Insight scheme participant Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the insight scheme. The first day sessions and trainee shadowing helped enhance my understanding of the commercial law world and of life in Baker McKenzie, and I felt the advice provided on applying for vacation schemes and training contracts at Baker Mckenzie will prove invaluable when I make my application, whilst the more relaxed escape room and dinner helped me get to know the Graduate Recruitment team and my fellow insight participants on a more personal level.

I felt very valued during my time at Baker Mckenzie. Although it was made clear that we were expected to impress, every person I met at Baker Mckenzie, whether participating on the insight scheme or not, were incredibly kind to me and genuinely wanted to help, particularly regarding any questions I had for them. Of particular note was the partner, who despite his busy schedule ensured every question that the insight participants had was answered.

I received a good amount of help during the insight scheme. During the first day the Graduate Recruitment team ensured we received support the entire day. On the second day, whilst the department I shadowed was extremely busy and my trainee was strained for time, she made great efforts to help me whenever I encountered a problem.

The networking skills which I learnt will prove invaluable in future networking events with law firms and in my career beyond that, whilst the information I received about working at Bakers and what will be required of me when I make my vacation scheme application will also be immensely helpful when I make my application next year.

Very well structured. We received an itinerary detailing what the plans for every day would be, which was followed accordingly. My only suggestion for improvement would be to send the itinerary a few days before the scheme started, so as to be able to plan transport timings.

There was a great atmosphere during the insight scheme. The Graduate Recruitment and the trainees I met made a great effort to be kind and friendly to us, and activities such as the escape room helped bolster a friendliness amongst the insight scheme participants.

Considering the scheme only lasted 2 days, Baker McKenzie arranged a great variety of developments events such as the commercial awareness workshop and networking session, whilst also dedicating a significant number of staff to the insight scheme. My only suggestion would be that whilst [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] was a truly inspiring partner, it may have been nice to have had more opportunities to talk to partners from different practice areas so as to help us determine which practice areas we are more inclined o .

The insight scheme helped me develop a much more concrete picture of what a full time role (as a trainee) at Baker Mckenzie would look like, having shadowed a trainee for a day and also from what I learned talking to other trainees.

Very much so. Being in the firm itself, I was able to observe the interactions between all members of staff and the true diversity of the staff, as well as being told in grater detail about aspects of the firm's culture that I wasn't able to see directly myself such as its commitment to CSR.

Incredibly valuable. Having seen what Structured Capital Markets involves for a trainee and having spoken to trainees in different practice areas, I now have a much clearer picture of which practice areas I am more inclined to select should I receive a training contract.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the top-tier hotel that Baker McKenzie had arranged for me to stay in, which I felt emphasised the genuine importance Baker McKenzie attached to the insight scheme beyond what at some other firms might be a publicity gimmick.

Yes. There were numerous opportunities to network with members of the graduate recruitment team as well as trainees. I might also have been nice, however, to have had more opportunities to network with associates or partners, although I recognise the difficulty of this given their time.

Very good. The trainees made a real effort to sit down with us and talk to us individually and were extremely friendly and willing to offer help beyond the insight scheme.

Yes. I was told a great deal about the various pro bono projects a trainee could get involved with and how participation in these pro bono activities worked in practice, as well as the various ongoing training activities and diversity/ inclusion projects members of Baker McKenzie could get involved with.

Definitely, as mentioned previously the experience, advice and knowledge I gained from the firm was invaluable in helping me be sure about applying to Baker McKenzie as well as what sort of practice area I might like to qualify into.