Virtual Vacation Scheme at CMS Review

I had an amazing time completing CMS' virtual Business of Law experience. There was opportunities throughout the four days to meet a range of people within the firm, from the senior partner, to trainees and everyone in between. I really appreciated the opportunity to meet such a broad range of people and have the chance to ask them questions about their experience. This, for me, was the best way to find out more about working within the firm. The organisers of the event were very approachable and attentive to our needs which made for a very positive and enjoyable experience.

I felt very valued from the very start, even before the experience has started. A welcome day prior to the experience allowed participants to ask questions and we were always kept in the loop about the experience in the run up to the first day. The effort that the Early Talent Acquisition Team put in to convert their vacation scheme into a virtual experience was very much clear from the very beginning of the experience. This showed me that the team really do value our contribution and are eager to provide us with an incredible experience.

The Early Talent Acquisition Team were always very helpful to answer any queries and address any concerns promptly. The team also provided opportunities to meet other participants such as creating a WhatsApp group chat, pairing us up to prepare for a presentation together and hosting Q&A sessions prior to the event. Throughout the entire experience there was a dedicated tech support team who we could call if we were having trouble connecting which was also very reassuring. The team were also keen to ensure we took regular breaks and they hosted various wellbeing sessions which helped everyone relax and de-stress.

I was lucky enough to have been offered a training contract after the Business of Law virtual experience. The skills I have gained in this experience will be invaluable for my future career at CMS as I now have a better understanding of the work of a trainee solicitor and how to best serve clients. The opportunity to ask a one of CMS' clients about their relationship with the firm and what they expect from legal advice provided a unique insight into what is required of a successful lawyer. There were various activities that aimed to develop specific skills such as a simulation exercise designed to enhance our time management and organisational skills, whereas the 'dragon's den' presentation was designed to improve our presentation and enhance creativity.

All participants were given a handbook which included a timetable of the programme. I found this very helpful as I knew what to expect from each day. Each session ended with a re-grouping and new sessions were always very well explained and introduced beforehand. Each day also had its own theme which I thought was very creative. This allowed participants to know what the aim of each day was. Sessions always stuck to their timetable which I really appreciated as it ensured that all sessions would be covered.

Despite the experience being completely online, the team managed to develop a really great atmosphere. This was achieved through questions at the start of each day which were designed to get to know other participants and get everyone involved. I thought that this worked very well. The team themselves are also very down-to-earth and approachable which also made for a very pleasant atmosphere. The firm really does encourage everyone to be themselves which put everyone at ease right from the start.

To me, adapting their entire vacation scheme into a quality online experience demonstrates the firm's commitment to investing in my development. They allowed us to interact with both people at various levels within the organisation and external organisations such as clients in order to fully understand the business of law. I was very impressed by the exposure to the legal market that we received. It was often said that the firm views participants as the future of the firm and this was very clear from the level of dedication and the range of opportunities to develop key skills.

As a result of the experience being completely virtual, I did miss the ability to see the office in person, however, as I have mentioned above, I was able to engage with people at various levels of the firm. By asking questions I was able to gain an insight into both the supportive culture of the firm as well as what a working day usually looks like within the firm. I also found it interesting to learn about the journey to their current position.

I believe that the culture at CMS is best reflected through the firm's people. I think that this is why one of the highlights of my week was the speed-networking session where I had the opportunity to meet people in various departments and at different levels within the firm. It is very clear that CMS has a supportive and inclusive culture which is one of the defining features of the firm. It was also clear that clients recognise and appreciate this unique culture.

I knew I wanted to be a trainee solicitor before the experience. The experience cemented this aspiration for me. After, I was offered a training contract.

Yes. As mentioned above there were opportunities to network with different people within the firm. There were also breakout rooms where I had the chance to chat to other participants which I really enjoyed. There were also opportunities to speak with current employees in smaller break out rooms which ensured that everyone who wished to ask a question could. Overall, despite it being an online experience, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of networking opportunities.

There were various opportunities to socialise, albeit virtually, via breakout rooms where there were smaller groups of participants allowing everyone to have a conversation. There were both formal and informal sessions which I enjoyed. Often there was a member of the team which provided an opportunity to ask question in a more informal setting. The creation of a WhatsApp group chat and the chat function within Zoom also allowed for interaction with other participants which I appreciated.

Yes. By speaking with various members of the team and gaining an insight into the culture of the firm I learned more about some of the opportunities to socialise outside of work and the various activities that take place.

I could not recommend this experience enough! For anyone that is on the fence or is nervous about applying, go for it! Everyone at the firm is extremely friendly and approachable which is very reassuring. Despite the experience being only 4 days compared to the usual 3 week experience, I was really surprised at how much was actually involved and it was genuinely interesting and worthwhile. The atmosphere throughout the entire experience was always very positive and was is clear that the Early Talent Acquisition Team put in such a massive effort into creating a very high quality experience.