Vacation Scheme Review

I honestly had a really amazing time on my vacation scheme. Everyone in the firm was really kind and welcoming, especially all of the current trainees who helped us understand what life at the firm would be like. The work was challenging but that made it interesting and kept me occupied.

The firm had obviously put a lot of effect into the vacation scheme. The talent team did an incredible job of making sure the time ran smoothly and that we knew what we were doing. Everyone at the firm was more than happy to spend time with you to answer whatever questions we had.

Unfortunately, my first seat was in a very busy department. This meant that I didn't manage to have a meaningful conversation with my supervisor until the last day of that seat. When I spoke to anyone they were happy to help, however, I did have to search that help out rather than them coming to me.

I think I greatly developed my networking skills and this was an essential part of the vacation scheme. We had to send round feedback forms to everyone we had meaningful conversations with so be prepared to talk to a lot of people in an engaging way. The work we were given gave me a good insight into what lawyers do but I'm not sure it developed me.

The vacation scheme was really well structured. We got given handbooks on the first day which contained our timetable and lots of extra information about the fortnight. We had Focus On sessions which taught us a bit about each department and these were well thought out and ran. It helped when I was trying to think which departments I'd be interested in.

Again the general atmosphere was really nice. Everyone is very understanding and supportive. They all genuinely wanted to get to know us and see how well we would fit into the firm. The atmosphere among the vacation students was great as well and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them all.

I don't think the firm invested a substantial amount, to be honest. They organised the week in an effective way and the talent team was amazing but when I went to the departments I didn't feel like they were trying to train or develop me. Rather they were having to find work that I could manage and a lot of the learning was self-taught.

I think the insight helped greatly. I got to see how two departments were run and the interactions between everyone who worked there. It was great to see an open door policy between the partners and everyone else, including the trainees. There were also lots of times when people were working together on cases so lots of teamwork.

We had to do a presentation on how could diversity and inclusion help Taylor Wessing thrive. This gave a great insight into the ways that TW are trying to help others within the firm and consolidated that it is a caring firm that wants its employees to do well as well as do a lot of work.

I honestly wasn't entirely sure I wanted to be a solicitor before the scheme as I had never done anything like it before. The fortnight helped me to see what life as a solicitor was like and what their challenges are. I think this was vital in me determining that I want to be a solicitor.

There were lots of opportunities to network during the fortnight. We had a welcome lunch to talk to our trainee buddies. We also had welcome drinks where a range of people in the firm came to. We had social events throughout the fortnight to talk to other trainees and then we had a partner lunch at the end of the week to network with them.

There were lots of opportunities to get involved in things outside f the firm. These range from legal activities to social activities. Lots of the departments have team socials where they go out, for instance, Go Ape. There are also formal dinners they do. They do Blackfriar's settlement clinic which is pro bono work. In terms of activities, they have men's and women's football teams and a women's netball team.