Vacation Scheme Review

I enjoyed the vacation scheme immensely and I am glad that Taylor Wessing decided to go ahead with a virtual scheme instead of cancelling it entirely. Even though it was only a week instead of the normal two, I think they managed to fit a lot into the shorter time frame regardless.

I think that I felt valued by my practice area in particular as I was included in their meetings and they were very friendly and welcoming. They trusted me enough to send additional and real work to me but were considerate enough to ask if I had time to do so.

The graduate recruitment team were incredibly supportive throughout the whole process. Even before the vacation scheme started, I felt that we were provided with lots of information and technical support in order to get ready for the virtual placement. During the week vacation scheme, we had regular meetings with the talent team and they were present for almost all the scheduled activities to ensure everything went okay.

I think I learned a lot during this week. Not only did I learn more about Taylor Wessing as a firm, I think I generally developed soft skills like team work and networking.

I think the insight was incredibly structured and clear. The Graduate Talent team had scheduled many meetings between departments and sessions for practice areas to speak to us about. However, because our timetables were so packed, if a seminar overran, we wouldn't have time for breaks. In addition, it was a challenge to manage our time for personal networking as our timetables were so full.

Taylor Wessing has created a number of different events so that we were introduced to all areas of the firm. In general, everyone was friendly and welcoming. However, the practice area I was seated in were above and beyond in welcoming and the trainees in particular were very easy to talk to. I think graduate recruitment were aware of their effect and so, scheduled time for us to chat to the trainees alone so that it was a more open and free environment.

I think the firm invested quite a lot of time for us, especially in such a short time frame. We covered all practice areas and even had some skill sessions/ an introduction to pro bono so that we were able to virtually experience as much as possible. Though we were not able to get much depth in information due to limited time, we got a good oversight of the firm.

Though it was not quite the same as having a vacation scheme in person, I think that Taylor Wessing did a good job in introductory material to educate us more about the firm as well as giving us enough time to work within our practice areas. As a result, it felt generally like we were trainees with scheduled development sessions and having to manage our own time and to balance our own work.

Though every firm claims to be friendly and to have an open door policy, etc, I think the environment must be experienced to truly believe it. In particular, I didn't grasp just how friendly the firm was until I was on the vacation scheme and it was quite touching that everyone, from the partners to the trainees, were so welcoming and approachable.

I think that graduate recruitment did a good job in facilitating our choices in practice area placement. Even though we had one less practice area to sit in, they facilitated catch ups with our other practice area choices in smaller groups so that we had time to personally chat to them to find out more.

The rate of pay stayed the same even though it was a virtual scheme than in their London office. Even though the scheme was cut short (one week instead of the two weeks), it also meant that we didn't have to spend the time and money commuting to the office.

There was a mix of both scheduled networking events with many different members/ practice areas of the firm and encouraged personal networking (where we reached out to particular departments or people to arrange individual meetings to chat). I think generally many people were happy to talk to us over email and plenty gave up time to have virtual meetings/ calls with us vacation schemers. The only downside was how packed our timetables were so we were very pressed for time trying to fit in these meetings in between activities.

I think they were very fun and varied. Even though they took place over online calls, I think everyone mingled quite nicely as a group. Though it was a shame we didn't get more individual conversations, there was a great group atmosphere. The only drawback was that these events were dependent on technology and affected by things like your internet connection. In addition, it meant only one person could speak at a time.

The best example was Taylor Wessing's work in pro bono with their Blackfriars activity. I think the immersive simulation was very fun and piqued my interest in volunteering there. However, more could have been done to expose us to the different networks and sports teams that the firm has but this may have been due to the limited time frame and also the fact that everyone is working from home right now.

It was such good fun and so valuable as an experience. Not a minute was wasted on this vacation scheme! Though intense due to the sheer amount of scheduled activities and work, I think it was just about manageable and a valuable learning experience overall as a result. Taylor Wessing is definitely a firm you need to experience.