CMS Academy Participant Review

I had a great time being part of the 2020 CMS Academy. The Talent Acquisition team was very dedicated to making sure everything ran smoothly despite the COVID-19 restrictions, and that we had all the necessary info for the programme to continue without being able to meet face to face. We had many opportunities to learn more about the firm and its position in the market, and to get to know other participants.

CMS dedicated a lot of time to making sure that every participant in the 2020 CMS Academy had their voice heard, was able to ask questions and to have a valuable contribution to all activities which formed part of the programme. Delivering the programme on Zoom at such short notice was not easy, but CMS ensured that we all had enough time to prepare and accommodated our needs to make sure we got the most out of the programme.

We were supported throughout the programme with wellness sessions and breaks to get to know each other, additional reading and Q&A sessions. The structure of the programme was very clearly outlined from the outset, and the Early Talent Acquisition team was on call to answer any questions we might have had during the week. Overall, the virtual programme was dedicated to offering participants a good understanding of CMS and its position in the legal market.

The skills I developed and information I received will help me in my future career at CMS. Meeting with clients and understanding their perspective and needs, and also getting a better understanding of CMS' business strategy and position in the legal market have formed a solid foundation for my future at the firm. While we were not allowed to meet face to face, having Zoom calls with different lawyers and other members of staff has given us a better understanding of the firm.

The structure of the programme was very clearly outlined from the outset, and we received welcome packs with timetables and an overview of other participants in the 2020 CMS Academy. Throughout the programme and also in the weeks running up to it we were kept updated on key developments and any changes in the structure of the programme were very promptly communicated. Overall, I was very impressed with how the programme was organised and delivered.

Everyone at CMS was very friendly, and the CMS Early Talent Acquisition team along with the Mind3 team were there to ensure that everything ran smoothly. We had a lot of opportunities to meet others via Zoom breakout rooms and to get to know each other. While very different from delivering this sort of programme on-site, I was overall very impressed with how it was run, the atmosphere the team had created throughout the week and the sessions delivered.

CMS clearly treats CMS Academy participants as the "future of the firm". Its dedication to ensuring that we had everything we needed in order to get the most out of the experience and that we felt supported throughout the week was very clear from the outset. I felt welcomed into the firm and part of it throughout the programme and during the weeks leading up to it. We were kept informed at all times and the structure of the programme and next steps were clearly outlined to us.

As I mentioned in the answer to a previous question, the 2020 CMS Academy is dedicated to recruiting and retaining future lawyers for the firm. I felt that I finished the programme with a good understanding of the firm and what the role of a trainee solicitor would entail. I had the opportunity to speak with many people working in various departments at CMS, and to understand their perspectives on the culture of the firm and what they like about working there.

I had the opportunity to speak with many people working in various departments at CMS, and to understand their perspectives on the culture of the firm and what they like about working there. We were split into small Zoom Breakout rooms with different members of staff who talked us through their career choices, how they find CMS and what attracted them to the firm in the first place. I felt this was a very good indication of the culture of the firm.

The content of the 2020 CMS Academy programme was very helpful in helping me to decide on my future career path. While I was sure I wanted to be a solicitor prior to joining the CMS Academy programme, the valuable insights gained during the programme, along with the friendliness and openness of everyone working at CMS have made the choice of firms easier for me. I very much look forward to joining CMS next year.

Despite the virtual experience being reduced to 4 days only, CMS paid us for the full week.

I had the opportunity to speak with many people working in various departments at CMS, and to understand their perspectives on the culture of the firm and what they like about working there. We were split into small Zoom Breakout rooms with different members of staff who talked us through their career choices, how they find CMS and what attracted them to the firm in the first place. I felt this was a very good indication of the culture of the firm.

The networking / social events opportunities were good. While of course it's impossible to replace the value of meeting other Academy participants and members of the firm face to face, I felt that in the current environment the Early Talent Team at CMS have made a great effort in ensuring that we had enough time during the Academy to get to know each other and to make sure that we continued to stay in touch if we wanted to.

Yes, there was a whole session dedicated to CMS' pro bono programmes and initiatives and its relationship with charity partners. This was very informative in understanding the relationship and also the sort of activities that employees at CMS can become involved in. We also had the opportunity to discuss this as part of other networking sessions and talks from employees of CMS which were organised for us and which I have detailed in previous answers.

Absolutely. As detailed in previous questions, I was very impressed with the programme overall and the organisation and hard work behind it. Despite the current environment, this was one of the most comprehensive programmes I have been part of. In such a short amount of time we had a great deal of opportunities to learn about the firm and what it can offer us, and as opposed to many other internships out there, the focus was on our development and understanding whether the firm was right for us.