What do previous interns have to say about STEP UP?
What’s it really like undertaking a STEP UP internship? Here’s what some of our previous applicants have to say about their experiences.
Testimonials
This internship was a wonderful experience for me. I was able to put into practice everything I had learned during my academic journey, and it was a very enriching experience where I had the opportunity to learn from extraordinary people with exceptional expertise in their field. It was a remarkable internship where diversity and inclusion were clearly highlighted, and I was encouraged to ask any questions I had, which helped me feel confident about my career choice. Through this internship, I discovered the different legal professions within these two large companies, which had exceptional legal departments ready to listen to me and help me whenever I had any concerns or questions. I also understood the importance of a lawyer’s role within a company. This internship gave me greater confidence in myself, helped me open up to others and the world, and made me realize that there is nothing I cannot achieve if I give myself the chance to do so.
Mélika Ouédraogo, intern at Axens and Capgemini
The Step Up program has been pivotal for helping me get into the legal field. At University I learnt about law through a theoretical lens. Starting the internship at FedEx was the perfect transition into the working world, it equipped me with the confidence and skills I needed. My internship at American Express has improved my legal network and I am excited to see how my career progresses.
Liz Awa, intern at FedEx and American Express
Even learning about the existence of the Step-Up program was encouraging. I was not the only one with difficulties and there were people who were aware of this. Being part of this program made me feel really successful and allowed me to get to know the working environment I wanted.
I experienced different ways of working in two international companies such as FedEx and Nippon Gases, two pioneers in their sectors, in a very enjoyable way with the invaluable support of my mentors and colleagues. It was a real pleasure to be able to use what you learnt in the real world and to get positive feedback.
Mete Doğan, intern at FedEx and Nippon Gases
The Step Up program has truly been a transformative experience, I had the opportunity to explore various areas of law ranging from employment, commercial, intellectual property and many more in two different industries!
This internship has aided both my professional and personal development, as I have been able to get hands on experience about producing contract summaries and review NDA’s. It has been such a rewarding experience and I am grateful for every moment!
Precious Adegoke, intern at FedEx and SSP Group
As someone who had previously worked in government, I can confidently say that the program delivered on its promise. Thanks to the Step Up internship, I now have a clear understanding of what a legal department does within a company and the skillsets that are necessary for professionals in this field.
Ahmet Rasim Unal, intern at Booking.com and Capgemini
What I particularly appreciated about this internship was the opportunity to carry out real and significant tasks, comparable to those entrusted to an in-house legal counsel. This gave me the feeling of making a concrete contribution to the company. I was also very impressed by the educational approach of my managers, who took the time to explain to me in detail the importance of their missions and how they fit into the company. What's more, all the people I met during the internship were very willing to answer my questions, which reinforced my feeling of being part of the team.
Assa Intern at Publicis
Participating in the StepUp Program was an incredibly positive experience for our team. Having a young, bright intern with a diverse background added immense value to our team, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Thank you to the entire STEP-UP Team for their support in making this happen!
Anne-Sophie Stappers, SD Worx
Working at FedEx is above all working as a team, certainly the research is individual but the contact is very close between the teams. This is its strength, a united mentality and outstanding experience. I also learned that the legal team was very multidisciplinary, indeed I initially said to myself that they would do in the legal and regulatory provisions, but I realized that it is a large panel of activities that go from health and safety to lobbying.
Zahra Kachar, STEP UP Legal Intern, Belgium
This internship so far helped me put my studies to date with the requirements of legal counseling, and this in multiple fields such as transport law, real estate law, and others. I acquired new skills in contract drafting, legal monitoring, etc... Thus giving me areal idea of what would be working as a legal counselor and how to implement what I was taught in my legal studies.
Imrane Boulaiche, STEP UP Legal Intern, France
I really like how the FedEx legal department is supporting me as an intern and how they facilitate my participation in the team’s work on my scale. I’m clearly not left alone and I learn more and more everyday, while being perfectly integrated in the team.
Imrane Boulaiche, STEP UP Legal Intern, France
I learned that “you don’t have to be able to think as just a law student, you have to think with the scope of the whole company.”
Dabo Danfakha, France
I learned to “understand my role as a legal representative in such a big corporation.”
Natasha Messenger, the Netherlands
I learned that “being a legal counsel, you don’t really focus on a specific field of law. You may be an IP lawyer, but you’ll be busy with something based on compliance also.”
Habiba Seidu, the Netherlands