Trainee perspective: Legal Trainees x Seniors -breakfast – What did we learn
We recently gathered for a breakfast event with a few of our firm’s attorneys-at-law, Partner Helena Kalmanlehto, Counsel Ida Lindfors and Senior Associate Tuomas Rudanko, to hear about their career paths and discuss different stages of working in the legal field. Alongside a good breakfast, the morning offered open conversation and valuable insights from our more experienced colleagues about lessons learned both during their trainee years and beyond.
Key takeaways from the discussion
The breakfast discussion brought up several practical and valuable pieces of advice that we can carry with us throughout our traineeships and future careers. Here are three that stood out to us:
1. Ask questions and be open to feedback.
There is no such thing as a pointless question. When receiving an assignment, it’s always worth asking as many clarifying questions as needed to fully understand the task. Being open to feedback is one of the most valuable tools for professional growth as it’s personal, insightful, and helps you develop faster.
2. Stay open to new experiences.
An open and curious mindset to different types of tasks and areas of law is very beneficial to the individual. Trying out different kinds of tasks in various areas of law can lead to unexpected interests and sometimes even reveal a passion you didn’t know you had. In fact, many lawyers’ career paths have been shaped by chance after taking on tasks in unfamiliar areas of law with an open mind.
3. Find balance.
Being a lawyer can be demanding but also deeply rewarding. That’s why it is important to recognise your own limits and take care of your wellbeing. Maintaining balance between work and personal life helps sustain your energy, motivation, and enthusiasm in the long run.
For us trainees, the breakfast was a relaxed yet highly valuable way to connect with our firm’s senior lawyers. It was inspiring to hear about their diverse experiences and realise how many different paths a legal career can take. Gaining advice from those who have already walked the same road is truly invaluable.
From all the insights shared, one message especially stayed with us: no matter what stage of our careers we are in, it’s always worth being diligent, thorough, and reliable. These qualities will carry us far.
-Tyyra & Anna
