First Step Scheme

Role Description

About You

1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?

A&O First Step was a great experience and offered first year law students a valuable insight into this Magical Circle law firm. The graduate recruitment team was so helpful, and the early insight that they give you into the Vacation Scheme application questions is invaluable. I really enjoyed the experience, particularly the opportunity to re-connect with university students that you met on your first day of the programme.

5/5

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

4/5

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

We received a great deal of much-needed guidance when it came to applying for future vacation schemes. This included early insight into the questions that would be on the application form before they were released. We were also given a talk by a partner who was involved in graduate recruitment informing us of interview tips and where most potential applicants tended to slip up.

5/5

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

The business game and negotiation exercise will hopefully help in the future for assessment days. Most valuable however was the opportunity to re-connect with students that we had met on the first day of the scheme and share experiences that we had had with applications or other law firms.

3/5

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The Company

5. How well structured was the insight?

Very well structured - both days were action packed with useful activities.

5/5

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6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?

Naturally the law students all seemed quite nervous at the beginning, but A&O tries very hard to be as welcoming as possible and puts you at your ease through some early ice-breakers.

4/5

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

On the first day there was a negotiation exercise and on the second day there was a business game, modelled on what would be handed to a prospective trainee at an assessment day.

4/5

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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?

The buddy programme allowed a small taster into the daily workings of a law firm in one particular seat and during networking events the lawyers were more than happy to tell you about their work.

3/5

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

Meeting the faces behind the firm name will definitely make a difference when applying for vacation schemes as you are aware of the collegiate, inclusive atmosphere that the firm projects.

4/5

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

It gave us a taster into life as a commercial lawyer, although perhaps more time spent shadowing our trainee buddy would have provided a greater insight.

3/5

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Everything Else

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

Reimbursed for travel expenses.

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

There were networking events on both days around lunchtime and afterwards with drinks.

4/5

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13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?

It was very enjoyable talking to a range of different lawyers working in various seats and the food is always great.

4/5

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

Yes - we found out about the pro bono initiatives that A&O encourage their fee-earners to take part in.

5/5

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15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?

Yes, definitely.

5/5

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