Anna is currently in her final seat, sitting in Core Real Estate. She studied law at Durham University before undertaking the LPC and commencing her training contract in March 2019. Here Anna speaks about how her Training Contract experience has been since Covid-19.
What has been your favourite/least favourite thing about working from home?
Favourite thing: More flexibility in my day, which can mean anything from more chances to fit in a work out or the ability to wear pyjamas all day!
Least favourite thing: While I catch up with other trainees and colleagues on the phone and over video, I miss the random chats that happen in the office, over lunch and at any impromptu drinks after work.
Has there been any unexpected challenges?
It has been harder learning about a new practice area virtually. When you’re in the office, you learn quite a lot by listening to other fee earners discuss matters or debate various legal developments. BCLP’s training definitely helps and my current team have a number of catch ups each week, but it is hard to replicate that more practical second-hand knowledge.
How you found starting in your fourth seat remotely compared to the first 2 seats?
It took me longer to adjust to the seat. It is, admittedly, a lot easier when you can just introduce yourself to everyone on your first day in a new team in the office and it can be harder to get involved with work you’re interested in when you aren’t interacting with everyone every day. However, it soon picked up and I had the chance to “meet” everyone individually in the first few weeks.
How have you gotten to know your new team and their dynamics?
I’ve always found that you become properly settled into a new team at some point during the second month, which is still true virtually. It’s just been important to make sure to call people and chat generally, as well as to discuss work.
If you could go back and talk to yourself as a first seater, what would you tell yourself?
I’d remind myself that mistakes happen to everyone, throughout their career, and to try and take them more in my stride.