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Aspiring Lawyers - Interviews & Vacation Schemes
Vacation Schemes Discussion
The Official Vacation Scheme Diaries Thread
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<blockquote data-quote="Alice G" data-source="post: 11321" data-attributes="member: 1160"><p>Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful week <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>Here is another vac scheme diary written by one of our members. This is an incredibly detailed and sincere account of their vac scheme and I am sure this advice will be useful to so many of us going forwards; I will certainly be taking heed of it in summer! Thank you very much indeed to this member for taking the time to write for us, it really is so very appreciated!</p><p></p><p>Enjoy reading everyone <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Where was your scheme and how long for? </strong></p><p>I was on the Spring Vacation Scheme at HFW that lasted one week.</p><p></p><p><strong>Which department were you with?</strong></p><p>HFW structures itself by its six industry sectors. I was sat with the Energy & Resources Corporate team.</p><p></p><p><strong>Day 1</strong></p><p>We firstly had a brief introductory talk where we were told about the assessments we would undertake and were given advice about the scheme. We also had an introduction to the IT systems.</p><p></p><p>At midday, our trainee buddy came and took us out for lunch. This was outside of the firm so we could ask any initial questions and get to know our buddy. </p><p></p><p>The rest of the afternoon was spent being introduced to the team, settling in, and being set work by colleagues.</p><p></p><p><strong>Day 2</strong></p><p>We had talks each day on each of the firm’s six sectors, which were all an hour long. </p><p></p><p>My main task for the day was conducting a piece of research on ‘endeavours clauses’ used in contracts.. Upon undertaking the task, I realised that my research might need to be more thorough than my buddy had originally outlined. I raised this with my buddy and asked a few questions, which I certainly think they liked as this was expressed in my feedback.</p><p></p><p>We were also set our assessed ‘research task’ by graduate recruitment. When receiving this task, you are instructed to work on this independently and not to discuss it with any of the Vac Schemers or your buddy and you have a couple of days to complete the task. From memory, there are three different research tasks that graduate recruitment assign across all the vac schemers, which are based on knowledge from the firm’s sectors.</p><p></p><p><strong>Day 3</strong></p><p>In the morning, we undertook our second assessed task by graduate recruitment, the ‘negotiation exercise’. This was based on negotiating as the buyer or seller of a ship. No prior knowledge is expected and before we started the exercise, a shipping associate came down and outlined all of the key background information that might be useful during the exercise. This exercise was really enjoyable and I came away learning a lot about how lawyers apply commercial acumen when negotiating/getting the best terms for their clients.</p><p></p><p>The rest of the day was spent completing my research task and also some research for trainees into renewable energy sectors in Mexico. </p><p></p><p>Also, I attended the Energy and Resources’ global team meeting. This was really useful as I gained insight into the areas that the team were looking to develop, some new potential opportunities they were pursuing, and how the team collaborated globally.</p><p></p><p><strong>Day 4</strong></p><p>Most of the morning was spent in the department talks and completing my assessed research task before the hand-in deadline. </p><p></p><p>Once I handed in my research, graduate recruitment revealed there were a few more tasks associated with the ‘research task’, which last a couple more hours.</p><p></p><p>The rest of the day I spent completing a memo on the recent developments in Egypt’s Energy & infrastructure sectors. This work was used as the initial basis of a memo for two of the team’s partners as they were attending a conference in Egypt and wanted to be up to date with the current developments. </p><p></p><p>In the evening, we had a social at a local bar with all of the trainees. Graduate recruitment only stayed for ten minutes so this was a great opportunity to ask the trainees questions in a relaxed environment.</p><p></p><p><strong>Day 5</strong></p><p>The final day was spent completing some business development related work. This was useful because I gained insight into the type of things the firm was doing to engage with and to attract clients.</p><p></p><p>Graduate recruitment held leaving drinks with the trainees before we left, which was a really nice touch.</p><p></p><p><strong>Weeks round up and reflections</strong></p><p>I had a really good week with the Energy and Resources team. A lot of the tasks I completed were research based and I learned a lot about how the firm operated and its client base.</p><p></p><p>I was worried I had spent a lot of time on each of my pieces of work for the department but they didn’t seem to mind and I received really good feedback regarding this. </p><p></p><p>I learned so much from the assessed research task and negotiation exercise but, in hindsight, I did not spend enough time on the research task. I would really recommend thinking about the ‘purpose’ of this task and try to be as time efficient as possible, because there really is a lot to get through.</p><p></p><p><strong>What were the most significant and pertinent things you learnt on your scheme?</strong></p><p>I learned that when completing exercises that you are unfamiliar with, it is best to really focus on coming across confidently. In the negotiation exercise, I was definitely nervous and could have been more concise with my points, which was heavily reflected in my feedback.</p><p></p><p>Also, I learned how willing people across the firm are to help so really do not be afraid to ask anyone for advice.</p><p></p><p><strong>What did you enjoy the most about your scheme and the firm? </strong></p><p>Interestingly, I actually really enjoyed the negotiation exercise and research task the most even though I felt I did not come across well in either of these tasks. I learned so much from both of these exercises both in terms of the type of work that the firm undertakes and also the skills that commercial lawyers need.</p><p></p><p><strong>Were there any drawbacks at all?</strong></p><p>Cramming in the two assessed exercises, sector department talks and work for the department into one week is quite stressful and it certainly flies by. </p><p></p><p>Also, the firm seems to place a lot of emphasis on the graduate recruitment exercises and, at times, it felt like the work for the department was secondary, both in the feedback that was given and in terms of what ‘you’ get out of the week. </p><p></p><p><strong>Rating out of 5</strong></p><p>4.5 out of 5.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Alice G, post: 11321, member: 1160"] Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful week :) Here is another vac scheme diary written by one of our members. This is an incredibly detailed and sincere account of their vac scheme and I am sure this advice will be useful to so many of us going forwards; I will certainly be taking heed of it in summer! Thank you very much indeed to this member for taking the time to write for us, it really is so very appreciated! Enjoy reading everyone :) [B] Where was your scheme and how long for? [/B] I was on the Spring Vacation Scheme at HFW that lasted one week. [B]Which department were you with?[/B] HFW structures itself by its six industry sectors. I was sat with the Energy & Resources Corporate team. [B]Day 1[/B] We firstly had a brief introductory talk where we were told about the assessments we would undertake and were given advice about the scheme. We also had an introduction to the IT systems. At midday, our trainee buddy came and took us out for lunch. This was outside of the firm so we could ask any initial questions and get to know our buddy. The rest of the afternoon was spent being introduced to the team, settling in, and being set work by colleagues. [B]Day 2[/B] We had talks each day on each of the firm’s six sectors, which were all an hour long. My main task for the day was conducting a piece of research on ‘endeavours clauses’ used in contracts.. Upon undertaking the task, I realised that my research might need to be more thorough than my buddy had originally outlined. I raised this with my buddy and asked a few questions, which I certainly think they liked as this was expressed in my feedback. We were also set our assessed ‘research task’ by graduate recruitment. When receiving this task, you are instructed to work on this independently and not to discuss it with any of the Vac Schemers or your buddy and you have a couple of days to complete the task. From memory, there are three different research tasks that graduate recruitment assign across all the vac schemers, which are based on knowledge from the firm’s sectors. [B]Day 3[/B] In the morning, we undertook our second assessed task by graduate recruitment, the ‘negotiation exercise’. This was based on negotiating as the buyer or seller of a ship. No prior knowledge is expected and before we started the exercise, a shipping associate came down and outlined all of the key background information that might be useful during the exercise. This exercise was really enjoyable and I came away learning a lot about how lawyers apply commercial acumen when negotiating/getting the best terms for their clients. The rest of the day was spent completing my research task and also some research for trainees into renewable energy sectors in Mexico. Also, I attended the Energy and Resources’ global team meeting. This was really useful as I gained insight into the areas that the team were looking to develop, some new potential opportunities they were pursuing, and how the team collaborated globally. [B]Day 4[/B] Most of the morning was spent in the department talks and completing my assessed research task before the hand-in deadline. Once I handed in my research, graduate recruitment revealed there were a few more tasks associated with the ‘research task’, which last a couple more hours. The rest of the day I spent completing a memo on the recent developments in Egypt’s Energy & infrastructure sectors. This work was used as the initial basis of a memo for two of the team’s partners as they were attending a conference in Egypt and wanted to be up to date with the current developments. In the evening, we had a social at a local bar with all of the trainees. Graduate recruitment only stayed for ten minutes so this was a great opportunity to ask the trainees questions in a relaxed environment. [B]Day 5[/B] The final day was spent completing some business development related work. This was useful because I gained insight into the type of things the firm was doing to engage with and to attract clients. Graduate recruitment held leaving drinks with the trainees before we left, which was a really nice touch. [B]Weeks round up and reflections[/B] I had a really good week with the Energy and Resources team. A lot of the tasks I completed were research based and I learned a lot about how the firm operated and its client base. I was worried I had spent a lot of time on each of my pieces of work for the department but they didn’t seem to mind and I received really good feedback regarding this. I learned so much from the assessed research task and negotiation exercise but, in hindsight, I did not spend enough time on the research task. I would really recommend thinking about the ‘purpose’ of this task and try to be as time efficient as possible, because there really is a lot to get through. [B]What were the most significant and pertinent things you learnt on your scheme?[/B] I learned that when completing exercises that you are unfamiliar with, it is best to really focus on coming across confidently. In the negotiation exercise, I was definitely nervous and could have been more concise with my points, which was heavily reflected in my feedback. Also, I learned how willing people across the firm are to help so really do not be afraid to ask anyone for advice. [B]What did you enjoy the most about your scheme and the firm? [/B] Interestingly, I actually really enjoyed the negotiation exercise and research task the most even though I felt I did not come across well in either of these tasks. I learned so much from both of these exercises both in terms of the type of work that the firm undertakes and also the skills that commercial lawyers need. [B]Were there any drawbacks at all?[/B] Cramming in the two assessed exercises, sector department talks and work for the department into one week is quite stressful and it certainly flies by. Also, the firm seems to place a lot of emphasis on the graduate recruitment exercises and, at times, it felt like the work for the department was secondary, both in the feedback that was given and in terms of what ‘you’ get out of the week. [B]Rating out of 5[/B] 4.5 out of 5. [/QUOTE]
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