ACCESS Intern Review

There were separate events - around 3 or 4 per year, for 2 years. These involved both in-person and virtual opportunities. There were regular opportunities to network with lawyers at the firm and hear about their work. There were distinct weeks such as the Development Week and the Business Week. We researched and delivered a pitch in small groups to partners at the firm. Moreover, we worked with long-term clients of the firm to learn more from the in-house side.

I have significantly developed my commercial awareness - this includes my understanding of what commercial law firms do, the importance of understanding the business of firms and their clients, and the different markets of clients. My public speaking skills and verbal communication skills have improved. Many aspects of the internship also helped to develop my problem solving and analytical skills.

We started as 16 year-olds on this internship, therefore we were not necessarily awarded much individual responsibility. However, we certainly had responsibility on research tasks and when we worked in groups to deliver and not let down our peers. Our work was routinely reviewed, so we were responsible in making sure we tried our best.

We received a lot of support and guidance. In particular, this was seen when we received free tuition during our A-levels and this helped me improve my grades in the subject I was tutored in. Moreover, we received individual mentoring from a trainee at the firm which helped to answer all of the questions and concerns we had about pursuing a career as a solicitor, and in a top commercial law firm. Furthermore, we received training before applying for SPARK and we were able to do a mock interview before our Assessment Centre.

It felt incredibly inclusive and I felt like I could see myself working at that firm. There were plenty of people from similar, 'disadvantaged' backgrounds as me. In general, there are many hardworking people at the firm, and they also seem very friendly and keen to help us.

I really enjoyed the internship. It introduced me to many new concepts and understandings of the commercial world. I also made life-long friends and a network of like-minded people, who are pursuing similar career paths.

Yes

Try to get involved with the firm as early as possible and they have many things you could be doing. For example, do their virtual internships, attend their talks virtually or in-person, apply for their insight schemes and events. Build connections with people at the firm who may be able to offer advice on applying there. It is a lot of hard work alongside university, however it is achievable. You should not feel discouraged from applying even if it may seem impossible to be successful given how competitive it is.