Vacation Scheme student-Banking department. Review

I had a great week at Shoosmiths and really enjoyed it. I was given a variety of tasks and was fortunate enough to work at two of their offices over my placement.

Everyone was extremely welcoming and friendly. All work was explained very clearly and if I had a problem I felt that I was able to approach anyone in the office- from trainees to partners.

Throughout the week I was given a number of tasks to complete within the Banking department and was asked numerous times whether I knew what I was doing and if I needed any help. I also received feedback on all of my work which was really valuable. I had an ongoing project to complete by the end of my placement and received a lot of support in creating the end product.

There was always something to do. I didn't feel that I was under pressure to achieve impossible targets but the work balance was just right.

I was surprised at how much responsibility I was given at Shoosmiths. I drafted letters and emails to companies, was given cases to work on by the team and had a real hands-on experience.

The vacation scheme was a great insight into the working legal world and the experience was invaluable. Over the week I felt that my negotiation skills developed and the skills which I was taught particularly in drafting emails and letters to clients will assist in my legal career in the future.

The office had a great vibe. There were great team dynamics and although everyone worked very hard, everyone seemed to enjoy their job.

I always had something to do, it seemed very well organised.

There were only three of us there at one time on the summer placement which was great in that we had a lot of time spent on us. I was also fortunate to attend a solicitor training day with the trainees which provided a real insight into what training trainees received at the firm. The course was extremely interested.

You are not guaranteed an interview from the vacation scheme but there are opportunities to get one. Everyone that I knew had a summer placement this year were not successful in obtaining a training contract but Im sure in other offices some students were offered a job.

During my placement there were a number of opportunities to play football matches against other law firms as well as a charity day on the weekend. We also went out for lunch altogether which was a great way of socializing out of the office.

Based in Southampton as a student anyway the prices are quite reasonable, particularly as you are living in a city. It is a lot cheaper than London but not as cheap as up North!

Southampton has a great nightlife- again, being a student in the city I was already familiar with where to go.

During the week I was there, football seemed to be quite the activity to get involved with which was great for the boys but not so much the girls if this isn't your thing. However I was invited to the charity day at the weekend and should there have been other activities going on I feel that I would have been invited- everyone made a real effort to make you feel welcome and involved.