Meet previous graduates
Saughter and May has previously run a number of schemes for graduates in different areas.
Hear more about their experience of working in Saughter and May and their hints and tips to those who are considering applying.
When I left university, by chance I fell into working in the B2C marketing and events. 18 months after leaving university, I was considering the next step in my career. I knew I wanted to work for a bigger professional services firm and I also wanted the opportunity to try out different areas. When I discovered the Academy programme it brought together everything I was looking for in my next role.
I thoroughly enjoyed the scheme, the rotational element gave me the opportunity to experience roles I hadn’t considered before such as working in PR & Communications. Working with such a wide range of individuals across the firm was a particular highlight - from partners, to the responsible business team to technology. The tasks and projects you work on are vast, and as a result the network you can create as a graduate is fantastic.
I learnt to be open to working on a range of projects. From doing that, I learnt that I have a real interest in data. Prior to the scheme, I would’ve said maths isn’t my strong point and therefore neither is data. The programme taught me that firstly data doesn’t have to be numerical, but also that you don’t know what interests you may discover - and it’s lead me to my role today.
A huge positive of the scheme was the ability to take learnings from one team to another. You’re in a unique position as a graduate to embed yourself in each team, which helps you to understand how one team operates and you can take those learning to another team. This can help improve processes and create links that might have otherwise not been spotted.
Get involved with as much as you can! When you’re new it can seem daunting to volunteer yourself for certain projects or work, but everyone is so supportive. I would encourage graduates to get involved with a range of work and outside of the day-to-day role, there’s plenty of volunteering opportunities and networks you can join to meet lots of people across the firm!
In a niche role previously that worked closely with solicitors, I was looking to branch into the legal industry and wasn’t sure how I would do this. The scheme offered a fantastic chance to broaden my horizons - the opportunity to work across four different teams was a great way to enhance my skillset and provided the freedom I was after to carve my own career path.
No top firm can function without a dedicated team of business professionals behind the scenes. I’ve learned so much about company strategy – from web design to client targeting – and how many elements a business needs to consider when striving to grow and develop.
The scheme’s helped me to manage a variety of projects and stakeholders (often at the same time!). A fast-paced environment teaches you a lot about effective time management and clear communication. Changing seats every six months is a test of adaptability, allowing you to stay well-rounded and turn your hand to anything!
Doing your research goes a long way. Understanding the firm and the markets we operate in is key to being good at what we do. Something as simple as reading the news can highlight a new strategic direction - the Commercial Team is large and multi-functional; all ideas are welcome!