Winter Vacation Scheme Review

The graduate recruitment team were immediately welcoming and supportive from day one of the scheme, and were very enthusiastic about the firm and our success. I sat with the Investment Management practice and really enjoyed seeing lawyers working in action, learning more about the practice, work that BCLP does in this practice area, and getting to know the lawyers. Aside from this, we attended numerous practice area workshops, hearing from partners and associates around the firm and in different offices. I gained invaluable insight into the legal industry, the profession, the firm, its work and culture.

I felt very valued, both by the graduate recruitment team and by the practice team I was working in for a week. People genuinely had an interest in who I was and what I was hoping for in a future career in law, and it felt like they were invested in my success. I was given work by trainees and associates, and was always given feedback.

I received great guidance from the graduate recruitment team, who met with each vacation schemer individual ahead of the TC interview to hear about our experience so far, give us feedback on our AC, and advice for the TC interview based off this feedback. It was tailored to each individual and very much appreciated. Throughout the scheme my trainee buddy provided me with a lot of support, setting me tasks, providing me with advice and introducing me to everyone on the floor. The team also invited me to their Christmas Lunch, which was very thoughtful.

As I attended a Winter Scheme, it was only a week long, as opposed to two weeks long. Therefore, between inductions, workshops, socials and meeting people, I did not do enough work to vastly develop the skills I already had, but allowed me to apply them and show my potential. However, the information I received during workshops, and the experienced I gained sitting in on calls and leaving about the practice I was in gave me insight into the practical day to day life of commercial lawyers, which will undoubtedly help me anticipate the work and life of a trainee.

Each day was timetabled with workshops, talks and socials, leaving just enough time to get work done, get to know the team, and schedule in some coffee's and chats with lawyers in the firm, who were all more than willingly to get to know me.

The Winter Scheme had the added benefit of festive cheer around Christmas time, and I was placed with a very fun and enthusiastic team, so the environment was light-hearted, friendly and cheery, despite everyone being busy and having a lot of work to do. People were welcoming, inclusive, motivated and hard-working. Trainees seemed to genuinely be enjoying their exposure to work, and the company and support of other trainees.

Graduate Recruitment provided feedback and development sessions before the Training Contract interviews, which were helpful and touched upon our performance during the Assessment Centres to get onto the Vacation Scheme; this was invaluable. There was not much else in terms of training and development on the one week scheme, it was more of an opportunity to learn about the firm and its practice areas.

As it was only a week long scheme, it might not have been entirely reflective, but it gave me a snapshot of the work BCLP does, the environment and culture, and the people who worked there. I did tasks typical of what a trainee would be given, and sat in on calls with partners which gave me insight into their interactions with clients and the work they do. I think this all gave me a brief but solid insight.

I sat with a team for a week, and this gave me a solid insight into the friendliness of the people at BCLP, the cohesiveness of the team and the company culture. I also attended socials with other trainees which gave an insight into how they interact with one another and how they are finding their experiences, which was reassuring and motivating. Talks given by partners about their work and career at BCLP were honest and refreshing, considering the change the firm has been going through as of late.

I did work typical of that which a trainee would be assigned to, which helped me understand a little bit about what I'd be doing as a future trainee. The workshops and partner talks also provided great insight into their careers in law, their varied experiences and their mutual enjoyment of their time at BCLP. It definitely consolidated my aspirations to be a commercial lawyer, and seeing the culture of the firm in action helped me decide that BCLP was where I wanted to start my career.

I was paid £400 for the winter vacation scheme.

Yes, there were socials to meet other trainees, and talks with partners where we could ask questions about their careers and time at BCLP. There was also a partner lunch where we got to rotate and meet different partners over a meal which was a great experience. My practice team also invited me to their team Christmas lunch, and this was a great opportunity to get to know people on a personal and professional level.

Networking and social opportunities were plentiful and very much enjoyed. There was a networking opportunity with trainees, evening socials for vacation schemers, and a partner lunch where we got to rotate and meet different partners over a meal which was a great experience.

Aside from hearing about a Pro Bono opportunity for a women's clinic in East London, I did not learn much about activities to get involved in outside of work.

Definitely would recommend this insight to a friend (and already have).