Hey everyone,
I accepted to do a two week vacation scheme at a top US firm (upcoming from next week) BEFORE accepting a training contract offer from the firm I want to and will be going to.
I still want to do the vacation scheme, as its two weeks and will therefore give me good exposure to two new practice areas, which I see as hugely valuable to inform my training contract seat choices. There is nothing in my training contract offer documents that precludes me from accepting work experience with other firms/explicitly restricts me from doing this vacation scheme, the only limitations I can see are around 'acting professionally' and keeping any information on the TC firm confidential, both of which I will of course do.
I see no ethical concerns around this either, as I had accepted the VS offer before accepting the TC offer, so no other candidates are restricted from a shot at the VS firm as I had already taken the place. I could also do with the spare cash!
Would nonetheless be interested in what others think/if anyone knows of or has been in the same position.
I personally don't see the value in doing vacation schemes if there is no chance in you considering training with the firm. I think exploring what you might enjoy as a trainee can be done in far more productive (and realistic) ways than a vacation scheme too. You have 2-3 years to also work this out rather than needing that information now.
I'd argue you are restricting someone from doing the vacation scheme as the firm can backfill the opportunity with someone else if you were to renege on the offer. This is why many firms run waiting lists or get back in contact with candidates that were close to getting offers.
However, it is ultimately your choice and no one else's business what you choose to do. It is only their opinion on the matter based on their experiences.
My opinion is based on the frustrations of being on the other end of this. I feel like mine and my colleagues' time has been wasted when this has happened to me in the past. A lot of effort goes into running vacation schemes and it just seems a shame for all the effort with no chance of any return.
There are enough people who choose to continue with vacation schemes for a range of reasons - sometimes its financial, sometimes its just to be 100% sure they are making the right decision, sometimes its for reasons like yours. So it wouldn't be that you are the only one doing this.
