Summer Vacation Scheme Student Review

This has been one of my best vacation scheme experiences.

Both my principals treated me like a trainee and gave me trainee level work to do, whilst also making sure that I understood the subject and background of what I was doing. Beyond that, during our lectures everyone talked to us as if we were already part of the firm, trying to convince us why we should join them etc., which makes us feel very valuable and already part of the team.

We had trainee buddies who we could go to for help at any time, and other trainees in the department would always be willing to help as well. Further, grad rec were always contactable for further assistance with any matter.

There were things that we were taught in lectures which I can definitely see benefitting me in my studies, such as with company law next year. Also, just getting an insight into how commercial law operates, who the players are, and how the deals are structured from the people who actually run the deal, is incredibly rewarding and will help me in my future.

There was a good spread of academic, commercial, and social aspects of the scheme. They didn't overload us with socials, and the ones that they put on were spectacular, so it was a great balance. We got to hear from nearly all departments, which was useful as well. There was also a 'team work' day where we had a client pitch competition, as well as a taxi treasure hunt, which was a good 'break' from the work schedule.

I was apprehensive about how stressful it might be, but I didn't feel this at all. Everyone in the office, although definitely hard working, didn't look overworked or too stressed out, and were always willing to say hello and answer our questions. Aside from that, the vacation scheme students on my intake were all lovely people and there wasn't a negatively competitive atmosphere between anyone. People were friendly and encouraging, and the grad rec were definitely super helpful and nice.

We were given lectures from nearly every department, and our trainees would show us how to use different Linklaters resources. We also had an IT training in the beginning, which was useful for the rest of the scheme.

We were treated as trainees in some respects, and so I definitely feel that I have an idea of what it would be like here.

We got to understand the culture through sitting in our departments and seeing how fee earners interact during work hours, and also during socials when people were more informal and just wanted to know about who you were. It appears that people do genuinely like working here, and all have that drive of wanting to be the best, without being nasty to anyone else. On top of that, people were very open and would want to talk to you and get to know you, which I found refreshing.

I definitely feel that I have been given a great insight which has confirmed my decision about wanting to work at the firm.

We were paid 350 a week.

We had 2 socials every week, and there would always be lawyers there to talk to.

I definitely felt like we were being treated very well. We went to some of the poshest places, such as the Shard, The Ivy, and other classy restaurants. You do feel that they want you to be impressed, and we definitely were.

We had a CSR talk as well as information on the clubs and socials at the firm.

Definitely.