Life skills and career tips for Canada's lawyers in training
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/50906
HOW WERE THE HOURS? 3% I left early most days 3% Work continued into nights and weekends Typical 9 to 5 46% Occasional night, nothing outrageous 48% 61% I loved every minute of it explain it, though. Several students commented they would have enjoyed staying on, but the fi rm was too spe- cialized to provide them with a well-rounded experience. "I loved my summer," said one student, adding that "the lawyers were really friendly, and I would have articled there if they did more than just plaintiff personal injury." With all of that being said, 55 per cent of respondents were offered a chance to continue on, 28 per cent were given an outright no, and 17 per cent still weren't sure whether they would be hired back. Generally, students enjoyed their experience. Almost two-thirds said they loved every minute of the time spent on interesting work, which ap- peared to be linked to having a high level of responsibility. Students who said they took on a lot of their own fi les tended to fi nd the work more interesting. One respondent, who worked with legal aid, commented that "the opportunity to manage my own fi les, and represent my clients at tribunals, hearings, and trials was invaluable. The sense of accomplishment at winning a client disability benefi t was like nothing I'd experienced before." Enjoyment of the job was also "MY STUDENT WAS THE WORK INTERESTING? Not really 6% 33% Somewhat they were treated as equals, and 31 per cent said they tended to have a mentor/protegé relationship with someone at the fi rm. Along with horror stories of demanding partners come the CO-WORKERS WERE ALWAYS QUICK TO GIVE UP THEIR EVENINGS AND OFFER TO HELP ONE ANOTHER OUT. BY THE END OF THE SUMMER, WE WEREN'T JUST COLLEAGUES, WE WERE FRIENDS." linked to treatment by colleagues. There are horror stories of summer students being treated poorly by lawyers, and 4Students' survey results refl ected a few. "It was a wretched en- durance of the lack of disrespect and backtalk from such a small fi rm, despite the great in-court experience," said one student. But the tales of woe aren't the norm. Most students were treated with respect by lawyers in the fi rms — 57 per cent indicated fears of long hours and never-ending work being thrown at you, but such experiences appear to be limited. Only three per cent said their work continued on into the evenings and weekends, while 48 per cent said they would have the occasional evening of extra work to complete. About the same number indicated their job was a typical 9 to 5. Enough with the work, and on to the really important things — like which interior designer did the fi rm hire? Almost 20 per cent felt the of- fi ces they were in every day were far too retro and badly in need of an ex- treme makeover. A lucky three per cent worked in what they described as something "pretty close to a pal- ace." The majority referred to their workplaces as warm and welcom- ing. Some people said having their own offi ce was a defi nite bonus, but that isn't to say that working closely with colleagues doesn't have its benefi ts as well. "I suppose the best 'perk' of the job was the close quarters we worked in as students, and the amazing sense of camaraderie that resulted," said one respondent. "My student co-workers were always quick to give up their evenings and offer to help one another out. By the end of the summer, we weren't just colleagues, we were friends." Speaking of perks, there were plenty to go around, with ev- erything from complimentary gym memberships, company golf tournaments, trips to other cities for court visits, and free 4STUDENTS SPRING 2009 19