Vacation Scheme Review

It was a great insight into the firm. The work received was both actual work that a trainee would complete on their training contract, as well as being given work with a lot of responsibility. In doing so I was able to see what deals the firm are currently working on and what clients they are dealing with, as well as contributing to these deals.

Everyone I have met at the firm from the receptionists to partners have been excellent. They were all very welcoming and friendly, which made you feel like you were there to be invested in as oppose to being tested (which you were of course but it did not feel daunting, allowing me to be myself).

Before I completed every tasks, my trainee or whoever was delegating me the work would give me an overview of the deal I was working on, how my work contributed to this deal as well as fully explaining the task I was to complete. Once I finished the task I would also receive feedback on it, so I knew how I could improve my work in the future.

The skills learnt are extremely useful to my future career. This is because it was a lot of the work a trainee would do, so I could utilise my feedback to improve the work I would complete in a training contract. However, there is a stark difference to university, this is not the placements fault, but it is due to the learning process at university, as it is less practical ad more theoretical.

The scheme was extremely well organised. It incorporated the work you would have to complete whilst in your departments. On top of this the scheme also organised department overviews which gave you insights to each department, as well as the tasks you had to complete like a group presentation and interview. There were also socials which were organised for the placement students, in which we got to socialise with trainees as well as our fellow vac schemers which enabled us to become friends.

The atmosphere was very friendly and welcoming, which made you feel welcome and so you were able to talk and socialise easily with others. Everyone was happy and so you could have a laugh which made the work environment very enjoyable. The work provided was always very interesting and so the placement was never boring.

As a potential trainee the firm wanted to test you and assess your skills. In return for this I was able to receive constant feedback which would develop me as a person as well as a potential trainee, giving me the abilities to do the work in the future. Not only this but the work given was alike to what a trainee would do, so the knowledge I gained was directly relevant to my future.

As stated the firm gives you worked directly reflective of what trainees have done or are doing at the moment and so on your training contract you would be doing similar sorts of work. This is obviously limited as there is some work you cannot complete due to lack of experience, but again this isn't the firms problem it is just due to the stage in my career.

The work given was a good reflection of what you would do as a trainee at the firm, so this coupled with the insight into the firms culture and employees enables you to make an informed judgment on whether this was is the right firm to work at. It also gives you a chance to see two different departments, so if you are unsure of where you want to work it gives you more of an understanding of how they work and what is involved.

There were numerous opportunities. So the firm encouraged us to get around the office and speak to as many people as we could/should, allowing us to get to know who works there and what they think. Not only this but I was given opportunities to sit in on client meetings, enabling me to get to know some clients. The social events were also a good way to get to now everybody.

The firm offer multiple extra-curricular activities, which involve charity and social organising. On top of this there are also various sporting groups which you are able to join, which includes running, football, sky diving and canoeing. There are vast opportunities to take advantage of working here. As well as these regular activities there are also other activities like quizzes and bake-offs which allow everyone to feel included.

I would always advise to a friend to do any placement they can in a firm they are considering as it enables a person to choose where they would like to work. But in particular this firm is extremely inviting and makes you feel comfortable, which is a great culture to have. But it also provides a large insight into the work you would have as an employee, giving you a great overview of the firm allowing you to make an informed decision.