Vacation Scheme Review

by Shearman & Sterling LLP

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.6/5
  • About You
    4.4
  • The Company
    4.7
  • Everything Else
    4.9

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • I really enjoyed my two week winter vacation scheme. I thought there was a good mix of social events alongside genuine legal work experience. I found everyone at the firm (from trainee level to partner) very friendly, supportive and welcoming. I didn't feel like I was constantly being assessed and felt like I was able to be myself, which definitely made the experience more enjoyable.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • I think I was valued quite highly at the firm, even as a vac-schemer. I felt appreciated when I completed work for colleagues, who also spent time to explain tasks and give feedback once they were completed. Having only spent two weeks at the firm, however, I think there is a limit to how much you can really bring to the team and how valued you are compared to, for example, a ten week internship or full-time job but for the time I spent in each department I definitely felt valued I just would not describe it as "like family"!

    4/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • I received a really good amount of support during the vacation scheme. I thought it was well organised and so I did not really need any extra support from graduate recruitment during the insight as we were always well-informed as to what activities had been planned. When being explained tasks by trainees and associates, I always felt able to ask for further guidance and this was always met with helpful responses.

    5/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • 4/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • 5/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • 5/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • 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 found the scheme extremely useful in offering an insight into what it would be like to have a full time role with the firm. I thought it was most helpful to be able to see the culture of the firm first hand for an extended period of time, as often open days are too short to allow you to gain an genuine perspective. Even though the vacation scheme hours were 9-5pm (not an accurate representation of training contract hours), I was able to speak to trainees in my departments to gauge an idea of the fluctuations in working hours,

    5/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • 5/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • 5/5

    Everything Else

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

  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • There were plenty of networking events with lawyers from all levels of the firm. I found these really enjoyable, as well as informative.

    5/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • Alongside the networking events, there were also social events organised just for the vac-schemers which I thought was really nice as it allowed us to get closer as a group in a more informal environment. This has had a lasting impact as I am still good friends with the other students and it will make starting the LPC and training contract a lot easier as there was a high proportion of offers and acceptance on my particular scheme.

    5/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • 5/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • 5/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Commercial Law

London

September 2017


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