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Work Experience Case Study: Natasha

Personal details
Degree:French & Social Anthropology (WIYA) .
School(s): School of Modern Languages, School of Philosophy, Anthropology & Film Studies
Year of Graduation:Jun-2013
LinkedIn:
National of: United Kingdom
Employment details
Organisation: Virgile Avocats/LPLG Avocats
Job title: Internship
Occupational Sector: Solicitor
How did you find out about the opportunity ?

I was lucky enough that a family contact referred me to Virgile Avocats, a commercial law firm in Paris, while searching for a work placement for my year abroad. I asked Virgile Avocats if they had any contacts in an aviation law firm also in Paris and they put me in touch with LPLG Avocats.

How did you apply ?

I firstly sent my covering letter, CV and references (in French and English) to Virgile Avocats. I was then offered an interview at their office in Paris which I flew out for.

For LPLG Avocats, I sent my covering letter and CV in French and mentioned that Virgile Avocats had suggested I got in touch with them.

How were you selected ?
The interview was in front of 2 lawyers at Virgile Avocats and consisted of questions in French about why I wanted to work there and what I could bring to the firm. Having been to Paris for my interview, they emailed me to confirm that I would start a 9 month internship with them in August 2010.

With LPLG Avocats, I was lucky enough to be accepted for an internship without an interview and they sent me a letter to confirm this.

I would say that being yourself is very important especially when applying for an international internship. With a potential language barrier, it is important to really show who you are and what you can bring to a company.

Why were you successful?

To get my first internship, Virgile Avocats were particularly encouraged by the fact I am undertaking a degree in the target language; French. They also were pleased to see that I carry out extra-activities such as sport (mainly lacrosse) and flying, showing teamwork skills and independence. They need to know that you will be able to embrace not only a new job, but a new country.

Getting the internship at LPLG Avocats was made possible due to the 9 months I spent at Virgile Avocats and having a good reference to prove my work ethic and capabilities. Also, the fact that I have my pilot’s licence and I have a great passion for aviation encouraged them that I would be a good candidate to work in an aviation law firm.

What skills/ knowledge from your degree have you found particularly helpful in this role?

The language skills gained from my degree were particularly helpful seeing as I could only speak in French whilst working.

What have you been doing?

At Virgile Avocats, I did research in the mornings, mainly on the differences between English Trust Law and French Fiducie. In the afternoons, I worked on reception, welcoming clients and helping with the administration of the firm. I worked from 9am-6pm, with a 1 hour lunch break. I worked alongside 15 lawyers. There was a huge age range, but not many younger people, so unfortunately I did not socialize after work. However, birthdays and special occasions were always celebrated with champagne and macaroons!

At LPLG Avocats, I worked as an intern, reading over dossiers and shadowing one of the partners at his hearings. I worked from 9am-7pm, again with a 1 hour lunch break. There were 12 lawyers and 4 other interns. There was a lot more socializing in this firm. I ate lunch with the other interns and we would meet up aside from at work.
What are the main things you have gained from this experience?
My experience in France taught me a lot about the working world. I learnt a lot about the French legal system and my commercial awareness has greatly improved. I learnt also how important it is to act professionally in order to gain respect from colleagues. It was a fantastic experience and one that I would thoroughly recommend undertaking before leaving university.