Allen & Overy

Go with your gut instinct

19 August, 2008

"Oh look, it's mini-me!"

Ok, so not quite!  But yes my friends, it's vacation placement time again.  Forgive me for sounding somewhat beyond my days in saying this, but it all makes me feel rather nostalgic.  It was some four years ago that I was doing my vacation placement with A&O, but it just feels like the time has completely flown by, and now here I am, almost 18 months into my training contract.

Every three weeks over the summer, we have shiny new people walking around in suits and off get-up that fits and looks way better than when I was trying my hand at being a grown-up!  And truth be told, that's exactly how I felt - slightly flustered, in new clothes I wasn't sure about, attempting to play grown in jazzy new surroundings.

I had just finished the second year of my LLB in Law when I arrived in London, fresh from Manchester (via Belfast), and I didn't have a clue what to expect.  In a random way, I felt like I was playing dress-up.  Obviously, I submitted the application form and interviewed, but at times I felt very daunted by it all and wondered how it was I ended up spending three weeks of my summer with A&O.

Looking back, I realise now how many decisions I had to make to lead me to where I am now.  Having spoken to a fair few vaccies in the last weeks, I realise a most people felt as confused or find it all as daunting as I did back then.

So, I thought I'd write my blog this time on what lead me here ... Who knows, maybe someone out there will find it helpful when it comes to making their mind up in the weeks and months coming up?!  Alternatively, you can resort to pulling answers out of a hat, although I won't comment on how successful or rewarding that might prove.

I did my vac scheme with A&O in the summer of 2004.  I had decided to apply for vac schemes inside and outside London.  I was at university in Manchester so I applied to a fair few in the North and then a couple in the South West as well.  I had always been intrigued by the bright lights of London whilst at school, but I really could never go as far as to say 'Yes, that's definitely where I'm headed'.  It all seemed a bit alien to me if I have to be honest.

I grew up in Belfast, so even Manchester was a massive step up for me.  I remember feeling like I was already living outside my comfort zone by deciding to go to university outside Ireland.  Less than two years after moving, I found myself applying for jobs in London and wondering whether I was being too ambitious, or whether I had just plain lost it.

Looking back now, whatever it was, be it a few months of madness or a case of being too curious for my own good, I'm really glad I even considered London in the first place.  Initially, I was attracted by the quality of the work available in the city and the international dimenstion to everyday matters.  I thought best aim for the top and then rule things out as I went along.  Brave or naive, it worked.  There was no way I could say (especially before my vac schemes) whether this was really what I wanted to do, but there was always something within me that didn't want to write-off opportunities too quickly.

I felt completely overwhelmed sometimes, wondering how different my life could turn out if I moved to London, Leeds or Bristol etc.  It was different on every front, however which way I looked at it.  At the time, I thought I was the only one who felt this way, but increasingly I realise how many other people were having the same thoughts.  Moreover, how many people face the same decisions every summer.

My approach was this: go with your gut instincts.  It wasn't easy deciding to move down to London for me, but my vac scheme with A&O really helped.  I've spoken to so many people over the past months and I always tell them the same thing; you should always go with what feels right to you, and by that I mean what firm feels right to you.

The reality of it is this; once your student days are over, work does take up a good chunk out of five days a week.  You'll spend the majority of your day in the office, working with the people you meet at such events, you'll feel the same if you end up working for them.  I can say this because I've done it.

When I did my vac scheme at A&O, I ended up feeling at ease within a couple of hours of getting here.  Everyone was welcoming, friendly and took time to explain the matters and deals they were working on.  I always got invited to lunch with whatever team I was sitting with (you sit with two teams during your three weeks at the firm), and there was always a social event or people getting together for a drink or some dinner in the evening.

I realise now that if you go to a firm where you feel at ease, ultimately, it doesn't really matter what city you decide to move to after university.  Nothing has to be permanent if you don't want it to be.  Moving to London, I did it not because I knew what it was like to live here (I didn't) but because I'd found a firm I really wanted to work for.

The work A&O does is no-doubt top level stuff, but what really set A&O apart for me?  The people.  I loved the fact that I met so many people who were down to earth, approachable and friendly.  Everyone pushed hard to be accomplished and to stay on the ball, but they did it because they enjoyed it.  There was no boasting or egotism.  The impression I got was that the people, and thus the firm, was quietly confident and that end results spoke louder than words.  How could I not want to be part of that?

The first impression A&O made on me has lasted through to this day, 18 months into my training contract.  I've always felt accommodated and supported, be that professionally or personally.  I've never felt in too deep.  I can actually see myself progress and learn new things ... So no, A&O doesn't chain people to photocopiers 24/7.  I've done all of this and had a bucket load of fun (inside and outside the firm) along the way too.

Ask me now if I have any regrets and my answer is definitely not.  I went with my gut instinct, and I will always say that once you've got some idea of the kind of work you'd like to do, people should be the biggest factor in what comes next.  I definitely think that's the best advice I can give.  But I will say this, do keep all your options open and don't rule anything out too soon.  The answer will come to you easier than you think.  Good luck!