Insight Review at Stephenson Harwood

The Role

Role Description

Attend lectures about the firm. You will be assigned a department to work in (you get some choice in this before attending) and be given a supervisor and a 'buddy' (who will be a trainee). You will be given work to do by your supervisor and can ask others in the department for work to keep you busy. Work may consist of legal research, proofreading, business research, helping organise documents.

There is also an assessment day which consists of a group exercise, a written exercise, a presentation (which you have about a week prior to the placement to prepare), and an interview. This is the assessment for a Training Contract.

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

It was very good, but as you are assessed during the vacation placement it always feels slightly tense.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The people were a top bunch!

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The people I spoke to were all really encouraging and helpful.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I was given enough to keep me occupied, but didn't feel busy in comparison to how busy the actual department was. So the workload for the vacation scheme students isn't a bad reflection on the firm at all.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I think it would have been unwise to give vacation students any more responsibility than I had as we are not qualified solicitors.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

It was an insight into the working of a City firm rather than a training or skills development session. The insight was very good though.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

It was very busy but people still had a chat with each other and got on very well.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• Company Parties/Events

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

It was in the City of London so it's very expensive in the immediate vicinity of the office.

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Very close to Shoreditch where there's plenty of places to go out.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

I was only on a week long placement so this question (and a few others) aren't representative of working at the firm for longer.

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

As mentioned previously, I was only on a week long placement so some questions aren't representative of working at the firm for longer.

Go in with a positive attitude, speak to everyone, ask for work, enjoy yourself!

Review 33/37 for Stephenson Harwood

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