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MY ADVICE TO FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS 

• Before I begin this, I have linked our first-year schemes deadlines tracker here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/first-year-scheme-deadlines-2024-25.9090/
• Notice how I didn’t specify law, or non-law first years. This is because over the years, firms are increasingly opening up their first year schemes to both law and non-law students in their first year. Typically, this was first year law and second year non-law students. Check the eligibility criteria before applying to be sure.
• These schemes are quite beneficial. They range from anything between two days, to a week. There are also insight days, which usually run over a day.
• The best way to get an insight into the profession, is by speaking to the people who work there. Such schemes accommodate for that through panel or networking sessions with trainees and lawyers.
• Through the networking sessions, you build your public speaking skills, how to interact in a professional setting, and your overall confidence - which will help in applications for VS’ and TCs.
• You get an insight into the application process; what commercial law firms look for; practice areas, and so on. You get to deduce what you like, but appreciate also that no one expects you to know what you want to qualify into at this stage.
• It shows proactivity - firms will be able to see the effort you put into learning more about the profession early on. NB: first year schemes are not the only way to show this - open days or other experiences do that as well.
• Fast-tracked - some firms fast-track candidates on their FYS for VS or TC assessment centres/ interviews.