Summer in the City

Its that time of year again. While most of us are looking forward to jetting off on a well-deserved summer break, wannabe lawyers are preparing to sample life in a law firm.

Summer vacation schemes are an essential part of the road to solicitor glory. So theres no getting away from them and, as one graduate recruitment manager recently told me, you should treat them as two-week long interviews.

Before donning that brand new suit and tie, I suggest you take a few minutes to read our feature on how to survive summer vacation schemes.

I know it sounds simple but attitude is the key. Be proactive, talk to people, seek out work if you havent been given any, and get involved. Equally important is common sense dont use the temporary email account a firm gives you for stuff thats not related to work, such as gloating about your previous nights conquests with a fellow summer student.

Thankfully, its not all work. Most firms will lay on a series of social events, meaning drinking is a common feature on vacation schemes. But dont get carried away and do what one student did. He got so drunk he ended up in casualty. And dont complain about the champagne being too cheap or demand a limousine to ferry you around. That simply wont wash, even if youre the offspring of an A-lister (yes that really did happen on a vacation scheme last summer).

Finally, dont suck up to the head of graduate recruitment. Theyll see right through you. Whats more, its unlikely to make you very popular with the other students.

Happy holidays!
Husnara.begum@lawyer2b.com