Insight Scheme Review

I very much enjoyed the Allen & Overy First programme. Being able to spend an entire day in the office in March and coming back in September was a valuable experience. The graduate recruitment team put a lot of effort in the First programme to make is as useful for first-year law students eager to gain an insight into a Magic Circle firm. We took part in different workshops and learnt about the skills a commercial lawyer needs.

The entire day was meticulously planned which showed that this day was not only important to me but also to Allen & Overy. Whilst I was eager to get to know the firm, the firm also wanted to learn more about all participants, given that they might be the future generation of lawyers at Allen & Overy. The graduate recruitment had obviously put much thought into the planning of this day, organising a wide variety of talks, workshops, exercises and networking opportunities for us.

I felt very well supported throughout the entire Allen & Overy First scheme. During the office visit in March, the graduate recruitment team was always available to help and answer any questions, ensuring the smooth running of the day and creating a comforting atmosphere for all attendees. The networking session with our trainee 'buddies' was particularly supportive. After the office visit we could keep in touch with the graduate recruitment team through a Facebook group created specifically for the First scheme.

During my day at the London office I could take part in a number of workshops and exercises which were very useful for my future career as a commercial lawyer. The negotiating exercise was particularly helpful as it showed my which skills I still need to develop when I am negotiating in a commercial setting. We also received valuable information about the application process at Allen & Overy. Networking with the trainees was important to me as well because I could ask my trainee 'buddy' as many questions as I liked, providing me with a genuine and first-hand picture of life at Allen & Overy.

The insight day was very well structured. We were emailed a programme before the day and given information on how to get to the office. On the day, everything seemed to go according to plan and the day was well-balanced with a sufficient number of breaks.

The atmosphere at the office was very welcoming. I felt as if I could ask the graduate recruitment team and the trainers any question and received genuine answers. The other attendees were also friendly and through the Facebook group we could keep in touch afterwards.

Allen & Overy clearly has invested in me by providing me with this amazing opportunity to visit their office. I took part in different workshops which helped me to develop skills I need for my future career as a lawyer. A talk given by a partner at the firm was particularly useful.

During the day at the office we were able to spend a substantial amount of time we our trainee 'buddies' which was very helpful for me. I felt as if I could ask her any questions and she gave very useful and genuine answers. This enabled me to form a clear picture about life as a lawyer at Allen & Overy. The talk given by the partner also helped me to understand what it means to have a full time role at Allen & Overy.

Being able to spend an entire day at the London office really helped me to understand and value the culture at the firm. Everyone was very welcoming and willing to answer my questions. The employees all seemed happy and content in their roles. It was nice to see that there was a variety of people working at Allen & Overy instead of one stereotype.

The content of the day very much helped to affirm my choice of becoming a commercial lawyer. The negotiating exercise in particular showed me how much I would enjoy working at Allen & Overy. Furthermore, the warm culture in the office showed me that Allen & Overy is the right firm for me.

All my travel expenses were reimbursed.

I was given plenty of opportunity to network with other employees. We were all assigned an indiviudal trainee 'buddy' who we could spend some time with. My trainee buddy took me to the office she shared with her supervisor and told me about her work. We also had the opportunity to network with Associates.

Since the programme only consisted of one day at the office, the social event opportunities were of course rather limited but we had sufficient breaks and conducted ice-breaking activities to get to know the other attendees. The networking opportunities were very valuable.

Yes. My trainee 'buddy' answered all my questions about the activities Allen & Overy offers to its employees outside work and there are plenty of them.

Definitely. The programme was very useful in terms of finding about the work and culture at the firm and I very much enjoyed my time at the office.