Summer Internships
It’s this time of the year again. Many undergraduate law students are taking part in vac schemes or other kinds of summer internships with law firms.
In a socially distanced world, many things have changed. You are now working remotely and will probably not get the chance to meet your team in person. This entire “experience” will take place online, with you sitting at home. That’s fine. Not ideal, but fine. As long as you make the most of it (and stay healthy, obviously).
What you need to concentrate on is the stuff that has not changed. You need to keep certain things in mind:
a) You made it. Not everyone manages to get a summer placement. Congratulations.
b) Your primary aim should be to explore whether this is a job you would like to do on a full-time basis. Observe, ask questions, work hard. By participating in team calls and being copied in email threads, try to understand the group dynamics: who does what, how associates communicate with trainees, senior associates with partners etc. It’s not a given that since you are a law student your goal in life should be to become a solicitor and then a partner. There are many more options, both within the legal discipline and outside it. Stay curious, you’re too young to cling on to ossified opinions.
c) In order to leave a good impression, both the work you produce and your demeanour need to be up to par. But it’s really the latter that will help you stand out. It’s unlikely that as an undergrad law student you’ll produce work that will impress a practitioner, since this is a skill you have not practiced. However, your willingness to learn and help out, your incisive questions and your positive attitude can leave a lasting impression.
d) Enjoy it. Even if you need to work extremely hard, the placement will be over before you know it.
e) At the end of your placement, make sure you email everyone you worked with (separately), thanking them for your collaboration and for what they taught you, using specific examples. Few students will take the time to do this, so it will help you stand out.
Best of luck and ... bon courage!