What did a day on the vacation scheme look like?

The Marriott Harrison summer vacation scheme was well organised and thoughtfully planned. The structure of the week was a balance of insightful activities, getting exposure to real work while having enough time to meet the team and get a feel for the firm. There were plenty of opportunities to learn and contribute. The activities included meeting current trainees to hear about their experiences, engaging in interactive skills-based activities, and even enjoying a relaxed, valuable ‘ask me anything’ Q&A session with the managing partner, Daniel Jacob.

Marriott Harrison has a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative called MH Discover, where they find unique people and bring them in to speak to the firm. It offers a different perspective and on the week that I attended the scheme, a professional magician presented on the topic of using magic within high-performing environments. This was an unexpected element of fun and creativity, breaking up the routine, and allowing us to bond over something that was both unique and entertaining.

Marriott Harrison struck a healthy balance in how our time was spent. I never felt rushed or that any part of the day dragged on. It was a productive and enjoyable experience from start to finish.

Was the vacation scheme what you expected?

It’s hard to know what to expect but Marriott Harrison’s vacation scheme definitely exceeded my expectations!

It was an engaging, supportive and enriching experience with a well-balanced mix of practical tasks, informative activities and opportunities to interact with everyone at the firm.

Perhaps what stood out most were the enlightening conversations I had. Everyone, regardless of their role, was approachable and willing to share insights into their work and themselves. These interactions, more than the tasks I completed, made a lasting impression and helped relieve any pressure I might have felt going into the week. The warm and welcoming atmosphere truly made a difference.

What key skills are required to have a successful experience on the vacation scheme?

Being proactive in learning about the firm will set you apart.

I wasn’t expecting my completed work to be framed and mounted on Marriott Harrison’s walls, but I wanted them to remember me for asking questions, being proactive and showing a genuine interest. For me, it was about having an inquisitive attitude, offering assistance where I could and making that assistance useful.

In this way, I found myself in three main roles: part detective, part assistant, and part enthusiastic sponge, soaking up knowledge and showing that I was eager to learn and contribute. In short, I wanted to show that I was curious, helpful and memorable… in the best way possible. At the end of the day, it’s your eagerness to learn and your willingness to lend a hand that’ll make you stand out.

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

Every day of the scheme presented me with many opportunities to peek behind the curtains and observe the inner workings of the firm and find out more about the clients Marriott Harrison works with. The firm works for a lot of entrepreneurial clients, and this spirit and drive carries across to the firm’s culture. Due to the office being open plan, I even had the chance to eavesdrop on a few calls (with permission, of course), which offered an unfiltered look at how the firm conducts its business.

By the end of the week, I saw Marriott Harrison not just as a collection of legal experts, but also as a dynamic and thriving business entity. The openness of everyone I interacted with made me feel like I was immediately a part of a forward-thinking and cohesive team. I mentioned this feeling at the interview following the vacation scheme, and the team confirmed that was exactly what the firm is all about and what they hoped that we’d see.

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 find that the skills of a lawyer are so broad that almost any career or experience has some kind of overlap!

As a teacher of several years, the skills I’ve developed in communication, research and problem-solving have been valuable in becoming a lawyer. I found that building relationships with colleagues and students in a school environment is similar to working with colleagues and clients in a professional environment – in that how you approach problems and how you find and add your own personal touch can go a long way.

Naturally, the ability to balance a variety of tasks and responsibilities as a teacher has honed my time management skills. Teaching has also taught me resilience and adaptability, and I look forward to transitioning these skills into legal practice. Even if you come from a prior experience or career, this is seen as only a good thing at Marriott Harrison. Your skills will be more transferable than you think.