Insight Programme Participant Review

I had a fantastic two weeks on the insight programme. 'Big city law' can be a daunting thought for many students, however, all of the CMS staff I met were warm and welcoming. We were trained on various topics, conducted research, got to know the firm and its staff, got active during our RBSI day, and I attended a couple employment law events where I was introduced to clients.

I developed my networking skills. On a programme like this you meet so many people across the two offices - students, staff, lawyers, clients - I kept a list of the people I met and got on with and added them on Linked In to create a connection. My first experience like this, it was all new and I loved it. Public speaking skills too - with every experience you become more comfortable with it.

We were excited by it. It is clear CMS is a firm that students want to be apart of, be it the offices, the size, the clients, but I think what really excited us was how we were treated. Almost daily, between ourselves we had the 'how much money is this costing them?' debate - the lengths CMS went to and the thought they put into the programme exceeded expectations and made us feel invested in.

CMS benefit from a positive work culture. The firm has various networks available to support its staff and clearly have an attitude to continuous development across the board. Something a large firm can benefit from is the ability to think about how to best support its lawyers and its staff, CMS do not sleep on this. The atmosphere is both GLA/EDI offices was warm and welcoming, they all took an interest in us.

It surpassed all expectations. I met great people within the firm and I am still in contact with many of the other friends I made on the programme. My network has doubled - a firm that big with the reputation it has, even associating your name to it is worthwhile. It was nice to see life at a city firm whilst being a student too, I have worked on the high street, there is motivation at both ends.

Yes

Be authentic. For the application questions, don't get stressed about what sounds the best, think about being creative, competent and show a degree of personality. The Watson Glaser, it is an aptitude test, so relax and watch your time. Don't worry about preparation. Interview, be authentic. Prepare your notes, do your homework, but be you. If you are going to fail, fail being yourself. You have gotten this far, you're clever and capable, all they really want to know is - can you talk to people, do you have a wee bit about you, and are you someone that they could work with.