What's the life of a trainee like? Is it all about long hours, challenging work and looming deadlines?
Not so at Brodies.
You can certainly expect to be encouraged and challenged in all the right ways to achieve your potential - but there is also the social element of your traineeship too. There are lots of social and networking opportunities available upon joining our firm – so here's a taster of what's in store.
Trainee social committee
Every year at Brodies, current trainees are invited to join the social committee - a trainee body tasked with creating and organising a schedule of social events throughout the year. The committee meets on a regular basis to discuss ideas and put them into practice. The result? Quality opportunities to meet, get to know and foster professional relationships with your fellow trainees in an informal and fun way.
Social events
In normal circumstances, our trainee socials vary from low key outings to the pub, to black tie events. For example, this year's annual Scottish Young Lawyers Association Spring Ball (which took place pre-COVID-19) was attended by a group of almost 30 Brodies trainees.
Our past get-togethers also include honing our cocktail making skills, challenging our problem-solving skills in escape rooms, blasting out tunes at a karaoke session and getting into the festive spirit at trainee Christmas dinners.
If you're keen to look after your physical wellbeing, the firm runs regular yoga, pilates and exercise sessions. Our trainees have also been known to engage in friendly competition on football grounds with colleagues and clients alike – and there are also plenty of opportunities to get involved in firm fundraising activities for charity, which range from bake sales, pub quizzes to physical challenges, like hikes and cycles.
Networking
In addition to the activities mentioned above, there are also numerous external social opportunities, where you can start building your professional network and get to know like-minded young professionals. We regularly liaise with organisations such as The Scottish Young Lawyers' Association (SYLA) and Glasgow Young Professionals and participate in seminars and talks that help develop industry specific knowledge and commercial awareness. This is in addition to the many learning and business development sessions that are organised by Brodies.
A new kind of social life
It's fair to say that, for the moment, the coronavirus pandemic has changed not only the way we work, but also the way we socialise.
However, we have embraced the situation while working from home, and continue to organise regular virtual events for our trainees. We stay in touch via pub quizzes, trainee lunches and impromptu catch-up sessions.
Whatever the circumstances we're living in, our trainees – myself included - are well looked after, both professionally and socially. I'd encourage anyone taking up a traineeship to get involved in as much social activity as they can – it's fun, it helps you to make new contacts and friends, and it exposes you to more learning and development opportunities to help progress your career.
Applications for 2022 traineeships are open until Friday 28 August.
Contributor
Trainee
