Trainee Review

I significantly enjoy my insight (8 out of 10 stars). I was not entirely sure what to expect because I was worried that the jobs which we would be asked to do would be dull, or unhelpful. Furthermore, the enrichment activities that we did whilst participating in the insight I felt were particularly good at adding value, both to my time spent there, and also to me in my development.

The level of work given to my during the scheme made me feel valued; particularly nice was the mix of working on live issues and past cases. Whilst it was enjoyable to do something which was live, it was equally good to be able to look at a matter which has also been completed. Not only did that give me a better view as to I also appreciated the effort that those who were going about and trying to complete their jobs made in trying to speak to me and make me feel welcome.

Everyone from supervisors, to trainees, to support staff were very happy to help me when I addressed queries to them. Nobody made it seem that they were wasting their time with you.

Firstly, the skills that I developed will certainly help me in applying for other jobs, if I fail in pursuing one at Reed Smith. At the same time however, I recognise that much of the writing style that is required for advice to clients is not one which would be particularly well received in an academic setting. Research however, remains ubiquitous in both life as a trainee solicitor and as a student.

I was a bit sceptical as to why many of our activities were scattered throughout the day; whilst this is presumably because those individuals who would deliver the sessions to us were themselves busy working, it would have been better had the sessions all been clustered together (i.e. at the beginning or end of days).

Differed between departments; some were more open with people routinely dropping into offices to ask questions. Others were less so.

There was investment both in the sense that the supervisors would give up their time to explain things and in that there were planned group events, which helped us develop both as individuals and groups.

The insight allowed us to have both the work experience and the social experience of interacting with trainees. It was helpful because it is understood that work can go late into the evenings and it was important to see how the dynamic would work with trainees outside the work confines.

Because the insight had a high number of rotations, from the individuals with whom we worked to the people giving us presentations, there was a lot of interaction with people at various levels of the firm. This made it easier to appreciate what kind of culture the company might have.

The range of work that we were exposed to meant that my firms that a classic office job would not have enough variety were allayed. Moreover, the fact that the work involved dealing with law also was reassuring and gave lie to the statements of other individuals who always asserted that no real law would ever be used whilst being a solicitor.

I was paid adequately.

There were plenty of opportunities to network - for example, we were encouraged to organise meetings to speak to other individuals who we were not exposed to. Alternatively, the organised socials were well attended by a range of trainees.

Good, although I didn't always take advantage of them because I preferred to complete work I had been set.

The trainees routinely organise sport rounds against other firms. Pro Bono opportunities were also rife.

Yes; it was rewarding and developing.