Thursday, February 17, 2011

Is attachment a waste of time?

These days, the word 'attachment' brings to mind that which we attach to our email, either a verbose article, a spreadsheet, pictures or even a video clip.

But attachment could mean a short period in a legal firm to get a feel of the practical side of being a lawyer. Other places might call it 'internship', a term made popular by Monica Lewinsky in the White House.

At LoyakBurok, LLVL thinks most attachments are a waste of time:

http://www.loyarburok.com/the-system/talking-about-lawyers/attachments-are-a-waste-of-time/

I have given my views too, though not entirely relevant, in their comment section, which I wish to share :

"You have your points about attachment which presumably is similar to internship in other establishments. Though I cannot speak on attachment in legal firms, internship in other places has its merits.

We cannot escape the mundane aspect of juniors’, "punching, stapling, binding and photocopying”, and coffee-making and errand-running if I may add, when starting work in their new places of work.

From what I have seen and gathered, some of the important aspects of internship include getting to know the business or practical side of the firm. To someone without any working experience, it is revelation of sorts, dispelling any of his or her myth or misconception about the profession or business.

A young man (school leaver) who went to a relation’s accounting firm for a month, decided that being an accountant as a profession is definitely out for him. A young lady who was interned with an international consultancy firm gained invaluable insight (as part of the firm’s recruitment team) which helped her when applying for a job in an MNC.

We should not underestimate the chance of meeting the right persons, especially in a large organization, which might be helpful in the process of networking and for future prospects.

I feel to dismiss attachment as a waste of time which does not make any difference is being too simplistic and harsh. Having a few attachment experiences is like having worked in a few places but in shorter periods. Though it might be true in some cases that ‘a rolling stone gathers no moss’, the varied experience would have at least widened the person’s perspective and enriched his or her writing, for instance, if nothing else!"

"I would agree with Noreen that one should take the opportunity to read materials available and ‘be alert on what’s going on around you’. An attachment, internship or the old articleship (when one even had to pay to be able to work in a firm!), is like being allowed into a private office and stay to listen and gather what is going on in the process of learning. To a keen learner, it is a godsend opportunity. To a busybody, it is also an opportunity to private gossips about the inner circles! Anyway, the main difference seems to be the individual, whether he or she makes good use of the opportunity.

Being ‘bullied’ is quite common. There was once an Indian Singaporean graduate who was articled to a firm of accountants in UK. He did his national service and his rank was Lieutenant before he joined. At the firm, the Audit Manager used to tell him to make him a cup of coffee with a ‘it’s nice to be served by a Lieutenant once a while!’


Link

No comments:

Post a Comment