Vacation Scheme Review

I got a really broad insight into the culture at the firm, and met some really great people. I sat in tax and then employment and so my two weeks there gave me a lot to think about in terms of options for seats. We also had the opportunity to attend 'focus-on' sessions, where talks were given by trainees and associates from different departments. This meant that we learned about more than just the departments we were sitting in, and there was lots of opportunities to ask questions in the talks, or else arrange to have a chat with people from other departments.

Everyone that I came into contact with was friendly and approachable, and I was very comfortable asking questions about their work and experience at the firm. With regards to the work that I was set, I felt that my efforts were hugely appreciated and it was definitely recognised when I had done well. All of us were congratulated on our effort in the group work task, which was a really nice end to the two weeks.

I felt that had lots of support from my trainee buddies in both weeks. I could also ask questions of my supervisors and anyone else who had give me work to do. In general, I felt that I could approach people who worked in different departments to learn about their experiences - this meant that in terms of insight I wasn't limited to the seats tat I had chosen.

I learned skills in relation to the specific work that I was doing - drafting and checking contracts and deeds etc. - but I found that I was really able to develop my networking skills, as I become more accustomed to approaching different people within the firm. This was helped by the friendly, open door culture at TW. Hopefully I can apply these skills generally now, and it was really good to have some exposure to the type of work that I can expect to be given as a trainee.

It was well structured, with time set aside for focus-on sessions and some time allocated to preparation for the group work task. We had to organise additional meetings amongst ourselves which was helpful because we could select the most appropriate times, according to how much work everyone had been given. I found that although I stayed a little later on a couple of nights, in general I was able to complete the tasks I was given within relatively short time frames - I am grateful to the supervisors and others that I worked with, for organising work that was both suitable and enjoyable for me. There was also a social event each week and networking events arranged within the firm. This helped me to get a really full idea of what working at the firm is really like,

There was a real sense of being part of a team of vacation students, rather than feeling like I was always in competition. I made some genuine friends over the two weeks, and this sense of friendliness extended out to the rest of the firm while we were there. All of the trainees made us feel welcome by answering our questions and getting involved with the social/networking events. There was a really good balance between being given work and getting it done, and then spending time finding out what I wanted to know about the firm. It didn't feel like I had sat in one office for two weeks, but that I had seen as much of the firm as possible.

There was a full day dedicated to networking and settling in. In addition to this we had the focus-on sessions to provide us with a breadth of insight, There were also lots of opportunities to ask questions, and every time we were given a talk by another department we were encouraged to send emails with any questions or else 'pop in' for a chat with the people who had given the talk. It was clear that the tasks I had given were considered and I felt comfortable that the work I was doing was challenging enough without being impossible (so that my level of training had been taken into account). If there was anything that I didn't understand, my supervisor, or whoever may have set the work, took time to explain.

I have a much better understanding now of what it would be like to work at the firm, because I was able to ask all of the questions that I had, and experience first hand what the work is like within very different departments.

Through talking to lawyers at the firm I was able to get a very genuine idea of what the culture is like, something which is something that can be more difficult to achieve just by looking at materials online. It was great to be given a talk by the managing partner on business development, right at the start of the week, so that we could think about our 2 week placement from a different perspective too! It was also great to get involved in more social stuff, because it allowed all of the vac schemers to get to know one another but also, because the trainees were so involved, I think we got quite a good insight into their role at the firm, and also what it's like to be a trainee in London, more generally.

The whole two weeks confirmed my desire to take this career path, everything that I was uncertain about was answered for me during my time at the firm. The work was exciting and enjoyable and the variety, and quality, of seats that the firm offers is really attractive.

I live in London, but think I would have been reimbursed expenses if I had needed to travel.

There was a networking lunch on the first day and also a lunch with the partners in the second week, where we discussed TW's values but also chatted more generally, and were able to ask questions about the firm in a more relaxed setting, It was so fantastic to be given the opportunity to chat with partners in a 'networking' setting.

Genuinely a lot of fun! We had a mixology class in the first week and then played ping pong, What really stood out to me was how much the trainees were willing to get involved and talk to the vac schemers, rather than just taking the opportunity for fun, It said a lot about the firm that the trainees were so genuinely enthusiastic about making sure that we enjoyed ourselves,

Yes! There was an opportunity to go to Blackfriars to give advice as part of the pro bono activities that the firm offers, My trainee buddy was preparing for a triathlon and the associate who I sat with in the second week told me all about the firm ski trip. I even opted into a tour of the RCJ!

Yes, it was enjoyable and i got so much from it that I really couldn't have learned about without being there.