Vacation Scheme Student Review

by Herbert Smith Freehills

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

Rating

4.2/5
  • About You
    4.1
  • The Company
    4.4
  • Everything Else
    4.1

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • I really enjoyed my vacation scheme at Herbert Smith Freehills. The scheme was very well organised, with several departmental presentations and social events. This gave us the opportunity to really get involved and learn about the work the firm do. I found it a very rewarding experience to meet lots of people and to get great feedback.

    4/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • I felt extremely valued. People were extremely willing to meet up with me and tell me about the work that they do, and to get me involved in any opportunities that I wished to get involved in. People genuinely cared about my wellbeing and regularly gave me positive feedback and encouragement. The firm put time and effort into making us feel integrated.

    4/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • I had a trainee buddy in both of the seats I was in for my vacation scheme. This was extremely useful as it meant I always had someone to talk to and ask questions of, if I didn't want to ask my supervisor. I was encouraged to ask questions whenever I did not understand something, and therefore I felt supported.

    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've worked in two practice areas on my scheme that I have never studied or worked in before. I think it will really help me when I go on to study these areas on the LPC in particular. Furthermore, I hope to paralegal for some time before I start a training contract and feel the analytical skills I have developed have been invaluable.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • On the first day we were given a booklet with the different presentations, social events and meetings scheduled for the fortnight. The scheme was extremely well structured, this meant that I always had something to do, and never felt bored. Graduate Recruitment were extremely organised and structured the two weeks well.

    5/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • The general atmosphere is that Herbert Smith Freehills is a place with really smart and hardworking people. It is a firm where people are passionate about their work. Even more than that, it is somewhere that people care about your wellbeing. It is a very collaborative environment and considerably more friendly and caring than the classic city commercial law firm

    5/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • The firm invested a lot, as they put on lots of different presentations to expand our skills and knowledge. We also had a learning and development presentation that was really interactive, and was essentially a shortened version of the training that trainees get in their first two weeks. The feedback I have received has also helped in terms of development.

    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 think I have got a good insight. I feel like people have been very honest with me about their hours and their work. I think the amount of presentations and events organised for vac schemers made the day quite different to a normal day of a full time solicitor at the firm however. Overall, being exposed to different areas gave a good insight.

    4/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • I now understand that Herbert Smith Freehills is a very collaborative firm. It has a good, supportive culture. The sentiment is that no one should stay if they do not have work to do, and no one expects that. They work hard, but it is clear to me that the work is made much easier by having great people to work with.

    5/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • I think the content of the day was really useful. It exposed me to different practice areas that I would definitely like to explore. It also showed me that I really love disputes work, and could see myself as a disputes lawyer. Speaking to different people also gave me different perspectives.

    4/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
  • I was paid very adequately. We were also lucky enough to go to socials and drinks paid for by the firm. I had multiple coffee meetings that were paid for as well. The pay ensured that I did not have any money worries, which can not always be said for schemes at other firms.


  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • There were lots of opportunities for networking and meeting other employees. We met the CEO, several partners, trainees and associates. There were partner drinks in the first week which was nice. We also had a social in the second week. I also had lots of coffee meetings with people across the firm.

    5/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • The networking and social opportunities were great. It allowed us to meet people we may not have crossed paths with in our work over the two weeks. It also meant that we were able to get to know the other vac schemers really well, and build up relationships with people.

    5/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • We had presentations about pro bono activities. I also met with someone from the BAME committee to find out about what they do. I had coffee meetings and chatted with people about the different activities they can get involved with. Everyone was very happy and open to discuss various activities they do.

    4/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • I would recommend this insight to a friend and have done. I would say that is definitely challenging, but that the challenges on the scheme are reflective of the challenges as a trainee. I think anyone going into this career has to like a challenge and be happy to work hard. But also, I've had lots of fun.

    4/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Corporate Law

London

December 2018


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