Vacation Scheme Student Review

I really liked the Vacation scheme as it was very well structured and introduced me to wonderful people at the firm and to the variety of work that that the firm undertakes. It gave a very holistic view to what my life could look like whilst working at HSF, which I appreciated.

I honestly did feel like a part of the team and was sad to leave my team/ supervisor by the end of the week as I did become (or at least I felt like) I became one of them! This is a small instance, but just being copied on all important email, made me feel very included.

The Graduate Recruitment team was very hands on, and if ever we needed or wanted anything, be it an introduction to another team in another practice area, they ensured we got it. They have been extremely forthcoming and helpful!

I think the skills with respect to working in a professional environment that I acquired over the past two weeks will stay with me throughout my life and will help me in my future endeavours across the horizon.

The insight was very well structured and we were aware of all from before which was good and allowed us to manage our time effectively.

The work atmosphere, supervisors, generally people at the office and at events, were amazing, warm and friendly!

The firm invested a fair bit in our training and development in that there were several seminars and workshops for us that were interactive and there was also a networking workshop, This workshop was especially helpful in that it took place just before an event with the Partners and in a way allowed us to use apply all we learnt instantaneously!

I definitely can imagine myself at the firm now. The experience was very holistic in this manner and allowed us in two weeks to envision our life and what it could look like at the firm. The fact that you sit in with the Supervisors as their replacement trainees for a week and get to observe them minutely through the weeks is a great learning experience.

I did get to know a lot about the Company culture and this was primarily through all the events that were organised for us especially with the trainees. The Trainee Q&A was especially helpful in that it allowed us to understand what we could expect from the firm in terms of growth and investment in personal development.

The days were diverse depending on your seat. But from my experience I knew before going in I wanted to be a lawyer and one hopefully in the city and practicing commercial law, so for me it was reaffirming of my choice of future (my experience on the scheme). However, if one is not sure as well, the scheme was structured to give an introduction to the life of a trainee at a global city law firm.

This was a paid vacation scheme and that was especially helpful for me as I was coming from India and hence had to invest considerably (financially) in order to make it to the Scheme. The allowance was definitely adequate (more than) to live and work in the city for two weeks, comfortably.

Yes there were many events from presentations to individual meet-ups to networking drinks and quizzes with partners. All of these events presented an opportunity to talk to more people at the firm - from the trainees to the partners. It also allowed us to see what motivated so many people to continue working for the firm for decades and gain an insight into that.

The networking and social opportunities were numerous and diverse. There were plenty of opportunities which we could have accessed through our two weeks at the firm and were encouraged to meet people we wanted to, in line with the people or work area that we were interested in knowing more about.

Yes, there were posters around the office about a music training group that you could be a part of. There is also a Cycle to Work scheme and running groups people can be a part of. We discovered more of these through interacting with trainees and were told that there is always space for more activities and that the firm is pro active about a life outside the office as well.

Yes! I would definitely recommend this vacation scheme to my friend as it was a wonderful experience and a challenging but reaffirming two weeks for me. It gives you the opportunity to work with the best legal minds in the country and observe them in their element while doing a host of fun activities and getting to know a bunch of other students from various courses and from across the world!