Spring Vacation Scheme Intern Review

I really enjoyed Baker McKenzie's Spring Vacation Scheme. All the events, presentations and socials were really beneficial and everyone was really welcoming and ready to help you.

Bakers is known as a 'nice and friendly firm's- which is exactly the case when you are working there. I was given real pieces of work by my supervisors and trainee buddies, which made me feel like I was contributing something of value.

Everyone is friendly and open to helping you if you have a question or need advice. However, don't expect to be molly-coddled since people also have their own work to do, so it is useful to use your own common sense and initiative in solving things if you do have an issue.

Not necessarily useful for my degree, however I did learn alot about the firm itself, which is useful for the exit interview for the TC.

Very well organised. Given a timetable at the beginning of the scheme, as well as calendar updates on outlook.

Everyone on my scheme was lovely and easy to get along with.

There was typical IT and library research training, but no other formal training really given; since it wasn't necessary as most of the work we had was simple research and document admin. If we had any problems, we could call the IT helpdesk or ask one of the PAs for assistance.

The insight showed me the true culture of the firm, the type of work they do as well as the people were all really genuine and friendly. I worked from 9ish to 6pm, which is typical for a trainee. As well as doing tasks, I got to attend trainee training sessions.

The company's culture is super friendly and non-heirarchical. Everyone was welcoming and happy to answer any questions you had. In my first department, an associate was nice enough to organise a department lunch to welcome the vac Scheme students, and make sure we were introduced around the whole department which I felt was really nice.

The scheme made me really feel like I would fit into the firm, as well as reassured my love for the law and wanting to be a commercial solicitor. It opened my eyes up to how different practising the law is to studying at university. And I was surprised at what departments in the firm I enjoyed more than others.

Paid each week around £360

Scheduled networking events throughout, as well as you were encouraged to email people for coffee.

Really good and varied, such as a cooking class, painting and darts.

Lots of pro bono, volunteering and sports opportunities. I was able to shadow my trainee to one of th legal advice clinics which was really interesting. Also, we had emails sent for people to get involved in things like tag rugby and yoga classes in the mornings. There is even a choir.

Definitely try and do a scheme at any law firm, as it gives you a true flavour of what life is like at the firm and the work. The two weeks can be long and grueling, but it really is worth it in showing you if law is the right career for you; especially commercial law.