A&O First Insight Scheme Review

by A&O Shearman

Best Student Employer

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

Rating

4.6/5
  • About You
    4.8
  • The Company
    4.7
  • Everything Else
    4.4

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • A&O First Insight was the most enjoyable time spent with a Commercial Law Firm throughout my first year. The diverse range of activities and skills sessions that are completed during your time at the office really help to make the day engaging and enjoyable

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • Before attending A&O First, I felt valued due to the feedback and emails from the Graduate Recruitment Team explaining what the day would entail and how competitive the place was. During the day, the opportunity to spend time with a trainee in their office and hear from various people who showed a keen interest in us really showed the natural interest the firm had in us as individuals.

    5/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • During the insight, the guidance from the graduate recruitment team was great. Everything was explained in detail and all who attended were fully supported ans received valuable feedback after certain tasks. The support network after the day which continues throughout the year, as well as a 'trainee buddy' assigned to you makes this insight scheme unique and particularly effective.

    5/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • The skills that were developed during the negotiation tasks and commercial awareness activity will be particularly useful with debating and other commercial awareness tasks, which are all valuable towards a Law Degree too. The advice and additional application specific information will be invaluable when planning to apply for a Vacation Scheme or Training Contract in the future.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • Receiving the event plan for the insight in advance via email reinforces how well planned and structured the day was. After being greeted, the timings and general outlook of the day were explained to ensure we got the most out of the time we spent with Allen & Overy

    5/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • Everyone that I came into contact with was extremely friendly and happy to be speaking to first year students. I was made to feel very welcome which created a great atmosphere for the overall office. During my time shadowing a trainee, the atmosphere around his floor was very collaborative with a strong open door policy, showing anyone who needs assistance can receive help and support.

    5/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • Certain activities were designed to assistant is personal development and to consider things we may not have previously though out. Although this was just a first year insight scheme, the year round webinars and tutorials show that the firm invest a lot in us.

    4/5

  • 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?
  • The opportunity to shadow a trainee and spend time in their office enabled the insight day to truly show me what life inside the firm would be like if i was to secure a training contract.

    5/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • Spending one day cannot allow you to fully appreciate the culture of the firm, but the time spent inside the office and the various activities which allowed me to interact with a diverse range of people helped in showing me what the A & O culture is like.

    4/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • The content helped to confirm that a career in an international law firm is right for me. The presentations, supported by networking opportunities and work shadowing really helped me to see what a career in commercial law would be like.

    5/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
  • I was Reimbursed expenses


  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • There was networking opportunities throughout the day, including a planned 'speed networking session' during the morning and the opportunity to network more informally over lunch.

    5/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • The opportunity to network and meet people both formally and informally from different areas and backgrounds really added to the overall day.

    4/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • From a trainee perspective, I was told about the socials, pro bono work and various sports teams that were available- However this did not form a large part of the day

    4/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • I would most definitely recommend this insight. The opportunity to find out more about the firm, meet various people and shadow a trainee makes the insight an idea insight for a first year student. The continued support after the insight and the assigned trainee buddy for the year ahead makes the insight far more than a mere office visit

    5/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Commercial Law

London

April 2015


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