Thorntons recently welcomed interns - Bruna Cruz and Elisha Abraham - through the Black Professionals UK Internship Programme, giving them the opportunity to gain practical workplace experience, develop new skills and explore what their future careers could look like. As a host organisation, we support the programme as part of its wider commitment to creating opportunities for aspiring professionals and helping people from different backgrounds gain meaningful exposure to the legal sector. We caught up with Bruna and Elisha to hear more about what attracted them to the programme, what they have learned and how the experience has shaped their career ambitions.
What attracted you to apply for this internship?
Bruna: "What attracted me was the skills I would develop that would be useful for my future career. I was hoping to gain skills in governance and standardisations as well as data literacy, project coordination and analytics.
Elisha: "I applied because I wanted to gain practical experience within a law firm and develop a clearer understanding of what a career in law looks like beyond the academic environment. I was particularly keen to build my professional confidence and explore my interests within the legal profession."
Why is it important to have an opportunity like this early on in your career?
Elisha: "Early exposure to the profession is valuable because there is a significant difference between studying law and applying it in practice. My internship at Thorntons has allowed me to bridge that gap through practical experience and has given me a clearer understanding of the professional skills and standards expected within a law firm."
Bruna: "An opportunity like this allowed me to see first-hand how the environment works and the different roles that exist within the firm. Over the course of the internship, I tackled new challenges which gave me an early opportunity to learn how to handle these situations and be better prepared in the future."
What projects have you been involved in, and what's been the most interesting task so far?
Bruna: "I've engaged in different types of work such as auditing job descriptions, learning about job families and their levels, drafting job role profiles, and tracking all of this to keep the systems organised. I also enjoyed having the opportunity to attend court."
Elisha: "I particularly enjoyed the hands-on nature of working in residential property. Drafting and registrations gave me an insight into the technical aspects of the work, while attending client meetings has allowed me to see how solicitors apply their knowledge to real client matters."
How has this internship shaped your understanding of what a career in law actually looks like?
Elisha: "The internship has given me a more realistic understanding of the profession. Working within residential property has shown me that being a solicitor involves more than applying legal knowledge. It also requires strong communication, organisation, attention to detail, understanding of the client’s objectives, and how legal advice is translated into practical solutions."
Bruna: "The internship showed me that different sectors are more interlinked than what I expected, and because each department needs one another, clear communication is extremely important."
What would you say to someone from a similar background applying for this internship next year?
Bruna: "I would say that although everything seems a bit overwhelming or complicated in the beginning, it all eventually falls into place. I would also tell them not to be afraid to ask for help or feedback."
Elisha: "I would encourage them to apply, even if they don’t have their career path fully mapped out yet. The internship provides an opportunity to gain practical experience, build professional confidence and develop a realistic understanding of the legal profession. I would also encourage them to ask questions, engage with those around them and make the most of every opportunity to learn!"
To find out more about our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and the initiatives we support, visit our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging page.