Vacation Scheme Review

Considering it was supposed to be an in person experience that they had to chance, it was of great quality. It was ran smoothly, well thought out whilst being enjoyable and interesting. Although being online wasn’t ideal, the teams had gone to great effort to make it the best it could be.

Did feel valued when placed in smaller groups - everyone was always very helpful and wanting to make sure you had everything you needed. In the larger groups it was perhaps harder to feel valued as an individual as there were so many people on the call. However, as an intern overall they definitely made an effort and can not be faulted.

There was always someone available to help. A lot of emphasis was placed upon this. Whether it was the grad recruitment team, your assigned ‘buddy’ or other trainees. There was always someone to guide and support you that you could easily reach out to.

The information I received has helped me decided if DLA Piper is the firm for me. Information include their training scheme format to company structure etc. All very interesting and gives a full rounded view when making future decisions about my career.

Well structured with a timetable set for everyday. Originally they weren’t sending out the timetables, but they quickly changed this so we were receiving it the evening before. The days were interesting with a good amount of breaks between talk. There was also enough practical work to add some variety.

It’s hard to measure the atmosphere through a computer screen, but everyone was very friendly and excited to be there. Talking through zoom can make things less spontaneous and maybe a little bit more awkward when in larger groups, but everyone was willing to adapt and kept a positive attitude.

There wasn’t much focus on personal development sessions. However, you were able to reach out to people and ask for help leading to development it needed. I can assure I have definitely developed my skills in zoom.

Got a good understanding of the work a trainee would encounter day to day. This was through group work and talking to them. Also got to see the day to day work of higher up members of the firm, but not in the same detail. However, this was understandable.

A large range of talks on many different aspects of the firm. Nothing beats an in person experience in understanding a company’s culture, but everyone was very nice and able to demonstrate it through calls and seminars.

It helped me understand what I want in a law firm and what a law firm expects of me.

I was payed a very reasonable amount for the weeks work as well as gifted a £25 just eat voucher at the start.

Harder to network than in the traditional way, but lots of emails were freely given out with the invitation to contact them from people in every level of the firm.

Not the best in the world, but a very solid attempt considering this is the first ever online internship. It was more awkward than it would have been in person, but it’s what you make of it and I was able to find people I could freely message and speak to.

Yes, there are a range of networks with positive messages that anyone is able to get involved with. As well as there being more lighthearted alternatives such as dodgeball teams and choirs.

Definitely. A great experience I am glad I got to be apart of. Learnt many things I didn’t know before, which will be beneficial in the future.