How to have a productive, unproductive break | Law student edition

Posted on by Stephanie Dixon

Imogen Hanson, our Employer Relations & Development Adviser, has given some great advice to law students who may currently be doing work experience on how to balance work mode with rest. It is so important to look after yourself, especially after the year we have all had. So, take it easy and enjoy your Christmas break!

Winding down for the winter break

As the winter break approaches, we wanted to wish you a restful vacation and festive season. We know that this term hasn’t been the easiest with having to adapt to hybrid learning, so hope you all take the chance to have a well-deserved rest!

Many of you may still be in work and study mode, with internships, vacation schemes and open/insight days at the forefront of your mind.

If you do have something with an employer lined up already, congratulations – we look forward to hearing about it! You can listen to a recording of a session entitled Preparing for Legal Work Experience Placements to help you best plan for meeting the employer.

Rest assured if you haven’t secured anything, there is no need to panic! There are plenty of other options and activities that you can get involved in.

Many legal firms are offering virtual internships that don’t require application processes and can be accessed by students from any degree year or subject. Have a look on King’s Forage to see what is available from firms such as Clifford Chance and Linklaters plus many more.

Remember that employers really value non-legal work experience, volunteering and other activities outside of studies – transferrable skills are crucial so don’t lose sight of that.

targetjobs have once again launched their Undergraduate of the Year Awards, and the 2022 competition sees the return of the Future Lawyer of the Year Award, sponsored by Clyde & Co. Entering the awards is a fantastic experience no matter how far through the process you get, and is great practice for other job applications as the process is so similar!

As Future Lawyer of the Year, you could win:

  • Four weeks of work experience within Clyde & Co’s Data Lab and Climate Change Group.
  • Opportunity to receive 1-2-1 mentoring from the firm’s CEO Matthew Kelsall.
  • Chance to secure a training contract with Clyde & Co.
  • All 10 finalists will win a place on Clyde & Co’s insight day and be fast tracked to a training contract assessment day. All finalists will also win a gift voucher.

Visit the website to find out more and start your application! The deadline is 31 January.

Taking a break from your laptop

We are aware that many of you might be staying in London for some of the winter break – so here are some ideas to get you away from your laptop.

If you haven’t tried it out already, you can Ice Skate at Somerset House or at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink. There are also lots of festive markets to wander around:

 

And here are just some of the places where you can view spectacular Christmas Lights:

  • Bond Street
  • Carnaby Street
  • Covent Garden
  • Leicester Square
  • Oxford Street
  • Regent Street
  • Seven Dials
  • The Shard
  • South Bank
  • Trafalgar Square

 

Your career wellbeing matters.

Worries about your career and finding jobs or work experience are very common at this time of year. We are also hearing from lots of you that you are concerned about whether you are good enough or doing enough. It can seem like everyone else has things sorted – and this can all have an impact on how you feel.

There are Faculty Wellbeing and Welfare Advisors that you can get in touch with, and here are some 5-minute resources for starters:

 

 

The KCLSU Wellbeing Hub has loads more too support you too.

King’s Careers & Employability look forward to 2022 and hope you all return feeling refreshed. As always, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions!