Student Review

I really enjoyed the insight as I believe Dentons did a great job of giving me the real experience of what being a trainee would be like - despite having to move it online and having to reduce the number of days the vacation scheme could be. I also enjoyed the social which was organised and got to know all my fellow vacation schemers well through that and the group task at the end of the week.

I felt extremely valued not only throughout the vacation scheme but throughout the entire application process. At the very start, a partner who interviewed me during the assessment centre emailed me to congratulate me on getting the vacation scheme and wished me the best of luck. During the week, everyone I spoke to was extremely helpful and made sure I knew that I could reach out if I ever needed help. At the end when I received my decision most of the people who I had been in contact with reached out to congratulate me, showing me how supportive the environment at Dentons is.

For all the tasks, everyone made sure that I had all the information needed to carry it out effectively and everyone also made clear that I could just send them an email or arrange a quick video chat if I ever felt like I needed extra help or support with anything. We had calls with the graduate recruitment team at the start and end of every day so they could just make sure we were getting on ok.

I further developed my time management, communication and research and analytical skills by completing the varied tasks given. This will certainly assist me in general when I begin my training contract. I also developed my drafting skills when I drafted a letter to a client, a skill which I have not been able to really use during my degree however one which is extremely important for my future as a trainee but also for the LPC.

We received a full timetable before the week started and were given a lot of free time to just get on with our tasks. We had a few talks throughout the week which is usually scheduled at either first thing in the morning or lunchtime. There were also set catch up calls with our supervisors and buddies however the rest of the time we were free to just do our tasks or organise chats with different people in different seats to gain a better understanding of the firm.

Everyone was very friendly and helpful, especially the graduate recruitment team who was always free to talk and answer questions. The social at the start of the week made sure everyone on the vacation scheme was comfortable with each other and really helped us as a cohort bond which was beneficial for the group task at the end of the week. My supervisors and buddies were very supportive and understood the difficulties of having to do the week online.

The week was very helpful at understanding what being a trainee at the firm would be like. I was given set tasks but was able to take on further if I thought I had the capacity. I was also able to assist in an ongoing case which was very interesting and meant that I got a full experience of the type of tasks which I would be undertaking. I also got a deeper understanding of the supportive culture of the firm.

While it was slightly more difficult as everything was virtual meaning I could not just go into someone's office and have a general chat or observe those around me, I still developed a good understanding of the supportive culture of the firm. This was through the multiple chats I had with my supervisors and buddies where I was able to ask all the questions I had and also all the help which was offered to me during the week to make sure I could get on with my tasks.

I was already very set on becoming a solicitor and working within the commercial law sector hence this was less applicable to me however it did confirm that this was the right career path for me. I was able to gain a deeper insight into what life as a lawyer would be like and was able to gain new experience in sectors which I have not thought about doing a seat in before such as commercial litigation.

As the week was done virtually this was more limited than it would have been. However, I was able to organise my own chats with different people from different sectors if I wished and there were opportunities to meet those in the team of the seat you were sat in.

There was one social which was a treasure hunt type of activity which I really enjoyed. I was able to get to know some other vacation schemers who were on my team however some trainees had to drop out hence there were none on our team.

During my chats with my supervisors, I was able to find out about all the activities which are available such as all the sports teams, a book club, culture insight days... I was also able to organise a call with the person who organises all the pro bono activity and was able to learn about all the CSR work that the firm does such as pro bono advice, volunteering at a homeless shelter and mentoring kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Absolutely! I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Dentons and cannot wait to be able to begin my training contract here. However, even if I was not offered a training contract I would recommend the insight regardless as I believe the week really gave me a real experience of life as a lawyer/ trainee working in the virtual environment which has become our new normal. In comparison to the other vacation schemes I have taken part in, Dentons is certainly the one which gives the most accurate experience.