First Year Springboard Scheme Review

The week was absolutely fantastic. We enjoyed a mixture of bonding activities and helpful information. We really got a feel for the atmosphere of the firm and every single person I came into contact with was absolutely lovely. I have made several like-minded friends and we really got a sense of the culture of the firm, which was very welcoming.

The firm was really welcoming. The graduate recruitment team did a fantastic job of making sure we all felt welcomed and various networking events happened throughout the week which enabled us to get to know lawyers working at the firm. Although some people felt they were not really given anything to do when sitting in their practice areas, this is understandable given the fact that we are obviously not qualified lawyers!

We received a huge amount of guidance and support on this scheme. We were told about what would happen after the scheme, how to apply for a training contract and what would happen if we were lucky enough to receive an offer. We were also given introductory talks to all of the core practice areas that proved highly informative and explained to us in more detail the types of work that Clifford Chance does.

The information that we were given and the skills that I feel I developed are more relevant to the world of work than they are to my degree. Having said that, we were told about the form training contract applications take and also received a workshop on communication skills which I found very informative.

The scheme was incredibly well structured by the graduate recruitment team. Everything ran very smoothly and was taken care of. Our days were planned and we knew what we would be doing well in advance. Furthermore, the graduate recruitment team were very accommodating if anyone had queries.

Everyone seemed to have a fantastic time and I certainly did. Although very insightful, the scheme also allowed time for bonding among the group and meeting people at Clifford Chance. As such, we enjoyed several really enjoyable activities at the end of the day. Even during the day though, the talks we received were genuinely enjoyable as well as informative and everyone was incredibly friendly.

We received several talks, including many from senior individuals within the firm. These were excellent in terms of giving us insight into how a law firm works along with some information about the work in each practice area, although this was not training per se. There was a degree of personal development encouraged as well because we were encouraged to identify qualities that might lend themselves to a career at a firm like Clifford Chance and we received a class on communication.

This scheme gave a very realistic view of what a full time role at Clifford Chance would be like. First of all, we spent a large amount of time with people working at the firm and in conversing with them, I learned a lot about the ethos of the firm, the hours that they worked and the aspects of the job they do and do not enjoy. Furthermore, the session with a partner and associate answering anonymous questions, with no brief on what to say, gave a very honest account of life at the firm.

Once again, the ability to converse with current employees was probably the best way in which I gained an understanding in this area. The scheme allotted plenty of time to formal and informal social or networking events. In talking to lawyers, the firm's culture became apparent. For example, talking to one individual, I heard how she had stayed behind to help a trainee scan documents late into the night.

The scheme gave a very honest account of what life at a firm like Clifford Chance would entail. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it has reaffirmed my desire to be a solicitor. I am under no illusions about the kind of sacrifice one might have to make and I feel much better equipped with information than I previously was.

We were both paid and reimbursed expenses for a taxi that we had to get in order to reach St Pancras early one morning. This is an incredibly reasonable arrangement, given that throughout the week we received a huge amount of incredibly useful information, gained invaluable experience and were taken to various social events. In all honesty, I would have done the scheme without any renumeration in a heartbeat as it is absolutely worthwhile.

As I have said, there were several opportunities to meet employees in both an informal and a formal setting. Every meal that we had at Clifford Chance afforded us the opportunity to network with people at the firm who came to eat with us. Moreover, trainees and associates attended the social events that we went to and this was a fantastic way of hearing about their work and getting a sense of life at the firm. Moreover, we were assigned buddies with whom we can stay in contact.

The networking and social events were incredible fun. Everything was provided for us from drinks to tickets to an immersive theatre event. This ensured that we both got to know employees of the firm and others on the scheme. As a result, I am sure that we will stay in touch, giving us friends and useful contacts as we continue at university and into the world of work afterwards, wherever we end up. The graduate recruitment team were so well organised that we all had a fantastic time and felt very comfortable talking to employees.

We had a talk on the pro bono opportunities available to members of the firm in an absolutely fantastic talk. There was clearly a huge range of things to do. We were not explicitly told about other activities outside of work in detail, although we had plentiful opportunity to ask any questions we wanted at all, so this is probably more down to my failure to ask about such activities than it is a shortcoming of the scheme.

I would absolutely recommend this scheme to a friend. It was a superb balance of insight and enjoyment. I feel that the best way to get a feel for a firm is to look beyond the information presented on a website and get to know the firm's ethos and culture. The only way to do this is to visit the firm and talk to employees and this scheme is a fantastic opportunity to do so. Not only that, but it is unbelievably fun and insightful.