Vacation Scheme Intern Review

Especially considering the short turn around to making the scheme virtual, the graduate recruitment team did and excellent job. The week was well planned, and we got to hear from a wide range of members of the DLA team, from trainees to partners and members of the executive board, through many informative and inspirational talks. It was incredible to see how involved senior management was involved throughout the whole process. There was a good amount of time given to trying to get to know fellow interns, particularly the the group task and in the office specific sessions.

The involved from the senior management team and the amount of time they were willing to spend, in addition to the one one partner time shows that the entire team is invested in getting to know future trainees. Additionally, if successful this involvement is continued and the graduate team support you until you join DLA.

Each day started with a talk from the grad recruitment team outlining what to expect for the day. There was also an agenda emailed prior to each day so we could know the timings and necessary zoom codes. Support in terms of technical difficulties was always available, and interviewers were always very understanding. On the last day a talk was dedicated to the next steps of the process, and also the next tasks for the following week as well as when to expect an outcome by.

The VC was very useful in informing me about DLA Piper and what they as a firm could offer. Covering diversity, pro bono, corporate responsibility, the firms structure, approach to management and future aspirations. This was in addition to hearing a number of personal stories which were very inspiring and demonstrated how inclusive DLA is. It did not guide my studies, but this was never something I expected to take away from this process.

There was a clear timetable indicated, sent via post, prior to the internship. However, this was subject to minor changes due to overrunning sessions and additional speakers (all great additions), there grad recruitment emailed the timetable the night before the day. It would have been nice to have greater transparency about the tasks the following week, however this was given on the last day of the internship, so only a minor thing.

Everyone was very enthusiastic and keen to get involved, all the interns were ready and willing to adapt to this new style, making a great deal of effort to contact each other beyond the internship. Grad recruitment was very enthusiastic and did a great job at ensuring the environment was communicative and as fun as possible via zoom.

This is only a VC scheme so of course most of the investment shall be made once and if I receive the TC. But during the scheme they gave us food vouchers to ensure everyone was able to replicate trainee quiz and pizza night, which was a lovely touch! The talks from the heads of departments and heads of regions and heads of offices, shows a great amount of investment from the broader group, that so many important people took time to invest in us.

The assignment of a trainee buddy was very useful in this respect, they were able to give an insight into what it was like to work in different departments, advice to choosing the right ones for you and also general advice surrounding the VC. The next steps talk given by grad recruitment was also very insightful, indicating opportunities to further interact with fellow successful applicants, and how the firm would keep in touch and help with our next stages. Talks from senior individuals also provided an insight into eventual career progression into managerial positions and what these entailed.

It was very clear to see that the values are not only a marketing ploy, but really drives the culture and the actions of the firm. This came through particularly when hearing from the managing partner for the Dublin office. It was also evident when speaking to trainees all the way through to senior members of the team.

Very! This has definitely confirmed my preferred choice of firm and has given me an insight into how important values and culture is to the way in which a firm operates. An insight that couldn’t have been gained through just attending open days, an honestly invaluable experience that I am so grateful to have had.

Yes I felt that the amount given and the fact that they continued to pay us despite the panademic. It was a very fair reimbursement for our time and considering that we were learning and not doing any actual work like we would have usually have been doing - was a very different approach than taken by some other firms.

Yes there was a trainee quiz, there were office specific events, as well as time in group work. I believe there will be another event during the week the further meet our potential future colleagues. Trainees have been very forthcoming ugh their time and are always happy to chat. Additionally there is still the intention to visit the office and therefore be able to network further when possible in the future.

This was more difficult given the virtual nature, but there were many talks with q & a opportunities, which meant we were able to hear many responses. I don’t think there could have been any better way to facilitate networking given the circumstances, however it sounds like there will be many more opportunities on a successful offer.

Yes. There was a talk given by the networks MOSAIC, LAW and also the parents network. We did not hear too much more about extra curricular which would have been nice, but this would have been nice also. However, given the time restrictions of the one week allocation it is possible to understand why this was not included.

Yes definitely, this was an incredible experience which provided a unique insight into the firm, it’s operations, it’s culture and it’s people. This type of insight is not possible at any other types of event and it allowed me to see that many of the things discussed at events were genuine and not only marketing.