Vacation Placement Student Review

by Pinsent Masons LLP

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
    4.3
  • The Company
    4.4
  • Everything Else
    4.5

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • The insight was great - I felt I got the opportunity to experience what it was like to work at the firm full time and the team was very friendly. I was made to feel very welcome and there were lots of events organised throughout the placement to increase your exposure to the firm.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • I felt very valued during my time with the firm. The team allocated me lots of varied work and I was trusted with some really interesting matters. I definitely felt like I was getting a hands on experience and that my input on matters was welcomed. Additionally, being invited to out of work events by colleagues made me feel like a part of the team.

    4/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • I was allocated a supervisor and a buddy and received regular guidance and feedback from both. I was also able to direct all my questions to them during the placement and they were able to respond effectively or direct me to where I could find the relevant information. Additionally, I felt able to ask all members of my team for guidance when required.

    4/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • I felt the skills I developed during the placement will be extremely relevant to both my further studies and my career. My research skills improved hugely. Not only am I now more able to digest large pieces of information and extract the relevant pieces, I am also a lot better at navigating key legal resources such as Lexis and Westlaw. This definitely helps me as I go on to my honours year and start my dissertation. I also improved my networking skills.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • The placement was well structured. As students were allocated across different departments we would all be working on different projects and different types of work, so the structure of your work was dictated by the department. Regular meet ups and lunches/socials were scheduled, and this allowed us to meet members of other teams and catch up with what we had each been working on.

    4/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • The atmosphere of the placement was very friendly and welcoming. Everyone within the firm made a genuine effort to welcome the summer students and ensure they helped make our placement enjoyable. Whilst some of the work was challenging and tested our skills, I felt very well supported and able to ask for help when it was needed. All in all, it was a very friendly place to work.

    5/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • The firm are obviously making a genuine commitment in graduate recruitment in terms of allowing students to pursue a paid placements. There were networking lunches and the opportunity to meet people who worked throughout the firm. Additionally, the placement was a great opportunity to gain vital skills required as a trainee solicitor and thus enhancing our employability in general. I felt that it was a genuine effort to help us in the process of finding a traineeship.

    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?
  • I definitely felt the placement helped me understand what it was like to be a full time employee. It was easy to see the firm's values reflected through the work done in all departments. We were doing the day to day work we can be expected to do as a trainee which was an excellent insight into life as a trainee with the firm. Additionally, we worked the same hours as our teams, giving us a true reflection of the day to day work at the firm.

    5/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • It was easy to see the company's culture whilst on placement. They really invest in their values and are supportive of staff in the workplace. There were many opportunities to see the voluntary work the firm does and also to explore the initiatives the firm has for diversity and inclusion. The company culture was further demonstrated by access to a few after work social events which really allowed us to see the investment the firm puts into its employees.

    5/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • The content of the scheme has been extremely valuable. I have had the chance to experience an area of law that I had never studied before or considered as a career path, and learned how it worked in practice. I think it has been great to see the practical approach to law - it is totally different from learning it as university and it has therefore been really valuable in ensuring I want to pursue a career in law.

    4/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
  • We were paid well for the scheme.


  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • There were many opportunities for networking throughout the placement. The first day was a full day induction and we met lots of people from many different locations and departments, and all the Scottish Vacation Placement Students were there so it was a nice opportunity to meet them. Additionally, there was a networking lunch with representatives from each department. There were also evening events where we had the opportunity to meet trainees and qualified solicitors.

    5/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • They were really well organised and facilitated lots of interesting discussions.

    4/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • I did, and twice during my placement I attended touch rugby with the firm. In addition, there were many other after work events we were invited to.

    5/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • I would definitely recommend this Vacation Placement to anyone considering a career in commercial law. There are lots of opportunities to make valuable connections with people at all levels of the profession and to develop the skills necessary for a career in law.

    5/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Scotland

June 2017


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