes about how the firm valued individuals.

Extremely useful, the springboard scheme led to a follow-up interview and a final application form after which I was lucky enough to be offered a training contract for 2020. This was an unbelievable opportunity to structure my career with 2 years remaining in university. Many of those I was on the scheme with were also offered placements and the firm has been great in remaining in contact and ensuring social events for all successful applicants.

We were paid and reimbursed for travel and accommodation costs as well as an all-expense trip to the Paris office and various personalised gifts throughout the week.

We had daily networking events at breakfast and lunch as well as social events planned for the evenings. Partners and trainees would mix with springboard students and make themselves available to answer questions we had about the firm in trying to decide if the training contract was something we could see ourselves applying for.

The events were laid back and informal, which took away some of the nerves at the beginning of the week having not been placed in similar networking situations before. All the trainees were open and honest about the application process and the tough reality of life as a trainee. What I valued most was that there was no sales pitch and I felt comfortable enough to be myself and ask any questions that I had.

The evening social events were planned by the graduate team and it gave us the opportunity to socialise with the current trainees outside of the office. The meals and drinks provided by firm were a great chance to get to know each other more and find out whether a social life is possible in commercial law. Most memorably we had a CC ping pong tournament where trainees were mixed in teams with students.

Absolutely. Not only was I lucky enough to gain an understanding of what a career in commercial law entails but I was also eventually offered exactly that. I was unsure about what to expect, I was nervous and I wasn't sure if I'd fit in at a London magic circle firm but I was very glad to be wrong and I think more people should apply to the scheme to understand if a career in commercial law is something that they could enjoy.