Vacation Scheme/ Work Experience Programme Review

Unlike the previous vacation scheme that I have been on, there was less of an emphasis on social events and more of a focus on giving you exposure to the types of tasks that trainees get up to. This meant that I was able to get a good idea of what it would be like to be a trainee in the two departments that I sat in. This was definitely the most enjoyable aspect of the scheme, although the day-trip to Paris was a close second!

The vast majority of people that I met were very friendly and welcoming. Everyone who gave me a task appreciated me helping them out.

Both my supervisors were very friendly and supportive (I spent my first week in Finance and my second in EU&Competition); they were also happy to explain anything that I was struggling to understand. However, I was not just set tasks by my supervisors. The other people who gave me work were also happy to take time to explain what they wanted from me and to answer any queries.

Like any vacation scheme, sometimes you have to go out and actively seek work. As I was fairly pro-active, I was quite busy for the whole two weeks.

As a non-law student, who has yet to do the GDL, there was a limit to the amount of responsibility and range of tasks that I could be given. However, apart from that I was treated like any other trainee - I was expected to get the work done to the requisite standard.

I furthered my understanding of document management systems and research tools such as Lexis and WestLaw. Whilst knowledge of the former will probably not be useful until I begin a training contract, knowledge of the latter should come in handy during the GDL.

In general the atmosphere if less stuffy than other city firms, but each practice group has its own culture. In Finance, the culture was very collegiate, although they also knew how to have fun! EU& Competition/ Tax, being a smaller group, was more intimate.

The vacation scheme brochure had all the information we needed in it. We were kept abreast of any changes to our schedule e.g. room changes for talks. The Paris trip ran very smoothly, despite the best efforts of the UK Border Agency!

There was formal training about Health & Safety and IT. This was supplemented by a comprehensive program of talks by practice groups and stakeholders in the training process. The talk by the global co-head of derivatives and structured finance was particularly enjoyable, although that might just be me.

Hopefully I will be offered a Training Contract - you are assessed during the scheme and they let you know the outcome a week or so after it ends. Fingers crossed.

Although we were all sitting in different departments and on different floors, we all ate together whenever possible. There were one or two after-work drinks events, but I was unable to make these.

Bishopsgate is not cheap, although the subsidised canteen helped to keep expenditure in check.

No idea.

There were two drinks events, a day-trip to Paris and a ten-pin bowling session. These were all thoroughly enjoyable.