Vacation Scheme Student Review

I really enjoyed the insight at SPB. There was quite a small number of students undertaking the insight, so we had a good level of contact time with each other and people within the firm. A lot of time was spent in department, which was interesting and I feel gave a good insight into what life would be like as a trainee. Trainees and departments from across the firm were more than happy to dedicate some time to having a chat about the firm. We were also kindly invited to attend the firm's Christmas social on the Thursday evening.

As mentioned, I felt valued during my time at SPB because everybody that I encountered within the firm was happy to dedicate some time to speak to me. The work I undertook was also genuinely appreciated by various members of the team, whether trainees or associates. At no time was I made to feel like a temporary or undervalued member of the team.

I was given a sufficient amount of guidance/support for the work I was given during the week (instruction emails were sent most of the time, with the note that more help or information was always available if needed). I was not sat in an office or with a trainee/associate/partner, I was instead sat with the Real Estate support team, which probably means it was not as easy to get guidance as if I was sat in an office with my supervisor. However I am sure if more support was needed it could have been sought by going and finding somebody to ask.

In terms of the department I sat in, it was very interesting to apply some of the knowledge I had attained during my study of Land Law at university. Further, we were assigned some tasks during the week such as a presentation and drafting a briefing document. We had to work in a group for this and undertake some legal research before presenting to two partners. I am sure this will assist me in my career should I get a training contract (particularly with a seat in Real Estate), and possibly even with the LPC.

The insight was relatively well structured, as we received a timetable on Monday that was followed throughout the week. There was a lot of time in department, with some networking lunches. On the Thursday and Friday, there was the training contract interview and the group presentation. We needed to schedule our own time to meet with our groups in order to prepare for the presentation, normally at the end of the day. We were informed of any changes to the structure of the week via email.

The atmosphere was very good during the insight. The culture within the firm feels very welcoming, and there is a genuine open door policy. The offices feel very open plan and, as a result, there is a lot of conversation going on all the time. The atmopshere was good between the vacation scheme students, too. This may have been because there was a small number of us or because there was no direct assessments in which we had to be on opposing sides, but there was not a competitive atmosphere at all.

On the first day, we were given some brief talks on IT, research and health and safety within the firm. We were also provided with laptops and desktop computers in order to complete our work. A number of senior associates and partners also gave up their time to come and talk to us and answer any questions we might have. I think there is no requirement for any further personal training or development for a week long vacation scheme.

As mentioned previously, I think this insight gave an excellent understanding of what it would be like to have a full time role within the firm. We spent a lot of time in department and were given work that a trainee might be expected to do. In terms of the presentation, I think the fact that we had to schedule and plan in our time is representative of what this kind of task would be like as a trainee. The invitation to the Christmas social also provided an accurate insight into the social side of the firm, as it was not just an event put on for vacation scheme students.

The insight gave me a very good understanding of the company culture. As mentioned previously, the firm operates an open door policy and that is truly enforced. The office is very open plan, with the support staff etc. spread out just outside of the offices. The culture certainly seemed very welcoming. The social event was also a good insight into the culture of the firm.

The insight was valuable in helping me confirm my ambitions to pursue this career path in the future. It was very interesting to see a different department, as I have only ever had contact with corporate before. It also highlighted the significance of the culture within a firm and how these can really vary firm to firm.

I was paid £250 for the week and was able to live at home in Leeds so incurred minimal expenses. Lunch was also provided on 4 of the 5 days.

Yes. On two of the days there were networking lunches with members of the firm (mostly associates and trainees). A number of departments came on each day and sat at a table, and we would spend around 10 minutes with each department. This was a good way to be able to ask questions about each department and network with members of the firm from all levels. This was the main networking opportunity, however a few of us emailed trainees and asked for a quick chat with them and they were more than happy to meet up. There was also opportunity to meet members of the firm at the Christmas social.

The networking lunches were a really good way to gain access to all of the departments in a short period of time, to ask questions and to hear a bit about the department. The Christmas social was enjoyable and was held at a local bar, where we were provided with food and drink. Perhaps the only suggestion may be that there could have been a social event specifically for the vacation scheme, however it is understandable that this may not have been doable in the run up to Christmas.

This was mentioned a few times briefly in conversation with people in the firm. The firm evidently does a lot of charity work, and we heard a bit about people getting involved in this through skydives, runs etc. The firm were also encouraging of the idea that employees within the firm could propose an activity that everybody could get involved with.

Yes, I would definitely represent this insight. I think it is an excellent insight into the life of a trainee at the firm, and I think that is really important as the firm has accurately represented itself. I think the week has been both challenging and enjoyable, and I have really enjoyed meeting everyone and undertaking some interesting work.