I really relished my time on my placement. RPC was an excellent firm to work at, and I was given a wide range of responsibilities from quite early on. This allowed me to learn a great deal very quickly, but I always felt supported and guided by my colleagues.
I felt immensely valued by my colleagues. My contributions were valued and I received both positive feedback and invaluable constructive criticism in equal measure. While I was the most junior member of the team, I never felt patronised or condescended to - I was a valued contributor to the team's work.
My supervisor was excellent - she supported me from day 1 by setting clear expectations and guidelines. She gave me the freedom to pursue projects and work on things without being micro-managed but she was always supportive whenever I had questions - which was fairly frequently.
I had important and interesting things to do every day - but I never felt overwhelmed by the workload. This to me was the right balance to strike, as it enabled me to get the most from the placement but I also left feeling energised and excited by the possibility of working at the firm.
I was given a great deal of independence to work on projects and find my own work, but again, it was not overwhelming or too extreme. Being given that level of responsibility was invaluable as it enabled me to learn a great deal in a short space of time.
The skills I developed will assist me greatly - I developed my ability to work under intense time pressure, to communicate proactively with colleagues, and also my attention to detail. All of these skills will stand me in good stead in my future career.
Focussed but friendly - everyone was working very hard on big projects but they also had time for a quick chat or a supportive word. It struck a good balance between the work being the priority, while humour and support were always present too.
It was very well-structured - I was always clear on what the expectations of and parameters for the placement were. The communication from HR was excellent, and everything seemed to run very smoothly.
The firm ran regular lunchtime training sessions on a wide array of topics - from Fintech to the minutiae of insurance law. As such, I was given exposure to a massive range of development opportunities, on top of the placement itself being an excellent learning experience.
Subsidised/Company Gym
Company Parties/Events
Healthcare/Dental
Travel loan
Very appealing - I have managed to secure a Training Contract at RPC and I am incredibly excited to get started.
Yes - everyone was very friendly and supportive. We would frequently go out as a group for coffee or drinks, and there was a very collegiate atmosphere among us.
London costs - very expensive these days.
Excellent - the Tower Hill office is very close to Shoreditch and East London so there were loads of opportunities to go out.
Yes - a huge amount. There is a choir, sports clubs, and loads of opportunities to get involved with charity work. RPC seems to really excel in giving its employees the opportunity to do a huge range of extra-curricular activities, and it's a part of what I love about the firm.
Placement (5-9 Months)
Legal/Law
29th August 2019