[carbolicsmokeball]

Hi all,

I'm starting a vac scheme at Slaughter and May next week and I'm feeling rather apprehensive as it's my first placement.

Can anyone tell me what to expect on a vac scheme? Are we given real work to do? Is it mainly photocopying etc? Also, does anyone have any experience of the firm's culture - are the people nice?!

Any info would be greatly appreciated! x

[lloydy]

Hey,

I personally never had any work experience at Slaughter & May but worked at a big US firm last summer. The work as a summer intern was actually not as boring as I expected it to be. Typical tasks included: drafting letters for the partner/associate you're sat with, completing bundles, proof-reading documents, attending meetings and taking notes etc. As a matter of fact, I never went near the photocopying machine in the two weeks I was there! That's what my placement was like but perhaps someone who worked at Slaughters will be able to give some more accurate info

hope this helps!

[carbolicsmokeball]

(Original post by Pandabär)
Did you not have to know at least a little about the culture to get past the online application/ interview stage?!

Well aren't you a little ray of sunshine? I'm sure you're not naive enough to think that you can actually grasp a true idea of what a firm is like simply through reading stuff online? The only people who really know are those that have been there, as I have learned from my vacation schemes - hence the question. Many thanks for your incredibly helpful input!

[carbolicsmokeball]

(Original post by lloydy)
Hey,

I personally never had any work experience at Slaughter & May but worked at a big US firm last summer. The work as a summer intern was actually not as boring as I expected it to be. Typical tasks included: drafting letters for the partner/associate you're sat with, completing bundles, proof-reading documents, attending meetings and taking notes etc. As a matter of fact, I never went near the photocopying machine in the two weeks I was there! That's what my placement was like but perhaps someone who worked at Slaughters will be able to give some more accurate info

hope this helps!

Thank you very much for your response, it was really helpful!

[carbolicsmokeball]

(Original post by Pandabär)
I just find it hard to believe that anyone is happy to start a vacation scheme not knowing if they will be given 'real work' to do, whether it will be 'all photocopying', and has no idea of that the culture of the firm is like, or whether the people are 'nice'.

Firstly, if I was going into law, I'd learn what a vacation scheme entails, and about what the firm offers. Obviously this varies by firm, but you can easily find this out from their literature/ asking the HR team/ speaking to their trainees at open days.

Secondly, surely you got some idea of the culture of the firm when you were going through the application process, reading about their practice areas, reading Chambers online and meeting their employees at interview?

Obviously it's not going to be 'all photocopying', no vacation scheme at a decent firm ever is. And obviously nobody is going to be able to tell you if the people are 'nice'. How do you define how 'nice' hundreds of employees are?

I'm not trying to be mean, but I just don't see the point of some of your questions. If I was a partner, and had a student sitting with me on a vac scheme who knew nothing about what the vacaction scheme entails, or what the 'feel' of the firm was like, I'd be a little worried.

Yes, the vacation scheme is there for you to learn more about the firm, but I'd expect attendees to be able to put forward a case for why they applied to THIS firm, and not the one down the road.

I can only say how flattered I am that a total stranger would spend this much time and effort answering my post. It is clear that you are sitting at home worrying yourself with this, but rest assured that there really is no need, sweetie. In fact, you'll be delighted to hear that my vacation scheme went fabulously well indeed. I hope that in light of this good news, you will now be able to distract yourself from what has clearly been such a huge mental burden - perhaps try some yoga or meditation tehniques to help clear your mind? Don't worry - some people are just worriers! It's endearing really. Good luck in your future endeavours, darling.

[Pandabär]

(Original post by carbolicsmokeball)
I can only say how flattered I am that a total stranger would spend this much time and effort answering my post. It is clear that you are sitting at home worrying yourself with this, but rest assured that there really is no need, sweetie. In fact, you'll be delighted to hear that my vacation scheme went fabulously well indeed. I hope that in light of this good news, you will now be able to distract yourself from what has clearly been such a huge mental burden - perhaps try some yoga or meditation tehniques to help clear your mind? Don't worry - some people are just worriers! It's endearing really. Good luck in your future endeavours, darling.

You've missed the point of my post entirely, but never mind.

[Wildcard]

You're both irritating.

[pupillagehunter]

I think this particular panda is having his annual period

[Brevity]

I just hope you stocked up on the stationary. That's the only measure of success on a VS in my book.

[The West Wing]

(Original post by Brevity)
I just hope you stocked up on the stationary. That's the only measure of success on a VS in my book.

So true. S&M have legendary stationery, the paper is like cardboard.