Vacation Scheme Student Review

I really enjoyed my insight into Baker & McKenzie. I have genuinely experienced the friendly atmosphere they pride themselves on. A have given a 9 because my vacation scheme as challenged me a little bit every single day, but this is great because I want a career where I will be constantly challenged in order to improve. In combination with all the fun social events, the vacation scheme as really be an invaluable experience.

There is nothing to fault in terms of feeling valued in Bakers. The Graduate Recruitment Team constantly assured us that we could contact them at anytime. They arranged departmental talks for us every day, and at least one social event a week and all this made me feel really looked after. In addition there is a feedback session at the end of the week, I get the impression there is a genuine concern that vacation scheme students leave feeling as though they have really gained an insight.

Everyone is given a buddy (usually a trainee) and a supervisor (associate/partner) for each department they sit in. From my experience, I received lots of feedback on my work and my work got progressively harder throughout my time at the department which was great as it showed genuine improvement in my ability.

The departmental talks that were arranged for us almost every day gave the best possible insight into what life is like in all the different seats. In addition to this just being in the offices for three weeks and getting an insight into the culture, the work and the atmosphere of the office has given me the best insight into a career at Bakers. I think I have learnt how to prioritise my work well and do small but essential office tasks such as use Excel and write a note which aren't skills I have needed to learn before.

On the first day we were given an extremely detailed information booklet which has been so handy throughout my entire seem. It included a timetable, photos and bios of all the vacation scheme students and the graduate recruitment teams contact information. The first day also consisted entirely of training which I really appreciated. There has been a departmental talk almost every day, and a social at least once a week all of which has gone seamlessly.

Bakers truly is friendly, I never left as though I couldn't ask a question and I have been for coffee with a lot of my colleagues who are genuinely interested in supporting me. Our vacation scheme student intake have really become good friends, and everyone is always up for socialising outside of work too. The trainees sit with us at lunchtime and are happy to answer any questions also. There has been a genuinely comforting and encouraging atmosphere at every moment.

We were given IT training, telephone training, a presentation skills workshop, talks from people in every department and feedback on almost all of my work including a general feedback session at the end.

I think spending three weeks in the firm has given me the clearest possible insight into what a career at Bakers would be like.

The firms culture is very unique, everybody is genuinely friendly and there is a really emphasis on that. Spending three weeks here has meant that I have received a brilliant insight into the culture of the firm.

It has assured me even more so that law is the right career for me!

Right from the start we had welcome drinks, then there were social events each week and the departmental talks were an opportunity to meet people from other departments. We also had a corporate department lunch, which was helpful as I did not to a corporate seat and a lunch with some of the Managing Committee another fantastic insight into such a high level of the firm.

There was at least one social event a week, and at least one department talk every day!

We had both a CSR talk and a talk on Pro Bono and other groups at Bakers. We were welcomed to any of the events we wanted to go to during the three weeks.

Most valuable insight you could ask for!