Vacation Scheme Review

The vacation scheme exceeded my expectations throughout the two weeks that I spent with the firm. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, I was given typical trainee tasks so the work that I completed made me feel like I was actually contributing to my departments, and the socials were fun yet a great way to network.

Everyone I met always took the time to introduce themselves, share their experience with the firm and asked how I was finding my time on the scheme. I was doing real work of value and was regularly asked to attend client calls or strategy meetings which made me feel like a member of the team.

When it came to working in my two departments, everyone I worked with always answered any questions I had relating to my work or about the firm in general. Once a task was completed, a member of the team always reviewed the matter with me and offered constructive feedback. This ensured that I understood what I was working on yet allowed me to see how this work fit into the bigger picture.

As someone currently completing the LPC, I already had an understanding of the legal elements required. However, the vacation scheme exposed me to what life would like as a trainee from a practical sense. Additionally, it gave me an appreciation of being able to apply my knowledge practically as opposed to academically which is what I have been used to until now. The vacation scheme also gave me a thorough understanding of the firm and its practice areas and clarified my areas of interest. Overall, it made me very excited to become a trainee.

Graduate recruitment did a really good job in organising the two weeks for the vacation scheme. There was a good balance between training sessions, presentations and socials. Overall, it allowed me to understand the firm holistically and confirmed to me that it was a place that I could see myself working at.

It was very friendly and welcoming environment. It was clear to see that everyone was proud to be part of the firm. I also felt comfortable approaching any member of the firm, regardless of their seniority. This made it easier to truly build an internal network and feel comfortable throughout my two weeks.

Reflecting on the two weeks, I can confirm that the firm did a lot to invest in our experience and understanding of the firm. Because of the level of involvement I had with the firm's departments, the work I completed and my ability to attend strategic meetings, I was able to develop in a well-rounded way. Everyone in my departments took the time to work with me, explain matters and provide feedback. I therefore got to appreciate how I was contributing to my teams whilst seeing how I could improve and progress my abilities. Furthermore, my supervisors also made the effort to take me for an end of seat coffee after each week where I got to reflect on my time in the department and ask questions.

Because everyone was so friendly, it was clear to see that I would be joining a welcoming team regardless of the department I sat in. Also, by completing real work of value on a vacation scheme, I knew that as a trainee I would be given a high level of responsibility which is something that I find exciting. Most of the people I met at the firm had qualified with the firm or had been there for a while which shows that it is a place where one can have a long-term career. Lastly, the firm does a really good job in ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and included. This meant that everyone had such diverse backgrounds which made working in teams more exciting.

The vacation scheme gave me a first-hand insight into the firm's culture. This was achieved by the people that I met, the presentations that graduate recruitment hosted, for example, around the value that the firm places on pro bono and CSR, and by the work that I completed in my two seats. I also got to attend strategy meetings for the firm which gave me insight into the firm's culture by seeing how the firm maintained a culture of diversity and inclusion through different initiatives or events it hosted.

Before the scheme started we got to choose our seat preferences and we were provided with a thorough breakdown of the firm's different practice areas. This was a great introduction to the firm's work and helped us decide which areas we were initially attracted to. Because of the variety of events and presentations hosted by graduate recruitment, we truly had a holistic appreciation of what life would be like as a solicitor at Baker McKenzie. I particularly enjoyed the interactive sessions from the different departments as it allowed me to see what they did whilst understanding how they all piece together in larger transactions.

Yes, I was paid adequately for this experience and based on what is reasonable to live in London. At this stage, pay was not something that mattered as much to me but it did help given that I am a student and don't have an income to support accommodation in London. The pay was fair in being able to support temporary accommodation given that I was having to move to London for the two weeks during the vacation scheme.

The first day had a welcome drinks social hosted by graduate recruitment which allowed us to meet different members of the firm from all levels. Also, whenever I started a new seat in a department my trainee buddies always took me around the floor and introduced me to my team. Additionally, throughout the two weeks we were encouraged to participate in different firm initiatives such as sport teams which exposed us to members outside of our departments. Graduate recruitment also hosted frequent socials where trainees could attend.

Overall, there was a good balance between being able to network in both formal and informal settings which was great. Because of the firm's culture, everyone that I met was always friendly and approachable, which made networking more comfortable as it is often perceived as being an intimidating task. Everyone that I met truly cared to welcome me into the firm and always made an effort to remain in touch throughout the scheme and beyond. Additionally, because of the various networking and social events held, I began to build an internal network from the start of the scheme, and now as a future trainee this is something I can rely on when I start.

Graduate recruitment hosted presentations which discussed the different ways people could get involved. There is really something for everyone, and if not, the firm is open to new ideas which shows how progressive and inclusive Baker McKenzie really is. Also, the firm's graduate website and brochure provides information about this.

I would absolutely recommend the vacation scheme to a friend. The scheme was really valuable in allowing me to gain a first-hand insight into the firm and its culture. I got to see how global its clients and the work that it does are, which was a key aspect that originally attracted me to the firm. Additionally, the scheme was an opportunity for me to be exposed to the firm's unrivalled practice areas which was valuable in helping me decide my future career path. Overall, these two weeks confirmed that this is a place where I could truly have a long-term legal career.