Hiya [USER=34242]@paralegaltotrainee[/USER]
Congratulations again on securing your place on Cooley's vacation scheme! I've put together some of my thoughts below for you.
You'll find the scheme consists in a balanced mix of live client assignments and structured tasks set by graduate recruitment. Both elements are equally important, so even though the live client work is engaging and rewarding, make sure you give the structured tasks plenty of attention too. These exercises provide graduate recruitment with a consistent benchmark to compare candidates (which can be more difficult to assess if they were to look strictly at your live client work), so I'd recommend that you invest care and thought into each one.
You'll likely sit in two different seats during your time on the scheme. While it's tempting to focus on work within your assigned teams, I strongly encourage you to look beyond them as well. Some of the most insightful and enjoyable experiences I had involved actively approaching associates and partners in other practice areas. Reaching out to express your interest and proactively asking for tasks will not only enrich your understanding of how the firm operates but also help you demonstrate initiative and curiosity.
My trainee buddy was an invaluable support to me during the scheme (sadly, they've since left the firm). They allowed me to navigate everything from understanding senior lawyers' workloads to figuring out the best way to approach certain tasks. Really recommend that you don't hesitate to ask your buddy any questions you have (whether practical, professional, or simply about firm culture). My buddy certainly made the experience much less daunting.
Finally, while the vacation scheme can be intense, you shouldn't put unnecessary pressure on yourself. One thing I tell myself often is to "get out of my own head." Overthinking can feel awful. Instead, actively seek feedback before submitting work, but don’t let it shake your confidence if you receive heavily edited documents. I had my fair share of redlined feedback and still managed to secure multiple offers.
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly!
