Vacation Scheme Review

I have previously undertaken three other similar schemes, however, I found this one by far the most enjoyable. This was because the people were so completely welcoming and friendly and because I was given such interesting (and real) work. I also appreciated the fact that I got to experience two different departments, and hear talks from each different department because this also gave me a more thorough impression of the entire firm, which if particularly useful for this sort of scheme because participants are in a way also interviewing the firm.

Throughout the scheme I felt very valued by the firm. Everyone across the firm was aware that myself and the other people on the scheme would be there and really made an effort to give us the best possible two weeks. I felt appreciated and valued because my supervisor and other solicitors also took the time to go through the work that I completed with me and to explain how they would use my work.

The support the firm offers is one of the reasons why I applied to this scheme in the first place. The first day of the scheme we received various training and guidance on how the placement would work and how to succeed. Each participant was also paired up with a trainee or another solicitor in each of the two departments we visited. This was useful as it provided us with someone who we could go to for guidance or support. We were also introduced to other trainees throughout the week which allowed us to receive support and guidance from those who had previously been in our position.

Although I have completed by degree studies the information I received during the scheme will assist me in my future career. For example, the talks the firm put on on the different departments will assist me in deciding the different seats I would like to choose when I complete my training contract in the future.

The scheme was very well structured and organised. This included planned training and talks on the first day, talks from solicitors in different departments most mornings and multiple social events. In both the departments I was placed the trainee I was paired with had also considered and prepared work to give me which was particularly useful. Within the two weeks we also undertook various assessments. These were explained thoroughly to us and were structured well throughout the two weeks.

The general atmosphere during the scheme was incredibly welcoming and friendly. Everyone across the firm in different departments and different levels really made an effort to ensure we felt welcomed and got the most out of the scheme. The firm even invited us to their annual summer party!

I felt that the firm really invested in myself and the other participants of the scheme much more than I have felt at other similar schemes. The first day of the scheme was dedicated to training, and the morning talks on different departments also existed to give us an opportunity to find out about different departments. These required lots of investment in the participants because lots of solicitors spent time away from their desks talking to us throughout the scheme. In my departments I also felt that the firm was invested in me because of the time which the solicitors I did work for were happy to spend talking to me about that work, their work or even just the firm in general.

The scheme allowed us to spend time in two different departments which was very useful to gain an overview of how different teams work in the firm. The talks the firm put on on the different departments at the firm were also particularly useful in helping us to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the firm because it enabled us to have an overview of all the different areas of work done at the firm. Another way the firm allowed us to gain an insight into working at the firm was by inviting us to the summer party because this allowed us to interact ourselves and to see the social interactions between members of staff at the firm.

The fact that we gained experience in two different departments, that we received talks from all the different departments allowed us to gain a strong insight into the company culture across the whole firm. Our invitation to the summer party was also useful in seeing how the firm interacts outside of the office in a social setting.

The scheme was incredibly useful for helping me decide my future career path because it gave me a thorough insight into what working as a solicitor in a large commercial firm is like. The scheme did this by allowing me to gain experience in two departments in the firm but also through talks given on the different departments in the firm and through the opportunity to talk to solicitors at different levels across the firm about their work.

I was paid £500 over the two weeks and received this in the week after the scheme.

There were plenty of networking opportunities offered by the scheme. There were opportunities to network with the trainees at social occasions including a quiz, an escape room, table tennis and meals out. There were also opportunities to network across the firm at several lunches and at the annual summer party.

The networking and social event opportunities were organised and attended very well. They were organised so that they did not just focus on drinking alcohol because they included fun activities such as a quiz, an escape room and table tennis. The atmosphere was very good and enabled participants of the scheme to feel comfortable socialising with those employed at the firm.

On several occasions I found out about the fundraising activities and networking activities which employees can get involved in outside of work. A solicitor who sits on the charity committee arranged a talk to discuss fundraising with the participants of the scheme. However, there was no structured explanation of any sporting or pro bono activities during the scheme.

I would definitely recommend this scheme to a friend. Having completed three other similar schemes, I feel that this is the best one that I have completed for so many reasons including how welcoming everyone is at the firm, how well organised and structured the scheme is and the quality of work which I was given.