Vacation Scheme Review

by PwC

Best Student Employer

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
    4.4
  • The Company
    4.5
  • Everything Else
    4.3

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • It was an excellent opportunity to really understand and appreciate the work and culture of the firm. There was a good balance of fun events but tasks that were challenging and thought-provoking. Throughout the insight you were paired up with a trainee buddy but all the trainees, in whatever seat you sat in, were welcoming and helpful. They really did answer any questions or concerns you had at any time. Everyone took time out to give feedback when needed and it really showed that they wanted to see you develop.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • There were a range of tasks from printing, to researching tasks and even actively participating in meetings. Despite being only in a seat in a week all the team members did make an effort to introduce themselves and to always make sure you were ok (or had something at your desk!) Naturally, there were very busy transactions where it was quite difficult to squeeze in a vac schemer as the work was so complicated but if that was the case, whatever small task they get you to do, solicitors were good at giving the bigger picture so you really felt like you were useful and able to understand more what you were doing (even if it was trivial).

    4/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • There was excellent guidance and support by everyone, not only your assigned buddy. You really felt like you could approach anyone if you were struggling. Also, as we were not competing against our fellow vac schemers there was a lot of guidance and support from within that family and you were able to chew over some difficult tasks together and provide help if any were struggling.

    5/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • It really affirmed that I wanted to be a solicitor in a multi-disciplinary practice like PwC. I was able to continue developing key important skills like drafting, networking and time-keeping. The pace and nature of the work meant it was also unlike other work experience, where you really get immersed and have to really show off the skills you already have. Everyone that gave you a task was always open though to give feedback if they felt there was a skill you could develop and they were positive and not secretive about it.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • There were three seats in three different departments, so in that way you got a real flavour of each department. At least one day of the week included further information on PwC or an activity that was enjoyable like a mock tribunal or a treasure hunt. In the evenings there were planned events as well which was a really good time to let down your hair a little bit. The whole insight felt structured and clear. Sometimes, in the seats though lawyers would be going in between the different offices that PwC has and sometimes desks were emptier than normal making it trickier to find work to do!

    4/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • It was a fantastic atmosphere. Genuinely friendly and good-natured. Feedback was positive and always there if you asked. Despite being assessed, you were still given an opportunity to work with your fellow vac schemers and ask the trainees anytime for help. It was a positive feeling which really cemented my desire to work there.

    5/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • They were very keen to develop you and always gave individual and constructive feedback on mostly everything. There were a lot of different opportunities where they said up-front that you were being assessed on a certain activity so you could prepare yourself and really push yourself on those tasks but they also let you know along the way of what they expected you to do and encouraged healthy collaboration

    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?
  • Being with the firm, and doing the normal tasks a trainee would be expected you to do really gave a taste of what you would expect. Sometimes, work would come in stages where you have little to no work and sometimes a lot of work but at all times that gave you an appreciation of how departments can work sometimes when there is a busy transaction.

    5/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • It did so much as I felt very comfortable and positive. The culture varies slightly from seat to seat which was also interesting to see. Even seats that I did not do I was able to learn honestly from other vac schemers what they were like so was able to piece together what the different varying cultures were. However, the over-arching ethos of the company was one of helping and challenging you - which I loved!

    5/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • The content was helpful as I was always explained the bigger picture and could see what other lawyers were doing as well. Sometimes though, as we were only a week in the firm, different vac schemers got to experience different things. As is the nature though the taster made us understand that that was what it really was - just a taster, and there was so much more to challenge us in our 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 opportunities to meet trainees and the solicitors in your department. There was also a partner night but not many partners attended. Solicitors from each department gave us a talk though about their area of law which was very helpful but I felt could have been more interactive or broken up.

    4/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • Fun and they always chose some very interesting and cool places - a fantastic mexican bar, a ping pong pizza place and even the Royal Courts of Justice! Partner night was meant to be a good networking event and I did meet some really interesting and engaging partners but it was sparsely attended and not as well organised as some of the other events.

    4/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • I did a lot from my buddy who took time out to talk about the different things there were. There were some unique ones as well like dodgeball and yachting.

    5/5

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

    5/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Audit, Commercial Banking, Legal/Law

London

November 2017


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