How did the vacation scheme end? Was there a training contract interview?

The first three days of the scheme were all work experience based. On Thursday, we had the assessment centre, written assessment and interview, which was followed by a presentation. The final day consisted of presentations from the firm’s Solicitors Qualifying Exam provider (The College of Legal Practice), a partner panel, trainee panel, networking sessions and a lunch, where we had the chance to talk to partners.

What did a day on the vacation scheme look like?

I’d arrive in the morning and meet up with the other vacation schemers. At this point in the day, we had a bit of time to socialise, get to know each other and seek advice about our experience on the scheme so far. Our supervisors would meet us in the reception and take us to the departments we were scheduled to work in for that day

The tasks we got involved in were reflective of the work a solicitor might do. There was no pressure to complete anything fully – the scheme is designed to get vac schemers involved in the work and ensure they understand what it means to work in each department they get to experience.

The lunch break offered another opportunity to socialise with trainees, paralegals and partners. This was a great chance to not only understand the culture of the firm, but to also ask some of my own questions. It was clear from the outset that Ashfords is an incredibly friendly law firm as there was a very open atmosphere. Following lunch, I’d spend the rest of the day working on the tasks I’d been set.

What was it about the firm that attracted you to apply to its scheme?

I’d heard of Ashfords through someone on my course who’d completed the vacation scheme with the firm. She mentioned how open and engaging she’d found the firm while on the scheme, which are characteristics that I noticed too, and that she’d really enjoyed the work. This conversation prompted me to approach Ashfords at a careers fair where I met a few firm representatives. I had a particular interest in real estate law and when I was researching the firm I discovered that the firm’s real estate practice had a strong reputation. I spoke to the firm representatives about my interest in this area and my dissertation ideas, and they were really supportive and interested in my ideas.

Did your attendance on the scheme support your application for a training contract?

Most people looking to get into law will have completed several training contract applications. The vacation scheme is such a great opportunity to show your motivation and skills in a way that you can’t quite get across in a written application. It’s also a great chance to consider the cultural fit – there’s no amount of information on paper that can properly demonstrate how you might suit or fit within a firm.

How did the scheme help you to understand the firm better as a business?

I learnt about Ashfords’ unique selling point – that is, its position as a regional firm and the geographical context of being based around the South West as well as London. It  competes with other firms on a national scale in more mainstream fields, such as corporate or real estate, but it also has the care and understanding to work in less typical fields, such as agricultural disputes and marine issues. Ashfords is well placed to work in these areas given its geographical location – they have the background and placement to work on these issues and its evident that they care about them too.

What’s one piece of advice you’d pass on to future vacation schemers?

My advice would be to ask as many questions as possible and say yes to networking opportunities. At the start of my vacation scheme with Ashfords, I was naturally nervous to speak to people because you’re there as a vacation schemer and you don’t want to interrupt anyone in the flow of work. But it became clear very quickly that everyone at the firm wants to help and support those coming up. I kept reminding myself that they’d all been in my shoes, which helped with the nerves. Everyone I spoke to offered such fantastic advice. These days there are so many different routes to get into the legal profession and a lot of these people are living proof of that, so there’s no better place to do your research than in a firm. I spoke to so many people who’d come to law through routes I didn’t know existed, had switched career paths or changed their mind about certain areas of law.

Other than attending a vacation scheme, what’s the most relevant experience you’ve had that’s benefited your journey to becoming a lawyer?

I completed a brief internship for a chartered surveying company in its legal department. Chasing a career in law is long and takes a lot of work, so any experience that can prepare or point you towards an area of law or just the law in general will always be beneficial. For example, my experience pointed me to real estate law and gave me something to talk about on applications and in interviews.