Vacation Placement Student Review

Everyone in the office was really friendly and helpful and I got to experience working in the Oil & Gas team which I was very excited about as it is something I have wanted to do for quite a while.

I felt instantly from day one like I had known the members of my department for a while. They were extremely friendly and welcoming and they made sure they kept me involved, in particular by inviting me to firm events- Touch Rugby definitely being a highlight!

My supervisor was always checking I had lots to do and that I had a full understanding of what was being asked of me. Other members of the team were also extremely helpful and took time to explain what different documents/contracts did; the stages in a transaction etc

I never felt overwhelmed by work but always had something to do!

I was given the amount of responsibility you would expect at my stage in my degree.

Having chosen Oil & Gas law as a future Honours subject I have gained invaluable knowledge that will help with my studies next year.

Perfect balance between being serious and having fun- people are serious when they need to be serious but also know how to have a laugh!

Since the firm has only just merged it is understandable that everything is not going to be perfect, for example, some people gave presentations but had never used the slides before as they were kept in the firm having been a legacy Pinsent Masons thing.

Every student is paid for the time that they spend with the firm. In addition, I personally was given a lot of one-on-one time to be taught about how a typical oil & gas transaction might work from start to finish, as well as being taught about general terminology and concepts, amongst other things. I also was given the responsibility of organising the fortnightly Oil & Gas update and to present it at the meeting, something I would have had to have been trained to do if I was to be a trainee in the department.

Since the firm is of international reach (even more so following the merger) it is hoped that the current state of the economy will not have much of an impact on trainee intake.

Social events involved a great mix of placement students, trainees, N.Qs, Associates, Senior Associates- we went to a mixology class, as well as going bowling; and the Touch Rugby was a great experience as people from so many different departments of the firm attend!

I live in Aberdeen and so do not know how much it is to rent here but I do believe prices are slightly higher than those in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The cost of socialising is on par with the other major cities in Scotland.

Aberdeen nightlife is perfect for me but if you were used to living in a bigger city it would really depend on whether you like a change.

I had the opportunity to attend Touch Rugby and play for the Pinsent Masons Pitbulls. As well as that there were a couple of trainee social evenings planned and office drinks both Fridays of placement.