Work Experience Programme Participant Review

The internship was a fantastic learning experience in many senses. I came away feeling that I had a far greater understanding of the role the firm plays in the commercial world, and that I had made a contribution to the teams in which I was working. The social aspect of the internship was another highlight - I feel that the various social events really enabled the interns and the firm's employees to get to know each other. The biggest praise that I can pay the experience is that it has left me with no doubt that working at the firm is exactly what I want to do!

From the outset, I was treated like a genuine member of the team. Of course, this brought with it a degree of responsibility, but above all it presented a fantastic opportunity to prove myself. Associates and trainees took time to explain tasks to me and to place them into context, and were realistic with regards to setting deadlines. When I completed work, appreciation was always shown.

I was never made to feel like I couldn't ask questions - the firm very much has an 'open-door' policy. I was encouraged to introduce myself to, and obtain work from, as many different people as possible, all of whom provided excellent support and guidance.

My first seat, Costruction, was very busy, and as such it was an exercise in managing competing deadlines. Staying on top of the work load and handing back completed tasks was a fantastic feeling, and never went unnoticed! My second seat, Finance was quieter, meaning that I had more time to complete tasks. This provided a nice balance to the first seat.

The employees were keen to give me work, but were always realistic with regards to what could be expected of a non-law graduate when it came to delegating the more technical work. The work I was given was always that which would otherwise be done by a trainee, therefore it was always 'real' work. Far from being made to feel on the periphery of the department, I was treated like a genuine member.

The practical skills and knowledge I gained will serve as an excellent basis for me as I embark on the Graduate Diploma in Law. Equally, if not more, important was the experience of working within the dynamic professional environment of a large City law firm; I feel that my inter-personal, management and commercial skills have improved during the three weeks spent at Mayer Brown.

The office had a relaxed and friendly feel - the associates and trainees were very busy but made time to engage with each other. I was taken out of the office for lunch on two occasions by associates and trainees, and there is a clear emphasis on getting to people in a personal, as well as professional, sense. It was this sense of camaraderie which convinced me that the firm was the right one for me.

The placement was brilliantly organised, from the various talks given by partners on the firm's areas of expertise, to the social events which were dotted throughout the process. We received a comprehensive information booklet on out first day which served as a very useful reference point throughout the three weeks.

The firm invested its time, money and effort in me to give me a feel of what a career there would really be like.

As a result of my performance on the placement, I was offered a Training Contract with the firm. Prior to commencing the Training Contract, the firm will fund my studies for the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course, as well as provide a maintenance grant - invaluable!

The fellow placement students got on very well with each other, and formed a fantastic relationship with the HR team. We also attended numerous social events with the firm's trainees which painted a great picture of the social side of working at the firm.

It is well-known that London has a high cost of living, and therefore rent was a considerable expense. Fortunately, the firm's pay enabled me to cover this, and to purchase some other essentials, such as a travel card. In addition, the social events such as trips and lunches were all fully covered by the firm, so many days went past without having to spend a penny!

Excellent. The City is replete with lively bars and restaurants, and there is a tangible after-work buzz to many locations - particularly Exchange Square, which was a favourite hang-out of the firm's trainees and interns.

Yes, from sport to pro bono to an end-of-day drink, there was no lack of things to do outside of work.