Pathfinder Scheme Review

The Linklaters Pathfinder Scheme was the best put together scheme I have attended. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and took the time to answer my questions. The other students on the scheme were switched on and engaged, and every workshop, presentation or event was designed to capture our attention and for us to enjoy ourselves. I got to know the firm really well and grew as a person during Pathfinder. It was definitely a valuable and enjoyable experience.

I certainly felt valued during my time with Linklaters- everyone respected me and a lot of effort was put into making the scheme good value for the participants. During the shadowing aspect I was given meaningful work to do and praised for hard work, and all the employees treated me as if I was already at the firm and not just a temporary insight scheme participant. I was asked for feedback regularly and people often checked whether I was enjoying it and getting something out of the scheme.

I received a lot of guidance and support throughout the insight, through workshops tailored to help me with interviews and applications, and the buddy mentoring system in place. I was able to shadow an associate for a day and this was invaluable in showing me what life was like at the firm. My mentor gave me lots of advice on how to make a successful application for a training contract and what to work on until then. The whole scheme was designed to give us guidance on next steps.

The skills I developed, such as commercial awareness, interview skills and personal branding, will help me with resilience and confidence throughout my degree studies, and also helped me to think critically about law and current affairs. They will help mainly with applications and interviews, and everything on the scheme was targeted at helping us develop the skills for things down the line. It was incredibly helpful and relevant.

The insight was well-structured, with a well thought out timetable and plenty of organised activities for us. There was a good mix of presentations, workshops, networking opportunities and shadowing of trainees and associates. Everything ran smoothly and we always knew what was happening when. We weren't left to our own devices at any time, and each day was busy and enjoyable.

The general atmosphere was really positive. Everyone was really energetic and ready to learn, and the presenters/trainers were good at getting us to engage and participate. The firm were happy to have us and we felt valued and important during the scheme. I would emphasise the friendliness and welcoming attitude of the firm, as this stood out to me compared to other firms.

Linklaters really invested in us during the Pathfinder scheme, making sure we were put in the best position to make an application to the firm in the future or complete an interview as possible. Everything was really personalised to us, and the personal branding workshop was particularly useful. The organisers really thought about how to help us and their work was tireless.

The shadowing aspect of Pathfinder was particularly important in helping me understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the firm. I was able to sit in on meetings, undertake trainee-level work, talk to employees about their work and see for myself what I would be doing at Linklaters. Any questions that arose were answered quickly and satisfactorily.

The insight was really helpful in allowing me to understand the company culture. They talked us through their goals, aims and principles, and explained how these worked on an everyday basis. This was reflected in my experiences around the firm, and everyone was so helpful, friendly and welcoming. The commitment to excellence was evident, as was their respect for every individual in the firm.

The Pathfinder Scheme was invaluable in helping me decide on my future career path. Every question was answered in a really effective manner, and they explained the typical career path of a Linklaters lawyer really well. It confirmed my ambition to become a solicitor in an international, commercial law firm, and was extremely thorough.

They provided overnight accommodation and reimbursed travel expenses.

There were plenty of opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the firm. There was the networking meals such as breakfast and lunch, where lawyers from the firm were present to chat to us. There was also the social where we cooked various things, and could chat to employees then, as well as the shadowing scheme where we worked in their offices with them.

All the opportunities were really well planned out with a good ratio of lawyers to students, and were the perfect length. We were given guidance on how to make the most from these sessions, and there were enough opportunities so that we never missed out on anything. The social was amazing, and the chefs made sure we had fun while learning something.

Yes, I was able to find out about the gym and sports clubs, as well as pro bono activities employees can get involved in. My buddy was happy to tell me all about these things, and apparently lawyers are encouraged to get involved, even if it means leaving their desks for a sports match or similar. I would have like to see the gym as well, though.

I would absolutely recommend this insight to a friend, I met so many wonderful people and had a wonderful time! The activities were well-organised and fun, as well as helping me develop invaluable skills. I felt as if the firm wanted me there, and it was the best scheme of this kind I have attended. I would encourage everyone to apply.