Vacation Scheme Review

It was such a great experience, there was the right mixture of workshops and interactive group exercises to improve our skills and have fun with the other vacation schemers as well as time at our desks with our trainers. The social events were such good fun too!!!

Everyone was so friendly to each other on the scheme, the Grad Recruitment girls are all super friendly and fun. My trainee buddy, my trainer and everyone in the department made sure I had some job to do, was coping with the tasks, and made me feel really welcome. Whether it was just introducing themselves, or even going out for lunch or coffee, it was great.

I received a lot of support throughout the scheme. We saw the Graduate Recruitment Team every day, even if just for an hour or so, so it was great to join back with everyone. They called us and kept in email contact, so you never felt alone or negatively overwhelmed. In terms of the work, my trainer was great, and I could ask her any questions. My trainee buddy, and the other trainees in the department all said that I could ask them if I thought a question was too silly to ask my trainer, and offered to go out for coffee if we wanted any advice.

The skills I've developed will be invaluable for my working life, and hopefully if I get a job offer here at A&O it will be even more useful. I've learnt and developed skills such as presenting, negotiating, and time management, as well as just being able to sit in a client call, or help draft some documents, or collect signatures for a deal.

It was really well structured. The first day or two was pretty hectic when they were inducting us, but that's inevitable at any scheme and I think it was a really good way of doing it; throughout the scheme there was always at least one event on per day, but towards the latter part of the 2 weeks, there were fewer events as we grew more comfortable with going to our desk and meeting up with the other vacation schemers off our own backs.

It was such a lovely two weeks, useful, interesting and just a lot of fun. The best thing is that at A&O they take on significantly fewer vac schemers than they do to the training contract, so it never gets horribly competitive trying to beat another person to a job offer. You will receive one if they think you're the right fit. Also the social events were always fun and everyone got on really well. We had to do a pitch exercise where we present to two partners and the other vac schemers and working with a team for that ended up being a lot of fun, despite the early nerves. By the end of the two weeks everyone was getting on so well, and everyone was genuinely very sad to leave!!

All members of the firm, from trainees through to partners took the time to talk to you, sit down with you, and offer you any advice. Clearly a lot of money is invested in the workshops, and in the social events, so you really feel like A&O want you too, it's not just a one-sided 'please give me a job' scheme.

It was very useful for that purpose. No one tried to hide the fact that as a lawyer you will work long hours, but they also stressed, and did this in practice, that there is actually time to have a life; to manage your time, see friends, and that you can just leave the office if you need to.

This is so helpful for this purpose. I was apprehensive before I came, thinking 'oh what if everyone is boring, or stuffy', the typical stereotypical solicitor, but everyone was beyond helpful, friendly, chatty, and you looked forward to seeing the people every day which was great, it wasn't just doing an interesting workshop, or dinner that you looked forward to.

It was completely invaluable. I'm 100% committed to being a commercial solicitor and I'm hoping I get a job offer from this because I would love to work here, qualify and do the job that the people I've met do. It also removed any doubts I had about the people there that they wouldn't be friendly, and I had a great time!

The payment, £400/week acts as payment and to cover expenses, and is a really reasonable sum!

There were different opportunities every day, and what was also nice is that it didn't just seem like the classic networking, but just like meeting people at the firm, getting to know the people there. I met people from such a range of seniority levels, with even the senior partner taking time out to meet us all which was a great touch. We also helped with some prospective vacation schemers and future applicants which was a lovely touch too!

We had 3 evenings of timetabled social events, and had quite a few evenings in the bar in the office which was great. The first day of a pub quiz turned out to be really funny, and a great memory. We also had an event at a table tennis bar with our trainee buddies which was cool and interactive, rather than just standing in a bar/room. The dinner at the Connaught hotel at the end of the two weeks was a particular highlight. 5 partners came along too which was a great touch, and we all had a lot of lovely alcohol, food, and even ventured to the bar afterwards. Such great memories.

Yes. We had pro bono workshops, and I know someone who played in their department's football league! We learnt just how people have time to socialise which is always nice to hear!

Most definitely!