by Poppy Turnbull-Smailes, Future Trainee Solicitor at a global law firm.

Congratulations, you’ve secured a place on a vacation scheme after a challenging application cycle! But how do you make sure that all your hard work pays off? Here are some top tips from a future trainee who successfully converted a vacation scheme.

Vacation schemes, as with other interactions with firms, can be scary and nerve-racking. However, with a solid plan for your time at the firm and some ideas in mind of what you want to achieve, you can feel reassured and ready to succeed.

1. Have an open mind

You will have been given at least one, if not two, seats for your vacation scheme depending on its length. Typically, winter schemes will only last a week and therefore you will likely only do one seat, whereas you may do two in a summer two-week scheme. It is important to be open minded in respect of this: you may not have been given your top choice: however, be sure some research into the department and speak to people in the team, as you never know what you might enjoy. Be curious and open to learning. You may surprise yourself!

If you feel like there are other practice areas you want to experience, definitely try and explore these! Being in a specific seat does not limit you to this for the duration of the scheme. Engage with talks from different members of the firm and practical workshops which might be put on for your scheme. You could also ask people in your department about other seats they might have done in the course of a training contract, for example.

2. Network and ask questions

This might seem like an obvious tip, but networking is key. It is crucial that you make a good impression on the firm, and you can easily achieve this by being proactive in engaging with different people throughout your time there. This does not solely mean lawyers. You could reach out to representatives from graduate recruitment with questions on the training contract/SQE or employees from responsible business/pro bono/ESG/DE&I if you are interested to learn about wider firm activities. It is helpful to speak to current trainees to understand their experience of the training contract too.

It is easy to send a quick Teams message or email introducing yourself and asking if someone has a spare 30 minutes to grab a coffee, which will help you immerse yourself in the firm’s culture and assess whether you think it is right for you. A vacation scheme is a two-way process for you to benefit from. This is also a good chance to speak to different departments and shows initiative if you organise this yourself.

3. Socialise

On your scheme you will be with a group of like-minded individuals. Spend some time getting to know your peers so you know some friendly faces. You could buddy up with a few people to walk into the office together, decompress at the end of the day or to sit with them during talks, which should help you feel less nervous! Also take some time to understand everyone’s different backgrounds and respective journeys into law: this will make any team-building activities during the scheme less intimidating if you have already broken the ice.

The firm will likely be investing into events and talks for you. Make sure to attend and enjoy these! It is not every day that you get a fancy dinner, a social event or a talk from a renowned public speaker, for example. Seize these opportunities for your own benefit and try to take some learning away from them.

4. Understand expectations

Whilst you should enjoy the social side of a vacation scheme, you also need to think about the purpose of your time with the firm. Is the scheme formally assessed? You need to prepare accordingly and understand exactly what the firm is expecting from you by the end of your time there. Think of the scheme as a way to practise and improve your skills, irrespective of the outcome.

For the tasks you receive, ask current trainees what their experience was and whether they have any tips. Put maximum effort into the work you do, even if you feel uncertain or out of your depth. Ensure you are asking questions to demonstrate curiosity and help you improve. Try to act on any feedback you are given. Clarify the scope of work given to you in your seat, including any deadlines, and communicate clearly about this. You will feel more confident if you know exactly what is required of you.

There is no perfect way to approach a vacation scheme. However, with the above tips in mind, you should hopefully feel more prepared and confident. Most importantly, relax into the scheme and have fun!