Winter Vacation Scheme Student Review

I have undertaken a vacation scheme before and I have two years paralegal experience in addition to multiple training contract assessment centres and I have learnt that the best way to begin a career as a solicitor is to undertake a vacation scheme because of the degree of insight I will obtain about the firm. I have really enjoyed my time during the winter vacation scheme and it feels like I have been here longer than a week. I had the opportunity to meet many people in an open plan office environment which felt truly non-hierarchical which I really appreciated.

I felt valued because the scheme was very well structured and I had an enormous amount of contact time with Partners and Associates of the firm. I was well taken care of during socials and during group tasks by the head trainee and recruitment team. I appreciated the level of contact the recruitment staff had with me who frequently checked in on me during my day to day working life.

I greatly appreciated the guidance that the trainees and newly qualified solicitors had to offer with respect to how each department functioned and the commercial realities of the legal industry.

I know for certain that in order for me to attain my long held goal which is to obtain a training contract I will need to undertake additional vacation schemes to understand if the firm is right for me and to persuade the firm that I am right for them.

The structure was decent although it was re-organised at relatively short notice at the start of the week which was disconcerting. That being said there was plenty of time afforded between assessment timeframes and interviews

The atmosphere was refreshingly pleasant and every person I met was friendly, humourous and in many situations, quite kind. I was given good quality work to do ranging from drafting to research as well as the opportunity to put many of my questions to the fee earners who willingly gave their time to us.

I was afforded up to 10 minutes of training for a task that would take me 30 minutes which demonstrated the proportion of time and energy the firm was willing to make in me as a humble vacation scheme candidate.

I obtained more insight into the firm as a result of my placement than I would if I were to come to the recruitment procedure as an external applicant.

The combination of socials, group tasks and department work was essential for me to understand the culture of the company. I learnt that the company is non-hierarchical, internationally focused and nationally based in equal measure which is very unusual when compared to other large international law firms. I did not feel undervalued and pigeon holed and I was treated with respect throughout.

I admit I was flagging when it came to continuing to pursue a career as a lawyer at the time of making this vac scheme application but my experience has emboldened my resolve to follow my vocation that I have had since I was 16 years old.

The pay more than covered my travel expenses which is all that mattered to me.

The opportunities to network were prolific and enjoyable.

The week was brief and there are less socials during a winter vac scheme than there are during summer vacation scheme but nonetheless enjoyable. I have made some new friends who are my fellow vac schemers and regardless of the outcome of this experience I hope to keep in touch with them.

Yes. Every fee earner provided a breakdown of the extra curricular activities they and their department undertake which was very engaging. In particular I welcome the time when I can throw myself in the extra curricular life of the firm.

I cannot stress enough the importance of undertaking a vacation scheme as a method of obtaining a successful result in the training contract search.