Ashour's Journey to a TC

[Mohamed Ashour]

Ashour's Journey to a TC

I'm glad to be joining TCLA today and Kick start my plan to a TC as of today
I'll be applying to NRF, CMS and Ashurst with the latter being my first choice
I planned my application and chose deadlines to each app
NRF = 10th of NOV
CMS= 25th of NOV
Ashurst= 15th of DEC
in the coming week I'll kick off with VEs and TCLA courses and how to write a proper application....

Thanks TCLA on the encouragement to take such step!

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

In order to stay accountable along the road, I've decided to break each day into a set of goals.
tomorrow at the end of the day I should finish the next:
1-pick a news a story and analyze it in the energy section.
2-start and finish Ashurst Virtual experience (energy & infrastructure).
3- kick off a TCLA course.
I'd be glad if anyone noticed and wish to throw an advice of any kind I'm also open to criticism!

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

Hello again!
to sum up today;
1-I did finish that VE from Ashurst
2-I read about Octobus energy group made a joint venture a long with an italian firm called Nexta on developing an onshore wind and solar farms by 2025. OEDP being advised on other two deals by Ashurst on another two deals in renewable energy situated in both Germany and the UK, is something that Ashurst should build on as Europe gets sober from Russian Fossil fuel, the Energy sector is getting revambed and reshabed and a new play ground is avaliable for firms such as Ashurst who posses a strong Energy Team.( this needs to be further researched and to be discipline)
3- I started the TCLA course on Law frims guide which is neatly organized and a great resource and tool for research but I couldn't resist being overwhelmed, being an international applicant with about no advantage whatsoever except my skills(which needs to be developed) is a heavy burden itself.....

but I believe this is rock bottom and only one way to go....

for tomorrow I should:
1- complete the rest of that course.
2- do another VE from Ashurst.
3-discover more leads on that story and how the energy sector is being reshaped.

Still open for any criticism!

 

[Orla]

Well done @Mohamed Ashour for laying out your goals and sticking to them - it's fantastic to see your organisation and dedication. Your approach to improving your commercial awareness by critically analysing news stories is great, and has clearly benefitted your ability to contextualise deals within wider macroeconomic trends. Keep it up! 👏

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

Well done @Mohamed Ashour for laying out your goals and sticking to them - it's fantastic to see your organisation and dedication. Your approach to improving your commercial awareness by critically analysing news stories is great, and has clearly benefitted your ability to contextualise deals within wider macroeconomic trends. Keep it up! 👏

@Orla You have no idea how I appreciate these words, It would only give me a boost to keep going. one day I'll repay these words to someone else in my position. Thanks!!

Back to my daily goals;

1- I finished 20% of the law firms profiles course; the course showed how I should approach my research and how to choose law firms (wildly different form anything I used to do) I thought I would only need to look for the firms that I initialy wanted to apply for but that is seems unwise and fooly now, a change in strategy is now needed.

2-started the Ashurst advance VE as I'm attending tomorrow's Legal cheek "legal tech and operations Virtual Fair". I don't wish to join LPM (Legal Project management) but the case is that I didn't know that before as I didn't understand their role before, plus I'm supposed to work with them closely in the near future (I hope so) in that case I must understand their duties and what are their core objectives, preparation is needed and I shouldn't miss any opportunity to meet these firms!

3-unfortunately I wan't able to research more on Energy today, but such things are to be expected and I should be able to do it tomorrow.

for tomorrow I should;

1-mostly it shall be preparation for the Virtual fair, complete as much as possible from that VE form Ashurst and research other firms Tech arms. my priority goes for research and preparing questions!
2-the change in strategy means I should be more objective and out a proper list of firms and compare according to facts and figures not Practice areas alone as before
3-Pickup on that Energy story and write and article by the end of the week.

Thanks for your Support and amazing content TCLA and again I'm open for any criticism or advice!

 

[Orla]

Well done on your progress through the law firm profiles course! How did you find the virtual fair today?

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

Did you attend the Fair?

For me it was insightful and succesful; I came with one purpose which is to understand what they do and would that kind of work appeal to me?
And I got my answer, after attending and reading on LPM, as I'm interested in tech and how it's applied to the legal sector (I also have my share of experinece with digital transformation).
I found that they are sepereted from the commercial side which is the main appeal for me to apply to international law firms. also I know have a better understanding of what exactly is their job and how do they intersect with the legal team.

and what is your take on LPM after all you're a trainee, does this kind of work appeal to you?

 

[Jaysen]

Ashour's Journey to a TC

I'm glad to be joining TCLA today and Kick start my plan to a TC as of today
I'll be applying to NRF, CMS and Ashurst with the latter being my first choice
I planned my application and chose deadlines to each app
NRF = 10th of NOV
CMS= 25th of NOV
Ashurst= 15th of DEC
in the coming week I'll kick off with VEs and TCLA courses and how to write a proper application....

Thanks TCLA on the encouragement to take such step!

Well done for setting clear goals and being consistent with your updates @Mohamed Ashour. This is a great example of writing quick updates to stay accountable to your own goals. I look forward to seeing how you progress.

As an international applicant, you may also find this document we put together helpful.

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

On my daily goals...

1-I did follow up on the on the Octobus energy group and found more of that kind of investments across Eurpoe even north Africa with another company Xlinks, but how far Ashurst is involved in such deals that is always vague to me when comes to Law firms clients in general...but still need to keep digging.

2-Changed my strategy, used TCLA law firms research grid in order to have a better veiw and it's kind of eye opening tbh

as for lessons learned; writing my goals on the forum does have another feel to it, reminds you of a deadline approaching and that kind of good stress that keep you going. but I nead to articulate better and more defined set of goals on a daily and weekly basis. rather than "try" or as much as possible

for tomorrow;
1-I need an action plan that would enable me better use my resources on TCLA, that envolves taking note of the courses and which do I need most, and where to start, there is much needed knowledge needed to further my goals.
2-prepare questions for Ashurst's "life in a global law firm"and try to get the most out the event; questions should span; training, culture and whatever I find out later))
3-read Watson's daily (is that a good commercial awarness resource?)
4-follow up on the clean energy firm story and investments.


Any piece of advice?

 

[Jaysen]

On my daily goals...

1-I did follow up on the on the Octobus energy group and found more of that kind of investments across Eurpoe even north Africa with another company Xlinks, but how far Ashurst is involved in such deals that is always vague to me when comes to Law firms clients in general...but still need to keep digging.

2-Changed my strategy, used TCLA law firms research grid in order to have a better veiw and it's kind of eye opening tbh

as for lessons learned; writing my goals on the forum does have another feel to it, reminds you of a deadline approaching and that kind of good stress that keep you going. but I nead to articulate better and more defined set of goals on a daily and weekly basis. rather than "try" or as much as possible

for tomorrow;
1-I need an action plan that would enable me better use my resources on TCLA, that envolves taking note of the courses and which do I need most, and where to start, there is much needed knowledge needed to further my goals.
2-prepare questions for Ashurst's "life in a global law firm"and try to get the most out the event; questions should span; training, culture and whatever I find out later))
3-read Watson's daily (is that a good commercial awarness resource?)
4-follow up on the clean energy firm story and investments.


Any piece of advice?

Hi Mohamed,

Just a quick thought on how to set goals. You may have heard of SMART goals, which I find is a good starting point. This stands for:

S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Achievable
R - Relevant
T - Time-Bound

To improve on the goal setting, you may want to consider: what is something specific I want to achieve? How am I going to measure the 'success' of this goal? What is the time frame I want to achieve this in?

It can also be overwhelming to consider the range of directions to take to secure a training contract. One thing I like to ask applicants is: What is one step you can take to move you the closest to your goal? In many cases for applicants right now, my view is that they should focus on writing applications rather than trying to cover too much.

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

A review on my daily goals;

1-I attended the Legal cheek/Ashurst event, it was insightful, overwhelming as always and eye opening in the sense that I have a better understanding of how a firm like Ashurst work in an international scene and what does the trainees do. and how much responsiblity they get.
2-I read watson's daily becuase it's way cheaper than FT and the economist...
3-I didn't do the action plan yet
4-nor I did follow on that stroy.

the goals I didn't reach was due to factors that I didn't into acount......

For tomorrow I should by the end of the day accomplished the next;

1-Using the S.M.A.R.T method I shall put down an action plan with a single aim; to get closer to my T.C
2-Read watson's daily

@Jaysen Many thanks for the File on international students very useful! and your encouragment and emails even before I got here just incredible..
But I have quite a problem and I'd like your take on it if you will, I have many experiences in many areas; I worked as a project manager in our family buisness, went to the army for one year, particapted in a couple Virtual Vacation schemes and bright network events, but I'm missing the connection between these expeiences and the firms I'm applying to, what should I do form here? should keep researching or start writing down applications and do research right away?
Maybe I should take a week to get aqcuianted with some TCLA's courses like M&A bootcamp?

Would love to hear your feedback on this!
and anyone who would to like hop in , I would be Grateful!

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

Hello again!

So here is my action my plan according to S.M.A.R.T;

by the end of the month I should finish sending applications to CMS(25th of november) and NRF(15th of november) so every step builds towards this goal and to better serve it;

1-on saturday and sunday I shall finish TCLA course "write law firm applications that lead to interviews" and law firms profiles
commiting 2.25 hours per day from 7 a.m to 10 a.m (sessions about 45 min long)
2-30 min for watson's galcer training.
3- 30 min for commercial awarness
4-on 31th of october i shall begin writing applications to NRF with 2.25 hours on the matter on a daily basis until 10th of november.

this is a an experimantal plan, further adjustments shall be expected until we begin on Saturday!

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

Hi there!


Today I met my goals!

1. 30 min for watson glacers.
2. 30 min for commercial awarness!
3. spent 2.25 on the said course and it was as usual eye opening. finished 25%

• this was my first watson glacer test(failed) it doesn't make anysense, my choices were legitmate and reasonable to me but I'll keep practicing. also I found out that more time than I thought to structure my commercial awearness and that means I need to commit more time daily.
• 25% isn't enough on the course but it raised many important questions that I need to conemplate further such why law? and why commercial? "dig deep" he siad.

Tomorrows goals are the same as today but I'll commit another 30 mins to commercial awarness

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

Hi there!
Again reaching my goals;

1-30 min for Watson glacers test
2-1H for commercial awareness
3-2.25 h and finished 60% of on writing good application course

 

[AvniD]

It's so wonderful to see you consistently updating your goals here @Mohamed Ashour! It's genuinely so impressive! 👏👏👏

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

Heartfelt @AvniD

Today I decided after some Reading other threads, taking courses and listening to @Jaysen, I would ditch my original plan to apply to only the 3 firms I planned for,
but I'll apply to 8 different law firms across the next 2 month with deadlines I set for myself.
of course this risks my quality, that's why I'll be doing TCLA courses parellel to my applications as sort of guidlines rather than taking the whole course all at once and learning through "trial by fire".

Deadlines:

1. Taylor Wessing 7/11
2. Freshfields 15/11
3. Linklaters 22/11
4. Allen & overy 28/11
5. CMS 5/12
6. Ashurst 10/12
7. Clyde&co 15/12
8. NRF 5/1

I'd still commit;

• 30 mins for Watson glacers
• 1 hour to commercial awarness

Thanks everyone for your support!

 

[Jaysen]

A review on my daily goals;

1-I attended the Legal cheek/Ashurst event, it was insightful, overwhelming as always and eye opening in the sense that I have a better understanding of how a firm like Ashurst work in an international scene and what does the trainees do. and how much responsiblity they get.
2-I read watson's daily becuase it's way cheaper than FT and the economist...
3-I didn't do the action plan yet
4-nor I did follow on that stroy.

the goals I didn't reach was due to factors that I didn't into acount......

For tomorrow I should by the end of the day accomplished the next;

1-Using the S.M.A.R.T method I shall put down an action plan with a single aim; to get closer to my T.C
2-Read watson's daily

@Jaysen Many thanks for the File on international students very useful! and your encouragment and emails even before I got here just incredible..
But I have quite a problem and I'd like your take on it if you will, I have many experiences in many areas; I worked as a project manager in our family buisness, went to the army for one year, particapted in a couple Virtual Vacation schemes and bright network events, but I'm missing the connection between these expeiences and the firms I'm applying to, what should I do form here? should keep researching or start writing down applications and do research right away?
Maybe I should take a week to get aqcuianted with some TCLA's courses like M&A bootcamp?

Would love to hear your feedback on this!
and anyone who would to like hop in , I would be Grateful!

Hi @Mohamed Ashour,

Really impressed to see how much clearer your goals are. With regard to writing more applications, that is my general view - given how competitive this process is, it makes sense to write as many applications as you can to the firms you are interested in. Quality comes from quantity here: the more applications you write, the better you will learn how to communicate your motivations and sell your experiences.

It's also a result of the competitiveness of the process. As much as it sounds logical to focus on a few quality applications, it's also true that applicants will be rejected by most law firms they apply to. By writing more applications, you increase your chances of receiving that one offer.

I agree with your latest approach to avoid working through the courses all at once - there are often diminishing returns to consuming more content, when your time could be better spent writing applications. My view would be to focus the vast majority of your time on your applications. You can then skim through the courses as and when it's useful to you.

Finally, regarding connecting your experiences to the law firms you are applying to, I think this will become more obvious in time as you work on your motivations and the differences between law firms. As you research a law firm, think about why you are drawn to that particular firm. This is a great thread for further ideas.

At the moment, those experiences you mention are very broad and could lead you to be interested in any law firm. Based on your experiences, consider what you are looking for in a firm - a more entrepreneurial environment? A particular specialism? A firm that takes diversity seriously in its recruitment?

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

Can't thank you enough for your Support @Jaysen

Today I started working on my app for Taylor Wessing.

• Started Doing research on the firm and I'll keep doing that tomorrow until I finish the list. and now I have a better idea how to do it thanks for
• Done my Hour on Commercial awareness and started to form a better view on the current affairs.
• Didn't do the intended 30 min on Watson glacers.

Tomorrow I should.

1. Finish Taylor Wessing research.
2. attend Watson's weekly round up
3. do my 30 mins on Watson galcers.

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

For some reasons I couldn't reach my goals, also my goals were UN S.M.A.R.T wise so redrafting my goals again;

3 days until I submit Taylor Wessing app.
day 1

• Finish the research before 11 am tomorrow. begins at 7:30 am
• from 1pm to 4 I should draft an Answer for "why commercial law" in order to prepare for MY 1-2-1 call.
• then after the call I should write down whatever I learned from the call and build on it.
• commercial awareness from 6:30 till 7:15
• 30 minutes for Watson glacer again...

 

[Mohamed Ashour]

2 days until I submit my Taylor Wessing.

1. I finished Taylor Wessing research!
2. done my hour of commercial awareness
3. 20 min of Watson Glacers.
4. had the best 15 min call with @Jessica Booker! Many thanks!!

Tomorrow!

1. Finish drafting "why commercial law" before 11 am tomorrow
2. Finish the work experience section of the application. (competency)