Vacation Scheme Student Review

I enjoyed the insight greatly. I had the opportunity to speak to Associates and Partners across many departments and experience daily life at A&O. I did feel as though I was being testing to an extent - but it always felt low-stress and fun.

I felt greatly valued throughout my time at the firm. Everyone was kind and helpful - even those who had no connection to the Vacation Scheme. Every minute was planned and informative in a different and generally enjoyable way.

The Graduate Recruitment Team was incredibly supportive throughout the placement. More importantly they had set out the information for us from the first day (using iPads and a special App!); there was no need to ask the basic questions about the schedule, the events or the office in general, and so we had the opportunity to ask deeper more personalised questions. I asked about the sailing team and the use of the music rooms for example, and was guided immediately. My Trainer and other Associates and Partners we contacted throughout the placement (to complete our presentation exercise etc) were all thoroughly supportive. Everyone made time in their busy schedules. We were encouraged to speak to as many people as we wished - both junior and senior. However, I would've liked more arranged contact with senior employees of the firm.

The placement was brief. As a result, I gained invaluable insight into the way a city law firm works and operates, as well as an understanding of the importance of client-lawyer relationships and the art of winning work. Due to the placement's brevity however, I did not gain skills above this that would assist me in my degree studies and beyond.

The insight was very well structured. We spent time with our trainers in our chosen departments, learnt the art of winning business and client relations, the made a client pitch (which was invaluable - especially the insight we received from Business Development as we prepared for this), and we generally experienced the office. From introductions to closing, I though the information was given to us in a sensible order (information about the Training Contract was saved for the end).

General atmosphere was very welcoming. It wasn't 'fun' all the time (although the Pub Quiz and the Ping-Pong night with other trainees were fantastic) - but I think the generally welcoming atmosphere was much more important, and made itself felt through not only the Graduate Recruitment Team, but everyone else I encountered.

The most training we received was in Business Development. The placement was brief and therefore there wasn't much training to be done; however the short experiences (games and client pitch exercise) were informative on their own.

The placement showed well what it would be like to be a full-time employee at A&O. I was lucky enough to sit in the place of a Trainee (who was on holiday at the time), and so received tasks that a Trainee would also receive. The brevity of the placement again limited my understanding of what it would be like to be a full time employee, and I only got the chance to experience one department and not the others I am interested in. We were however able to ask about other departments to Trainees currently working at those departments, and encouraged to ask more senior members in these departments. I would've liked more arranged meetings with more senior members of other departments.

Because the experience was brief, it was not possible to participate in firm-wide events. However, we did experience all parts of the office, and were encouraged to ask work and non-work related questions.

The content of the placement assisted in helping me decide whether I wanted to work for a City law firm. The fact that I wanted to work in law in general was decided beforehand however, and I do not think I would've been accepted to the placement had that not been the case.

The pay (and perks) was generous given the amount of work we did.

Yes. However meeting senior members of the firm was at our discretion and effort. More arranged meetings would've been appreciated. Perhaps if we had a general mentor we had coffee/tea with in addition to our Trainer and Trainee Buddy.

We had social events arranged with Trainees, and dinner arranged with a few partners.

Yes I did. We were given a general list (of sports teams, music activities etc), and were asked to enquire further if interested. I asked about the sailing team, and got a great response from the head of the sailing team (though I received his reply after the placement had ended). My Trainer and I also discussed social life in general and Pro Bono. I also used the piano rooms of the firm and saw fliers about musicals and plays put on by the firm's employees (though we were not told about these during the placement orientation - likely due to its brevity).

Yes, definitely.