It can be hard to get a job in law firm without doing a vacation scheme. It can be hard to get a vacation scheme without doing work experience. And it can be hard to get work experience without knowing someone.
That’s where Discuss comes in. Discuss is a programme specifically designed to help people in receipt of means-tested grants and bursaries to access careers in commercial law. The programme, sponsored by Magic Circle law firms, Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance and run by Rare, systematically addresses the challenges faced by people who lack social capital.
The programme is open to all London university students, from any discipline, who have just finished their first year of study.
Students on the programme will:
- receive individual support from ex-Clifford Chance and Slaughter and May lawyer Melissa Andrewes
- attend a series of group sessions and one-to-one sessions which introduce them to the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in corporate law
- attend events at Allen & Overy’s and Clifford Chance’s offices
- get the opportunity to meet partners, associates and trainees from the firm, providing exceptional networking and learning opportunities
- participate in a series of exercises including current affairs discussions, case studies, debates, a plain English workshop and an ability test skills workshop
The programme is completely free of charge. Places are however limited so if you would like to register your interest please fill out a short form here. Interested students should apply by 30 June 2014.
Having recently piloted the programme at Oxford, the results have been impressive. 5 participants were successful in gaining a vacation scheme at Clifford Chance, 2 secured places on workshops and 1 attained a training contract offer.
Melissa will be hosting a short information session at Clifford Chance’s office early next month. All details will be made available to those who are interested. If you would like to come along to find out more, please email Samir Manek at: samir.manek@rarerecruitment.co.uk