Summer Vacation Scheme Review

I really enjoyed the insight into the firm because I feel as though I have had a realistic experience of what it would be like to experience life as a trainee with the firm and the trainees own experiences. Working with the firm for the week confirmed to me that their values are not just a statement but are a reality.

By giving me work on ongoing cases and asking for my opinion with regards to amending a contract I reeky felt that my opinion and my work was valued by the team that was in. To have a solicitor ask for your opinion on a matter that will affect how they respond to the client was great.

The whole team was very supportive of my throughout the experience. They all took the time out to provide me with feedback on every piece of work that I was given. Even if that feedback was to tell me what I had done really well on they would take me aside and explain why it was so good - giving me the opportunity to continue to ensure that I do those things on every piece of work.

As I have finished my degree the information I received in my feedback on each piece of work will assist me when I complete a training contract because I have picked up on small skills and things that I can look for in specific pieces of work that will ensure my work is at a high standard.

The insight was very well structured as it allowed me get to know a variety of aspects of the firm from trainees to practice areas; application tips to corporate responsibility information. The whole thing flowed smoothly, just sad that it wasn't longer to have gathered even more information on the firm.

The atmosphere during the insight was extremely relaxed, allowing me to feel the same. Everyone was extremely welcoming and always to willing to spend time getting to know you as well as allowing you to really get to know them. I instantly felt at ease with the firm and everyone there.

Throughout my time at Shoosmiths, I have been able to get involved with a wide variety of work. I was able to attend team meetings; draft a disciplinary policy; review case files to offer my opinion on potential claims and decide what amendments should be made to a contract. Getting involved in ongoing cases was great as you felt like you were being useful to your team as well as gaining experience yourself

I feel that I have gained a true and realistic insight into what life would be like as a Shoosmiths trainee and couldn’t have asked for a better experience of the firm. The most enjoyable aspect of my placement was spending every lunch with the trainees in the office. As an aspiring trainee it was great to spend so much time getting to discuss their lives as trainees and how they came to be at Shoosmiths

I originally applied to Shoosmiths because their core values are not just a statement but are reality and I have experienced that mentality even more during the insight. I was able to understand and see what those values really meant in the firm and how they expected everyone to demonstrate them.

The content was really valuable in confirming that I am committed to following this career path, which after 4 years of education is a really great feeling. The whole experience has shown me that I love the collaboration and variety of work done by the firm.

The firm have stated that I will be paid their standard payment for a weeks vac scheme placement and they are willing to reimburse my accommodation expense. This is so great to hear as city centre accommodation in the summer is costly and this means that that is one less thing to worry about.

Yes, I was encouraged to meet and speak to as many people as possible throughout not only this office but other offices as well. I was introduced to everyone with my office when I was involved in the charity sweepstake and was given the details of people from another office to help me create my presentation for the week.

There weren't any social events on in the week that I attended but I regularly networked over lunch and spoke to as many people as possible. I found it much more relaxed and natural to just talk to people around the office rather than in a set networking event where you feel like you need to make small talk.

There weren't any organised for the week that I was there but I was informed that the trainees have severe organised in their first week wight he firm. In the milton keynes office they went to hot yoga last year, a story that many of the trainees were telling showing that they had clearly enjoyed the activity.

Yes I would recommend the insight to anyone wanting to know more about the firm and law in general. I feel that these types of events are so useful to getting a realistic feel for the firm rather than just relying on the information that you are given on the internet and/or word of mouth.