How I Secured My PPO at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas: A Real Student Experience

This story comes from The LawCademy’s PPO Experience Segment, where we ask students to walk us through exactly how they converted an internship into a pre-placement offer, what actually made the difference, and what they’d tell a junior in their position. Advait Sharma, from the National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (Batch of 2026), shares how he secured his PPO at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas in the Project and Project Finance practice.

Tell Us About Yourself

Name: Advait Sharma

Law School + Year: The National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi, Kerala (Batch of 2026)

Firm Name: Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

Practice Area: Project and Project Finance

How Did You Earn Your PPO?

What do you think were the biggest factors that helped you secure the PPO?

The biggest factor was having the right mentorship early on. During my second year, I consciously reached out to people who had been in the profession for several years and asked them to mentor me. In law school, while seniors are helpful, they often have their own commitments. Having mentors who could honestly assess my progress, point out my weaknesses without sugarcoating them, and guide me through difficult decisions helped me avoid many beginner mistakes and improve consistently.

The second factor was being strategic about internships. I realized that law students have only a limited number of internship opportunities, so I treated them as long-term investments rather than short-term experiences. Since I did not have any professional backing, I focused on securing internships at Tier-1 firms as early as possible, knowing that these experiences would significantly improve both my learning and future opportunities.

Finally, I made a conscious effort to build genuine professional relationships with the lawyers I worked under during my internships. Instead of viewing an internship as something that ended after four weeks, I stayed in touch with my supervisors, sought feedback, and continued learning from them. Those relationships became an invaluable source of guidance throughout my journey.

Was there any particular assignment, interaction, or moment that you believe made a difference?

One conversation with my mentor during my second year completely changed the way I approached work.

I had submitted a draft that contained avoidable mistakes, and when he pointed them out, I tried to justify them by saying that I had worked on it at 3 a.m. He simply asked me, “Do you think a corporate law firm would accept that explanation? People here often work 16-hour days or more, but the expectation is still that the work is accurate.”

That conversation stayed with me.

From that day onwards, I adopted the mindset that every piece of work I prepared would eventually reach the client. Whether it was an internship assignment or a research note, I paid close attention to detail, reviewed my work multiple times, and never relied on excuses for avoidable errors.

I also realized that the corporate law journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Given the current recruitment market, not every internship leads to a callback, and not every callback results in a PPO. Accepting that reality helped me focus on what I could control, continuously improving my skills, maintaining consistency, and delivering my best work every single time. I believe that mindset ultimately played a significant role in helping me secure my PPO.

What Qualities or Skills Do Firms Value the Most?

Beyond legal knowledge, what technical and soft skills do you think contributed to your selection?

Beyond legal knowledge, I believe three skills made the biggest difference.

First, strong legal research skills. As an intern, there will be occasions when you’re given a research task with very little time-sometimes just 30 minutes to an hour. In such situations, you need to know where to look, identify the relevant law quickly, and arrive at a clear, well-supported conclusion instead of merely collecting information.

Second, active listening and communication. The person assigning work is often juggling multiple deadlines. This means you need to grasp instructions quickly, take structured notes, and, if anything is unclear, ask questions immediately. Clarifying doubts at the outset is far better than making assumptions and having to redo the work later.

Finally, developing a 360-degree approach to every assignment. Every task has an obvious question, but there are usually related issues that could also become relevant. I always tried to go one step further by researching connected provisions, recent judgments, practical implications, and possible counterarguments. When your work is reviewed, follow-up questions are common, and being able to answer them confidently demonstrates that you truly understand the issue rather than having done a superficial search.

Which of these skills can students start developing early in law school?

Students should start by building a strong foundation in the core subjects taught in law school. Be thorough with the fundamental statutes and legal principles in subjects such as Contract Law, Company Law, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Law, as these form the basis of much of the work you’ll encounter during internships.

At the same time, make it a habit to stay updated with recent legal developments in your areas of interest. Regularly following important judgments, legislative amendments, and regulatory changes not only strengthens your understanding but also enables you to have informed discussions during internships and interviews.

What Challenges Did You Face During the Internship?

Did you ever feel overwhelmed, make mistakes, or doubt your chances of getting a PPO?

Every time.

The journey to a PPO is filled with uncertainty. There were several moments when I felt overwhelmed, questioned my own performance, or wondered whether I was good enough. I made mistakes along the way, received critical feedback, and experienced the same self-doubt that most law students do. But I gradually realized that these moments are a part of the learning process. What matters is not avoiding mistakes altogether, but how you respond to them and whether you improve because of them.

How did you overcome those challenges?

I overcame these challenges by consistently seeking feedback from my mentors, seniors, and the lawyers who supervised my work during internships. Instead of treating feedback as criticism, I treated it as a roadmap for improvement. After every assignment, I made a conscious effort to understand what could have been done better and worked on those areas before my next task.

My goal was simple: if I made a mistake once, I should learn from it and ensure I never repeated it. Over time, this habit of continuously seeking feedback, reflecting on it, and implementing it helped me improve both my work quality and my confidence.

If Someone Wants a PPO, What Should They Do From Day 1?

What habits, mindset, or approach would you recommend throughout the internship?

My biggest advice is to make the most of your law school years before you even begin your internships. Explore different areas of law, participate in as many competitions as you can, whether they are moots, research paper competitions, essay writing competitions, or negotiations, and use these experiences to understand where your interests lie.

At the same time, maintain a strong GPA, as it continues to matter for many recruiters. More importantly, spend time understanding why you want to pursue corporate law and, eventually, why you want to specialize in a particular practice area. Having clarity about your motivations not only helps you make better career decisions but also reflects in your interviews and the quality of work you produce during internships.

Are there any common mistakes interns should avoid?

I wouldn’t necessarily call it a mistake, but one pattern I’ve observed repeatedly is that interns are often hesitant to ask questions when they are confused. It’s perfectly okay not to know something, you’re there to learn. However, it is not okay to submit an assignment without fully understanding what was expected of you.

Of course, try to figure out basic questions on your own first. But if you’ve made a genuine effort and are still confused about a concept or the instructions for a task, don’t hesitate to seek clarification. Asking the right question at the right time is far better than making incorrect assumptions.

Another habit I would strongly recommend is asking for feedback on your work. Constructive feedback helps you identify your strengths, understand where you need to improve, and ensures that the same mistakes are not repeated. Over time, this habit of seeking and implementing feedback can significantly accelerate your growth as an intern.

Looking Back, What Would You Do Differently?

Is there anything you wish you had known before starting your internship?

One thing I wish I had understood earlier was the importance of being presentable at all times. Your appearance is often the first impression you make, and before anyone assesses your work, they are likely to notice how professionally you carry yourself.

I would encourage students to view professional attire and grooming as an investment rather than an expense. You don’t need an expensive wardrobe, but you should have a well-fitted formal outfit, polished shoes, and maintain a neat, professional appearance. Looking presentable reflects professionalism, attention to detail, and respect for the workplace.

Any lessons that only experience taught you?

I don’t think I have a meaningful answer to this yet. I’m still early in my career and learning every day, so I’d rather not generalize from limited experience. I’ll probably have a much better perspective on this a few years down the line.

What’s One Misconception Students Have About Securing a PPO?

Is it only about working long hours or academic grades?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that working long hours and having excellent grades automatically guarantee a PPO. In reality, they are only the first layer of the process. Law firms expect interns to be hardworking, willing to put in long hours when required, and to have a strong academic record. These are often baseline expectations rather than distinguishing factors.

Beyond that, what truly matters is the quality of your work, your willingness to learn, your attitude, and your ability to build genuine professional relationships within the team. People should know you not just as someone who worked hard, but as someone who was reliable, receptive to feedback, and enjoyable to work with.

Finally, there is an element that many people overlook, timing and luck. You may do everything right and still not receive a callback or PPO due to factors beyond your control, such as hiring requirements or business needs. Don’t interpret that as a reflection of your worth. Focus on what you can control and let the rest take care of itself.

What’s the reality that people don’t usually talk about?

The reality that people don’t talk about enough is that luck and timing play a much bigger role than most students realize.

You can perform well, receive positive feedback, and still not get a PPO because of factors completely outside your control, such as hiring requirements, team budgets, or business needs. Accepting this early is important because it prevents you from tying your self-worth to a single outcome.

Once you understand that some aspects of the process are beyond your control, you can focus your energy on what is within your control: continuously improving your skills, delivering high-quality work, maintaining a positive attitude, and making the most of every opportunity. Over time, that consistency significantly increases the chances that luck will eventually work in your favour.

What Advice Would You Give to Students From Tier-2 and Tier-3 Law Schools?

How can they compete effectively despite limited exposure or opportunities?

If you’re from a college where you feel opportunities or exposure are limited, don’t think of it as a disadvantage that cannot be overcome. Instead, be intentional about creating opportunities for yourself.

First, actively participate in competitions, especially those where the rewards include internships, mentorships, or interaction with Tier-1 law firms. These competitions can become an excellent gateway to opportunities that may not otherwise be available.

Second, invest time in building meaningful relationships with people in the legal profession. Find mentors who genuinely see potential in you, are willing to assess your progress honestly, and can guide you over the long term. A strong mentor can not only help you improve but can also recommend you when the right opportunity arises. In my experience, mentorship and networking often bridge the gap that limited institutional exposure creates.

If you had to give them just one piece of advice, what would it be?

If I had to leave students with two thoughts, they would be these:

First, remember that law is a long-term profession. Don’t let one rejection, one missed internship, or one unsuccessful interview define your journey. There will always be another opportunity if you continue to improve and stay persistent.

Second, never hesitate to put in the hard work. You never know which assignment, internship, competition, or conversation will open the next door for you. Opportunities often come to those who have been consistently working hard long before anyone notices. Even if your efforts don’t pay off immediately, they are rarely wasted, they prepare you for the moment when the right opportunity finally comes.

The Bottom Line

Advait’s path to a PPO at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas wasn’t built on any single breakthrough moment. It came from consistent, deliberate choices: seeking out mentorship early, treating internships as long-term investments rather than short-term credentials, and building the habit of learning from every piece of feedback rather than letting it discourage him. His advice to Tier-2 and Tier-3 students in particular is worth sitting with: limited institutional exposure isn’t a permanent disadvantage, but it does mean you have to be more intentional about creating your own opportunities.

If you’re building toward a PPO of your own, our guide on how to make a law student CV that stands out to recruiters is a good place to start. And if you’re still deciding how to structure your internships strategically, read online vs offline internships for first-year law students.

Have your own PPO story worth sharing, or a question for our mentors? Reach out through The LawCademy’s QnA Mentorship Segment. – https://thelawcademy.in/questions/ask-a-mentor/