Vacation Placement Student Review

It was a very enjoyable insight. The firm was very open, friendly and genuine, and everyone seemed to very much want us to take the most we could from the scheme. There times where the pace was slow, but that is due more to the nature of the work itself, rather than the placement quality or the firm.

Very - everyone in the Reading office made an effort to know who we were, and to introduce themselves. I was always made to feel that my work was appreciated and given good feedback on the bits I completed or helped with. Unfortunately, a few of the London placement students who we met seemed to look down on any non-Londoners, but that is not reflective of firm culture in any way.

Plenty - I always new where I stood on a task and what was expected, as well as who I could ask for help, whilst being given the space and responsibility to go and complete it on my own.

I didn't really develop any new working skills as such, but experience and information gathered from the office environment and its people will be invaluable.

Less structured than many, but no worse for it - it meant we got a thoroughly realistic exposure to daily life as a trainee lawyer, and were able to take opportunities which arose without having to worry about where to be and rushing off to places. Only on the day spent up in the London office were we left a little unsure of logistics, but generally the structure was sound and things ran smoothly.

Very positive and enjoyable - there were fewer socials as the firm tended to have slightly older young professionals, many of whom were married and/or with kids, but this was not necessarily a bad thing.

As with any two week placement investment in real terms is difficult, but we were encouraged to use our skills and ingenuity to seek out opportunities.

Very much so - we were given realistic work and involved in many of the trainees' tasks, as well as having a calendar similar to a real one. We gained similar exposure to clients and senior employees as would a trainee and the expectations of us were very realistic.

A lot - the firm being so open and friendly meant we were able to organically find out about the firm and live its culture, and ask any questions we wanted to of whoever was the relevant person.

Again, very valuable - gaining a realistic insight and being trusted with responsibility meant the reflection was a truer on and thus the impression a good one on which to base any career decisions.

£250 per week

Yes - there was a lunch with senior employees, a sports day and general good exposure in departments.

These were good - much less forced than on other placements, and a good opportunity to relax and meet people informally, from the Sports day and summer party to drinks and lunches.

Fewer than I'd have liked, but nonetheless we found out a bit about CSR and socials.

Absolutely!