Work experience Review

I very much enjoyed my week of work experience with Reynolds Porter Chamberlain. My time there gave me a real insight into the firm. Sitting in General Liability and Medical under the impressive Dorothy Flower, there was much to learn. I particularly liked the people working at RPC – from trainees to partners they went out of their way to ensure my time there was pleasant and productive.

Working at RPC was the most valued I have felt during any work experience. I was given room to use my initiative and creativity, for example I was given free reign to make an engaging PowerPoint to be shown at a client seminar. The work I did was received with appreciation for the effort that I had put into it. I particularly appreciated that I was given credit for my work to senior partners.

Each task that I was assigned was explained fully and at an appropriate level to a student, so I knew that my work was heading in the right direction without any hint of being patronised. I felt comfortable asking for clarification if I need it at any point. The support extended outside the office, as the trainee in charge of me even took the time to show me the cafeteria and introduced me to other trainees.

During my week at RPC, the skills I learned will be useful in my career, if not immediately in my degree. For example, in speaking directly to a range of people from clerks in Chambers to expert witnesses, I developed my ability to adjust my tone appropriately and speak confidently to whoever I needed to contact.

Given that my work experience was informal, the week was never going to be extremely structured. For what it was, there was an effort to make sure that I experienced a wide range of the work that RPC undertakes. I sat in on negotiations, went to court, and experienced the office. The flexibility of the work experience allowed me to go along to whatever was on offer.

The atmosphere at RPC was my favourite thing about working there, and a large part of the reason I applied for a training contract with the firm. The people working there are generous with their time and were consistently friendly despite me being there at a busy, and therefore stressful, time. The open plan office meant that everyone was approachable, and I quickly felt comfortable working there.

My work experience was invaluable in giving an insight into life as a solicitor at RPC. I spoke to a wide range of employees who gave me their views on working at the firm at each stage of employment. Following their ringing endorsement, I applied to the firm in the hope of working there full time myself.

Given that the work experience was not through a formal scheme, I did not expect to be paid or reimbursed. Even so, I was kindly given lunch every day.

While I was with the firm, there were a number of networking opportunities that I was encouraged to go to. One evening I was given the chance to meet a number of the clients of the firm. Another evening I was invited to meet the HR team, alongside other candidates, where I got to know more directly about the firm and its application process.

There were a number of activities on offer for employees outside of work. For example, RPC have firm sports teams which involve employees of all levels. They also have fun social gatherings which are particularly good to have as a new trainee, as they bring colleagues together to become friends.

I would definitely recommend this insight to a friend because it was so useful in a number of ways. It gave me an insight into the culture at RPC, I saw clearly how a career at RPC would be, and what I could expect if I was to work there.