Vacation Scheme Review
by Shoosmiths
This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
-
About You
2.0
-
The Company
2.8
-
Everything Else
2.6
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
- 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
- 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 5. How well structured was the insight?
- 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
- 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 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?
- 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
- 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
- 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?
- 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
- 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
- 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
About You
I enjoyed learning more about the practice area in which I was placed, and enjoyed meeting with different lawyers. I didn't feel like I got a good insight into the firm though.
Not very. My buddy and the team were happy to assist me and lawyers from other teams were happy to talk too. However there were no introductions on the first day with anyone else I was simply sat down with my buddy. The whole scheme felt like a competition.
Graduate recruitment were very elusive and only in contact to tell us about what we needed to do to get the training contract. It didn't feel like here was much focus on getting to know the firm or personal development.
I developed good insight into the area I sat in and chatted to lots of interesting people. The scheme also boosted my CV.
The Company
It definitely felt like you only got out of the scheme what you put in, which is fine, but not really what I wanted from an insight scheme. There was no real introduction of review at the end of the placement.
The team were friendly and once I'd found the other vac schemers we got along well. The whole atmosphere felt very competitive though since it was very focused on passing a test to get the training contract, and not an insight into the firm or opportunity for personal development.
Nothing really, I felt very much left to it.
It was a good insight into life at the firm and the type of work I would be doing in the practice are I was sat in.
The firm pushes its values a lot so I got to know them quite well. The scheme did change my perceptions of the firm though since I thought it was very alternative and people-focused, however it actually was quite competitive and growth-centred.
I was placed in a practice area which I was already interested in, and the placement confirmed I would like to complete a seat in it as a trainee.
Everything Else
The salary was good
There were good opportunities for networking since there were two socials during the week. The onus was on the vac schemers to message other lawyers and this was encouraged a lot.
One was drinks and pool with lawyers from the team and the other was a meal at a restaurant with amazing veggie burgers.
No
For learning more about the placement area and life in a national law firm, yes. For feeling part of the firm, feedback for personal development and future opportunities with the firm, no
Details
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
North West
November 2019
