Work Experience Student Review

I thought the two days provided an incredibly useful insight into Allen and Overy. In particular, talking to my trainee buddy allowed me to see what life at Allen and Overy was really like. I also found the presentations by the graduate recruitment team as well as the business challenge both useful and engaging.

I felt very valued by Allen and Overy, The fact we were given tips on applying to the firm for both vacation schemes and training contracts made me feel like they really wanted me to apply to the firm and possibly work for them in the future. The fact that the scheme was so personalised also made me feel valued as it showed they had put real effort into making the scheme useful and interesting.

I received plentiful guidance in many different forms. Firstly, when I worked with my trainee buddy on a research project, he gave me lots of guidance on the best methods to both research and present my findings. I was also given lots of support regarding future applications to the firm and law firms in general such as advice on how to present myself and tips for a successful interview.

The skills I learnt wouldn't, in my opinion, help in my legal studies as they were quite vocational. However, beyond this I think the scheme will assist me a lot in terms of my career progressions. In particular, learning how to manage my own personal brand was incredibly interesting and novel, and I will bear that in mind throughout my future career.

The scheme was very well structured. The first day was structured so that we had a variety of isights into the firm. Firstly, we had a talk from a partner followed my tips from the graduate recruitment team. We then had a session with our trainee buddies in the afternoon. The second day was also well structured: we got to meet our trainee buddies again and then got to do a business partner before meeting with further members of the graduate recruitment team.

The atmosphere was very inviting and warm. It did not seem artificial but rather that the team actually cared about us and would do if we were to work at the firm. This was due to, on the first day, being talked to from not only the graduate recruitment but a partner too. Also, on the second day, the trainees, associates and partners were willing to talk about their work in detail and truthfully.

They invested a lot in us. I felt the firm put a lot of time, effort and money into ensuring we had a well rounded experience and would leave as not only students but future lawyers. This was done through the lunches where we could talk to a variety of professionals, the business challenge, the talks specific to managing our own brands and the personal sessions with our trainers buddies.

The insight was very helpful in showing what it would be like to have a full time role at the firm. This was due to talking to the trainees and associates from a variety of departments who demonstrated how the workload and its consistency varied depending on which department you chose to work in. This was also possible through the business challenge as it showed the importance of commercial awareness when working at the firm.

It was useful fir the reasons stated above.

The day really helped me to decide my future career path. This was because it showed what working as a commercial lawyer, particularly at an international firm like Allen and Overy, was really like. The business challenge in particular revealed to me how much I would enjoy working there as you get to think about legal issues from a commercial standpoint in providing solutions to your clients.

Travel expenses reimbursed.

There were plenty of opportunities for networking. Firstly, I was able to establish personal rapport with the graduate recruitment team in talking to them about the firm and how they recruit people. Then, with the trainees and especially my trainee buddy, I gained a greater understanding about what working at Allen and Overy would be like. Finally, talking to partners was a great networking opportunity.

There were plenty of opportunities for networking which were very useful. Firstly, I was able to establish personal rapport with the graduate recruitment team in talking to them about the firm and how they recruit people. Then, with the trainees and especially my trainee buddy, I gained a greater understanding about what working at Allen and Overy would be like. Finally, talking to partners was a great networking opportunity.

Yes, I found out a lot about the activities employees get involved in outside work. Firstly, a number of lawyers were involved in pro bono work such as helping the young people in the area from disadvantaged backgrounded access careers like law. Secondly, a number of lawyers described how they were involved in the firm's sports teams. Finally, they said that there were a number of social events organised by the firm throughout the year.

I would definitely recommend the insight to a friend. It provided a realistic, engaging and useful insight into life as a commercial lawyer as well as what a working life in the city would entail regardless of what firm one is at. It also helped dispel any myths that law is for a particular type of person as the firm was incredibly international and had trainees with all sorts of personalities and from all different backgrounds. It is really the best thing around for first years interested in commercial law.