Vacation Scheme Student Review

The scheme was great fun and interactive. The first week had the most socials and interactive work but additionally the other two weeks were great too, just in a different way. It all felt challenging but at the same time was presented in a light hearted way to try and reassure candidates. I want to do it all over again!

The final two weeks in departments were amazing as the team really welcomed me from the moment I came through the door. I quickly made friends with some of the trainees and built up relationships where I was able to approach them and ask them for help on the 'silly' questions I didn't want to ask my supervisor! My supervisor was lovely and was always joking with me - he felt more of a peer who was there supporting me than a supervisor.

There was a lot of support and guidance during the inital week as it was acknowledged that there were different students from different backgrounds so each task was thoroughly explained to us and it was made clear to us what was expected. Whilst there was support from the faculty, at the same time everyone knew they were assessing but they still had our best interest at heart. The other weeks had less guidance but that was the whole fun and point of it! It was great to be given the trust to just 'get on with it' but knowing that there were trainees and a supervisor there if you were really struggling.

The inital week was amazing in terms of developing life-long skills. I will be able to use these skills when I am training to push myself. Additionally, if I don't receive a training contract from CMS I feel that these three weeks have been a great push in the right direction and I will be able to use the information and skills I have developed in interviews etc in later life. The client meeting was the highlight - to trust vacation scheme students with large multinational clients was amazing!

The first week was structured pretty much by the second! Each day had a very strict outline and it was great because it meant that we were constantly kept busy. When we moved into departments, the structure remained but in a much more different, flexible way. The only criticism is that each department are very different - some are very busy, and some are less so which reflected in the work assigned to students. We were set tasks and told what was expected of us with notice which was really good. I liked how graduate recruitement remained by booking meetings etc with other offices during the weeks and this added more structure.

There was a very fun atmostphere during the vacation scheme. It was very clear that CMS felt that they had to sell the firm to us in addition to us confirming it is the right place for us. There was a massive effort to ensure that students were enjoying themselves, whilst simulatenously being challenged. I've made some great friends here who I hope to remain in touch with in the future.

The firm invested a great deal into us through the academy. The first week had some great experiences - the simulation, future of law panel etc. I think the scheme will be very successful in terms of investment from the firm, as I know that a lot of the vacation scheme students now feel very loyal to the firm for making such an investment in them. This was especially shown by them allowing us to run our own meetings with real clients.

I was mainly doing the same type of work trainees were, however this was only to a limited extent as I have not finished my degree or started the LPC yet so a lot of things were new to me. CMS struck a great balance between challenging me but at the same time ensuring that I knew what I was doing. The open plan office was great to be fully emersed with the company and experience other lawyers. If I ever had a free second I could hear and experience how other lawyers were working which was great.

The two weeks spent in departments were great for understanding CMS' 'true' culture, as you could actually spend time with trainees and associates outside of work and have fun with them. Additionally, the open plan office meant that you can hear conversations and is really welcoming to someone new as it's not as daunting as having to knock on an office to speak to someone!

It was valuable however as mentioned above, there was a big variation across departments over what work was available.

The pay covered my accomodation and travel card to get to the office, along with food which was sometimes even provided.

There was plenty of opportunity to network, it was all what you made of it! If you approached someone and asked to attend social events that was always encouraged. Graduate recruitement made a huge effort to ensure that there were lots of networking events which was appreciated. Unfortunately, as people are busy there wasn't always lots of trainees/supervisors there but that was no fault of CMS'!

Lots of fun - the pub quiz was great! I loved going to the rooftop bar. The musical was really fun, however would have been great if supervisors were invited as well.

We received all of the 'staff emails' which included all of the announcements of corporate social responsibility and sports that go on outside of work. This was great and we were encouraged to get involved. CMS couldn't have done more here in encouraging us to get involved. Departments were equally very welcoming and ecnouraging to ensure we got the most out of the vacation scheme. For example, I was able to go to court twice whilst in the litigation department!

Definitely!