Summer Vacation Student Review

I have really enjoyed the summer scheme. The work has been very varied and supplemented by lots of educational talks and socials. It has been much more enjoyable than some other schemes I have experienced. The firm has such a unique culture - I really felt like I could be myself and express my personality without worrying - in fact it was encouraged!

I felt very valued. I was given real chargeable work to do. I was even asked back to one department so that I could see the work I did used on a conference call to a client! Everyone was really appreciative whenever I did any work for them.

There were so many levels of support during the scheme. From HR to trainees, right up to senior associates and partners. We were told that we could approach anyone. The open plan office really helped with this as you could easily speak to everyone! Everyone was really helpful and I felt genuinely supported during my time at the firm.

Having just finished the LPC it was great to be able to put some of what I had learned into practice. Whilst my legal knowledge undoubtedly increased what I think will benefit me most is the business knowledge I can take away. I got to see just how important client service is to the firm and how that in turn feeds into the firms brand and success. We were given multiple talks and updates on issues affecting the legal market, the impact of social media and the firm's strategy. It really was fascinating as I got to see first hand how lawyers have to think commercially, not just in relation to their clients but also in regards to the firm they work for.

The scheme was really well structured. There was plenty of time to do real work on the floors but this was also supplemented by interesting talks and social events. There was a really good balance. It felt like a realistic representation of what it would be like to work at RPC. You have to manage your time as you have real work but also presentations to do, events and socials to attend!

It was a very happy environment. Everyone was so friendly and had a great sense of humour. It is a really positive atmosphere around the office. People really help each other out and actually genuinely enjoy being at work! I felt really supported during my time at the firm and I think it would be a very beneficial environment in which to begin my legal career.

The firm really invested in our personal training and development. On our first day we had extensive IT training as well as an introduction to the library. We were given detailed introductions to the commercial and insurance practices. In terms of developing our skills we were given business projects to complete in teams and present. Talks on branding and the legal market, coupled with the really helpful people on the floors allowed me to gain as much knowledge as possible within the two weeks.

I got a really good idea of what it would be like to have a full time role with the firm. I spent a lot of time with the trainees getting to know them and the type of work that they do. I saw how the firm functioned on a daily basis and I gained an understanding of how everything works together.

There was an emphasis on getting us to understand the culture of the firm and rightly so, particularly as RPC has such a unique and modern culture. This wasn't imposed on us, you just couldn't really avoid it - the people at RPC help you to understand the culture as soon as you walk through the door. It really is a very friendly firm.

I was paid £275 per week and was given money on my swipe card for lunches in the cafe.

There were plenty of opportunities to network and meet other employees of the firm. The fact that the offices are open plan really helped with this as people would come over and introduce themselves and I had no worries about doing the same to them. This open plan allows you to be exposed to all sorts of people and therefore you are given work from all different people at all different levels within the firm. Aside from this there were plenty of events for us to get to network and meet people within the firm. We had numerous networking lunches with trainees, associates and partners. There was also a speed networking event, which was great as we got to meet people from every department within the firm. Finally there were plenty of socials for us to get to know the trainees.

The networking opportunities were actually enjoyable as everyone within the firm was very keen to get to know about you and were more than happy to talk about what they had been working on. Trying to juggle lunch, a drink, shake hands and talk didnt get any easier however!! The social opportunities were really good fun. We got to have a Ping Pong competition in a bar called Bounce, go for a meal and drinks with the trainees and have a night at a bar near the office.

It is clear that there are lots of clubs and societies that go on within RPC. Whilst I did hear about some of them I feel they could have been explained a little more as reference was only really made in passing.

I would without doubt recommend this scheme to a friend. It has been a really good experience and I can't believe how much I have learned in two weeks! The people at the firm are lovely and so nice to work with - I wouldn't hesistate to recommend it.