Vacation Scheme Student Review

The scheme was highly enjoyable. The graduate recruitment team were on hand at all times to answer any queries and the whole week ran seamlessly. The events were well-executed and we were able to learn lots about the firm, despite the short period of time. The people at Allen & Overy are all incredibly friendly; that is something the firm prides itself on, and that's not just a marketing gimmick - The employees are all genuinely willing to help and chat to you, from the PAs to the partners.

I felt really valued - The work was of a high quality and we got to do tasks that were for huge deals. On my first day, I was asked to conduct a research task into a deal and the next morning, it was on the FT website. My trainer explained all of the work he asked me to in detail and took extensive time to explain exactly where my contribution fit in to the grand scheme of the deal. Everyone was so willing to help that you felt you were really integrated into the firm, despite only being there for 1 week.

The guidance and support was of a really high quality - Everyone, from graduate recruitment, partners and associates to trainees and the PAs, were more than happy to answer any question or query, even if that related to working out the printing system! Having done vacation schemes elsewhere, the support from A&O was unparalleled.

The business acumen I developed definitely helped in revising for the law and business modules I am doing this year. The research skills I already had were honed and increased by the tasks I was set and this taught me to be more thorough and detailed in my wok, especially when reading something technical. Lastly, the communication and networking skills I used during my time at A&O will definitely help me in the future within all aspects of life, especially when conversing with high profile clients.

The scheme was incredibly well structured - Time was used efficiently; we experienced many aspects of A&O from the pro bono initiatives to the innovative and strategic objectives of the firm. We were given an adequate amount of time in our departments, which gave us a real insight into the areas and type of work done, but we also got given lots of time to do development activities such as a Business Development Game and a written assessment based on amending clauses. Our scheme was only a week so the organisers did well to cram such a vast amount of worthwhile and valuable activities into a short period of time.

Again, everyone at A&O is friendly, approachable and fun, but they also work extremely hard to get work of high quality completed. The atmosphere was both professional and exciting and no two days were the same. The culture in the firm means that even senior level partners will talk to vacation schemers in the lifts etc. and that means that the atmosphere is inclusive. Every single day on the scheme was fun and enjoyable and that genuinely reflects what it is like to work at the firm.

There were many training and development programmes, from IT systems to development games and activities. Our trainers were with us every day and really ensured we understood the work we were doing and the general meaning behind it. We were given diverse and interesting tasks, that were different each day, and as a result, I believe the training and development at the firm is unrivalled.

The work was incredibly challenging and was actually the work given to trainees. A lot of our time was spent in our departments so we got a unique and invaluable chance to observe, take part and understand the genuine work that lawyers at the firm undertake every single day.

The culture of the firm is genuinely friendly, open and approachable. Every single employee has the same values that A&O stand for and the scheme confirmed this to me. A lot of the time, firms can claim to have a friendly working environment, but this is merely a marketing gimmick; at A&O, this is actually true and it's such a lovely, positive atmosphere to be surrounded by.

It confirmed to me that I wanted to go into commercial law - The work was interesting, the firm has a lot of international links and the people were genuine and friendly. The content of the day was diverse and this helped me to realise that I would like to work for A&O in the future.

A&O pay £450 to their vacation scheme students to adequately reflect the cost of living in London.

There were lots of opportunities for networking. The graduate recruitment team often set up coffees for students, so they could talk to people not in their department. There were networking events on 2/5 nights - firstly, there was a drinks reception with future trainees which allowed us to network with our potential peers and get to know the type of people that will be working for A&O in the future. Secondly, we had a dinner at the Dorchester with partners. These partners rotated with every course so we were given the opportunity to speak to 3 very senior level partners on an intimate basis.

There were lots of opportunities for networking; There were networking events on 2/5 nights - firstly, there was a drinks reception with future trainees which allowed us to network with our potential peers and get to know the type of people that will be working for A&O in the future. Secondly, we had a dinner at the Dorchester with partners. These partners rotated with every course so we were given the opportunity to speak to 3 very senior level partners on an intimate basis.

We were given the opportunity to join sports clubs for the week, practice with the choir and meet up with any representatives from the initiatives we supported personally. I went for coffee with two of the female partners involved in the Women's Network and learned more about how they are working to improve gender equality within the firm.

Absolutely - It was a really high quality, the people were lovely and sincere and the work was really interesting.