Vacation Scheme Student Review

The vacation scheme gave me excellent insight into the workings and environment of the firm. Everyone that was met at the firm were extermely welcoming and friendly. The work I was given was exciting and I felt I was given a good amount of responsibility. The socials were fantastic, and you were given as much support as you needed.

Because we were given a lot of responsibility during the scheme, I felt that I was valued a lot by the firm. Graduate recruitment and HR, as well as the trainees and supervisors, all supported you and gave you as much work as you could handle. Everyone was extremely welcoming, friendly and open which make me feel very comfortable interacting.

We were paired up with a supervisor and a trainee buddy throughout the 2 week scheme, who provided us with as much support and guidance as we felt we needed. I felt comfortable asking for help when needed. When given tasks they were often set to challange me, and I was always reassured to ask any questions or help if needed.

A fair bit. Working at a commercial firm is quite different from the academic study of law, in the way it applies in a practical sense. I have learnt to focus on finite detail and would say I have developed my logical thinking skills and how work applies to outside situations with wider implications. Beyond my degree, I have learnt to be a more effective communicator, especially by working with a diverse range of people with different personalities. One think that is evident from working at the firm is that positivity fosters positivity.

The scheme was very well structured. We recieved an in depth induction on day one which included IT training and health and safety. We were partnered up with a supervisor who would normally be a junior associate and a trainee buddy. We were given a lot of responsibility where we were given tasks but had to be proactive in seeking extra work. The organised socials were great. We had 'Focus On' sessions each day, which invovled a talk from each department in the firm. This gave me greater insight into have departments I would potentially want to work in in the future.

Throughout the scheme and at the firm, there is a real sense of friendliness and openness among the team. It is definately the most friendly firm I have come across. There was no feeling of a hierarchy, and everyone was treated as valued members.

I was given a lot of responsibility at the firm which I believe is the best way to learn. I was invited by various members of the firm to attend presentations by the managing partner and other various events. I had two appriasals, one at the end of each week, where we discussed in depth my strengths and weaknesses, which allowed me to improve. At the end of every completed task, meetings were schedulled to go through them and discuss how well the task was done.. I felt that I mean a real, valuable contribution to the firm since many of my tasks that I completed was or were to be used in the real sense.

I felt that it was given a real sense of what it would be like to have a full time role. I was given my own office which I shared with a senior associate or partner each week, and the work I was given was real, with a large amout of responsibility. This meant that I had to be proactive in getting work, and was left to my own devices in working things out. I had the opportunity to talk to members of the firm of their experiences also.

The scheme did not provide a mask to what the firm was really like. From day one I got a real sense of what the firm was like, that is, open and friendly. By being able to interact with as many people as you could, I was able to ask as many questions about the firm as possible, including why employees chose the firm over others.

I think that it is important that the content recieved is real in that it gives you a true sense of the working life. The conent I was exposed to confirmed that I do want a future career in commercial law. I think everyone has different expectations before doing a vacation scheme on the content they will recieve. The firm gave us a lot of content which is very important when coming to make a decision.

Yes. I was paid £550, £250 for each week. I believe that this was adequate for the experience I was given, and covered all of my travel expenses and more. Food was provided at many of the tasks held most day, sometimes including food for breakfast and lunch. The firm was very generous.

The firm provided pleanty of opportunities for networking with a wide range of people at the firm. This included a partner lunch, numerous social events throughout the scheme, and talks with each of the firms departments each day. We were encouraged by members of the firm to email and meet with others over coffee, ask questions and get to know as many people as possible.

We had numberous socials on the scheme. The most notable was the resturante and darts club we went to, with drinks after. The events were really fun and it also allowed everyone to get to know each other better in a more relaxed, casual setting. The firm was excellent with providing social event opportunities and I feel that the events chosen were beyond expectations.

I was sent regular emails on my work computer about activities that employees get involved in outside work, which included invites to participate. I had to opportunity to play football and rugby with the firm. By talking to various members of the firm I was able to find out more about what other activities employees get involved in outside of work.

I had a brillaint time on the vacation scheme and would highly recommend it to a friend. Everyone you meet at the firm is extremely friendly and welcoming, and the work you are given is both exciting and challanging. I felt that I had made real connections with everyone I ha met, including all of those that pariticpated in the vacation scheme.