Vacation Scheme Student Review

I very much enjoyed the vacation scheme at Linklaters. It was both highly informative and challenging. We were made to feel very welcome, provided with lots of support during the scheme and left with the skills and knowledge to make the best of an upcoming training contract job interview. The social events were particularly enjoyable, with a nice variety of events from painting as a group, to table tennis and drinks. I would recommend the scheme to anyone seriously interested in commercial law in the City.

I felt very valued during my scheme. I was assigned a trainee buddy and a supervisor who both spent lots of time with me showing me around, introducing me to new people and explaining complex aspects of their work to me. We were given lots of tailored talks and taken on lots of social and team building events. A considerable amount of money must have been spent on each of us, which reflects well the investment and value they placed in us. Partners and other high-level employees were more than happy to spend time with me answering all my questions.

I received a great deal of advice and support during my vacation scheme at Linklaters. As a group, we attended many sessions which were designed to familiarise ourselves with the way things worked at the firm. I was assigned a trainee buddy who helped find me work, introduce me to new people and provide an insight to life as a trainee at the firm. I was also assigned a principal who acted as a supervisor and primary source of work. My principal was always happy to answer any quesitons I had and spend time giving me a good deal of context to the work I was set. We received a lot of support from the graduate recruitment team, who were always available to answer questions.

The skills and knowledge developed included confidence, teamwork, use of internal computer and research systems, and industry/sector/practice area specific knowledge. We engaged in group presentations to mimic a pitch exercise common in the legal market, a case study to enhance our practical application of the law and various other activities. The research skills learnt will help in further education and the LPC. The other skills mentioned will help me transition from academic work into practice, giving me the confidence derived from experience.

The vacation scheme was well structured. The social events were well-timed to allow people leaving half way through to catch trains back home and fit around the work we had to do for our principals. The group sessions, again, were well timed to fit around our various commitments. They usually came before or after group practice area talks so little time was wasted waiting for people to arrive from across the building. The two weeks was a bit short, though that is the standard scheme length across the industry. My only complaint regarding structure was the fact it happened during, or just before the easter break. This meant that little work was available and many individuals were away from the office on holiday.

The atmosphere was great! This made the whole experience very pleasant and not at all as awkward as might have been expected at a large corporate law firm. My fellow vacation schemers were all very friendly and no one was competitive to the detriment of good teamwork and cohesion. The graduate recruitment team played a huge part in creating a fun, challenging and interesting environment to keep us all engaged. They told us right from the beginning that there were jobs available for us all and that we didn't need to be in competition with one another. This set the tone for the whole scheme and everyone was able to get along well together without so much pressure that there weer limited jobs to fight over.

Linklaters and the graduate recruitment team invested a lot in our development and training during the two week scheme. They arranged several practice area talks to give us an idea of what the firm did, as well as hosting several sessions on interview and application advice. There was training in use of the IT systems and the opportunity to attend the same training sessions as the firm's trainees and other lawyers.

The two week scheme provided a very helpful insight into what a full time role at Linklaters would be like. We were able to work with current employees and socialise with them outside of work, giving us the opportunity to see what they did and ask questions in an informal setting where candid answers were more likely to be given. The work set by our principals and trainee buddies was real work for real current clients. As such it was an excellent insight.

The scheme provided an excellent insight into the culture present at Linklaters. We continuously heard about the "Linklaters way" while on the scheme, and what this was became apparent very early. The firm is an incredibly friendly and supportive place to work. There is a genuine, and literal open door policy where colleagues stop by for a quick chat or to congratulate a team member on some good work or the closing of a deal. A notable example is when the 10th floor lead banking partner got everyone out of their offices to give a speech on one of the associates who was getting married later that week.

I was already pretty certain on the path I wanted to take in my career on arrival at the firm. However, the two week vacation scheme at Linklaters confirmed that my plans were definitely what I wanted. They also confirmed that this was definitely the firm I wanted to work for. I was motivated to pursue my goals with more vigour.

Linklaters are very generous in their reimbursement of the time students give up to be on this scheme. I think most would agree that not being paid would not put them off attending. However, Linklaters paid each student £400 per week, as well as covering the accommodation costs of students that met the criteria (receiving student loans during university) up to the amount of £700 for the two week scheme. Aside from this we were given a lot of free food, treated to many great social events, and they have free hot chocolate machines on each floor!

During the two week vacation scheme at Linklaters there were many structured opportunities to meet, network and socialise with other employees of the firm, as well as the firm's partners. We went for a dinner with some of the partners, which provided an excellent opportunity to speak to them in a more informal setting and see what they were like as people. We were taken on many other social events where we got to meet current trainees and get their take on the firm as a place to work. There was also the opportunity to contact whoever you wanted during your scheme using the internal email system. I met up with associates and managing associates in practice areas I was not exposed to but wanted to learn more about. Many of the firm's employees were more than accommodating of this.

The networking and social event opportunities were great. There was a lot of drinking involved, which is not for everyone, but equally, there were other options such as soft drinks available. One of the events was a table tennis bar in central London. This was a lot of fun. It involved a tournament in teams of two. It was great to see people working together in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere. Other events included restaurants and bars, as well as a canvas painting class.

Yes. During my scheme, we had several structured talks from various senior members of the firm. They went through various options open to employees that they can get involved with outside of work. One option available is helping with the firm's pro bono work, often representing financially struggling individuals for free. There was a gym, and various sports clubs to get involved with outside of work. This makes the firm a great and balanced place to work.

Yes. Absolutely. If they are looking for a genuine insight into the life of a commercial lawyer at a world renowned law firm, then this insight scheme was definitely very helpful. I think they would benefit, just like we all did, from the information available and the multiple opportunities to meet new people and forge working relationships prior to beginning their career. If they just want to have fun, then it is still a fantastic scheme.