Summer Vacation Scheme Review

by SJ Berwin

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

Rating

4.3/5
  • The Role
    4.3
  • The Company
    4.5
  • The Culture
    4.0

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • Very enjoyable. Graduate recruitment are amazing and create a full but varied schedule. Mornings are mainly taken up with talks from departments across the firm. Time in the afternoon is juggled between work and sushi making, zumba, a bbq and other social events. They really take the time to get to know you and give you an opportunity to get to know the firm properly to make an informed decision.

    5/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • Everyone is very supportive and you don't feel stupid asking any questions - they all know you're here to learn.

    5/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • My supervisor was so supportive. She provided me with interview preparation tips and how to approach other applications outside the firm.

    5/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • Not too busy compared to other vacation scheme students in other departments. I found this very surprising as I was in Corporate, but I was still given good worthwhile work and felt like I was contributing to the deal in hand.

    4/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • Some responsibility on research tasks and for proof reading contract documents. Perhaps would have been given more had the department been busier.

    4/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • Invaluable experience, even just in terms of having it on my CV and fully knowing that I want to continue a career in law.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • Great - my team were so friendly and really wanted to get to know me. It was definitely helpful knowing that my supervisor was a big tennis fan like me.

    5/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • Can't fault it. Great balance between work and social events so that you get a feel for both the people you'll be working with and the types of work you'll be doing. Everyone really takes the time out to get to know you.

    5/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • Looks like SJ Berwin has gone to some effort arranging events which have allowed us to fully interact with the firm. People at all levels have given up their time to talk to us about their departments - really refreshing to have contact with Partners; you don't get that many places.

    5/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Subsidised Canteen

    Company Parties/Events
    4/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • Good - they really seem to want to help you get to where you want to be in your career. They have openly said that if we're good enough we'll get a job and we aren't competing with eachother. Lots of opportunities to do Pro Bono, get involved in graduate recruitment, or work on the types of deals you're interested in and specialise.

    5/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • All the vac schemers got on really well. We've really got to know eachother which is good: we may likely be colleagues at SJ Berwin in the future.

    5/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Not great but no where is in London. The social scene makes up for the cost though. You get what you pay for.

    3/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • Amazing bar two minutes away on the bank of the Thames that is lively and great for after work drinks.

    4/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • Vac schemers have got involved with work drinks and socials, sports matches such as cricket and football and attended client networking events.

    5/5
    Report this review

Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Legal/Law

London

July 2012

View More Reviews