What did a day on the vacation scheme look like?

I typically arrived at Winston & Strawn London LLP’s office between 8:30 and 9:00am, so I had time to settle in and look over my timetable for the day. Arriving at this time also allowed me to catch up with others in the office, including my supervisor. Although each day varied, most of them consisted of presentations and assigned work, such as a research-based litigation task and a group corporate presentation. I also took on additional corporate due diligence tasks as I sat with the corporate team.

The firm provided lunch for us, so we were able to spend time with the other vacation schemers in the office. After lunch, we’d dedicate time to preparing our group presentation, which was scheduled for the final day of the scheme. In the afternoon, I’d take occasional breaks from work to network with people at the firm. I usually worked until 6:30pm and we were discouraged from working late. On one evening, there was a social involving drinks at the office followed by a pasta-making course, which was a great opportunity to get to know everyone while doing a fun activity.

Which were the most enjoyable – and most challenging – aspects of the scheme?

The most enjoyable aspect of the vacation scheme was meeting people across all practices and departments. Everyone was very approachable, so I felt comfortable asking questions about their different experiences and day-to-day life at Winston & Strawn. Having people be so welcoming demystified the legal profession for me and gave me a true insight into life at the firm.

The most challenging aspect of the vacation scheme was ensuring that I was effectively managing my time. As a one-week scheme, it can be tricky at times to strike a balance between prioritising assigned work and wanting to seek out other work and opportunities. As such, it was important to allocate time effectively around my deadlines and ensure I was completing tasks to the best of my ability.

What’s the most important thing you learnt about the firm while on the scheme?

The non-hierarchal ethos of the firm stood out from the very first day. Every individual I met at Winston & Strawn was so friendly and approachable. This is especially important given that the teams are relatively small and trainees work closely with partners. As such it was clear that while you’d be given a lot of responsibility as a trainee, you’d also be a supported and valued member of the team.

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

Communication is a key skill for any candidate starting a vacation scheme as it facilitates your ability to network. Being able to effectively communicate and network with others is vital for getting the most out of the scheme as it enables you to get to know others at the firm, including other vacation schemers. It also helped me learn a lot about myself. Another key skill is attention to detail. You aren’t expected to know everything but if you have a keen eye for detail, you’ll be able to spot and avoid simple mistakes, which will help you to leave a good impression.

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

My main advice to future vacation schemers is to be yourself. It’s natural to want to make a positive impression but putting extra pressure on yourself could lead to you worrying or overthinking. If you approach the scheme with authenticity and genuine curiosity, you’ll be able to get the most out of the experience and have the best time!