Vacation Scheme Student Review

by Herbert Smith Freehills

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.4/5
  • About You
    4.6
  • The Company
    4.5
  • Everything Else
    4.1

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?

    • Got an excellent insight into life in a city law firms. Naturally, it was difficult (as a non-law student) to get me involved to the fullest extent.

    4/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?

    • The firm made a huge effort to show us every department.

    5/5
  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?

    • I received personal - and most importantly, honest - guidance and advice as to whether the job was right for me, and which area of law I was most suited for,

    5/5
  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • Insight schemes are always problematic in this regard: nevertheless, as I came into the insight scheme relatively uninformed I learned an awful low in a very short period of time.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?

    • Seats were divided 2 weeks, then 1 week. The second seat may not have had quite as much time as I would have needed to get a perfect feel for the department.

    4/5
  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?

    • Regardless of department, the atmosphere was cheerful and relaxed.

    5/5
  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • Trainees, Associates at all levels and even partners took their time (in law, time is the biggest investment) to explain things to me personally.

    5/5
  • 8. To what extent did the insight help you to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company or firm?

    • To the extent that an insight scheme can really show you what full time life will be like, I feel I got an adequate picture. It did not seem anyone attempted to "cover up" the less enjoyable aspects of the job

    5/5
  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?

    • Culture is varied from department to department - it always depends who you end up with. Having experienced two departments, I feel relatively well informed about the corporate culture

    5/5
  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?

    • Extremely valuable in terms of career choice. The insight scheme confirmed my ambitions to follow a legal career path.

    5/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?

    • £350/week.

  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?

    • 4 Social events over three weeks. Any more would have almost been too many.

    5/5
  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?

    • Very well planned, - the firm seemed to spend quite a lot on social events. Very good mix of lawyers from all departments and levels. (Some events were just for students internally, which was an excellent opportunity to get to know the cohort)

    5/5
  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?

    • Presentation of clubs/associations and networks on one occasion.

    4/5
  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?

    • Definitely, I would recommend a vacation scheme at Herbert Smith to anyone interested in international commercial law.

    3/5
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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

London

September 2015

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