Pathfinder Student Review

The insight was well-structured and provided a good balance between workshops, shadowing and a social. The team were all friendly and approachable, the scheme as a whole offering a good opportunity to ask questions and grow in my understanding of law.

The graduate recruitment team were all friendly; shadowing especially offered an opportunity to meet other members of the firm who were equally welcoming and kind, answering questions honestly and openly.

Over the insight I received guidance on the process of application, and through shadowing received support in understanding a case, gaining understanding in how best to meet clients' needs throughout a project.

I was able to develop skills in relation to practical legal work, such as examining legal documents and gaining a better understanding of correspondence and work behind the primary documentation in a project. Workshops supported my development of personal branding and commercial awareness, two areas in which many students struggle. This targeted approach to tackling issues faced by students seeking a legal career was appreciated, to support applications, gaining a better understanding of the corporate world and improve my ability to effectively participate in teamwork in a corporate environment in future.

The insight allowed for opportunity to shadow, undergo workshops and enjoy a social event which allowed for networking with trainees, as well as better getting to know other participants and the graduate recruitment team. Over the insight time was well-allocated between these different events, offering opportunities to ask questions throughout time at the firm.

Everyone was friendly at the firm, especially when I found myself lost in the office! The participants integrated well and graduate recruitment ensured the atmosphere was open, fun and focussed so that we could gain everything we wanted from the insight.

The firm put on several workshops to support students in areas notably of difficulty such as commercial awareness and personal branding. This built a base on which development of these skills can now take place, moving forward more confidently.

The opportunity to shadow an employee of the firm over a reasonable period of time allowed for more of an insight into day-to-day work and a chance to gain a more in-depth understanding of a single case. This provided a more accurate insight into life as an employee than had there merely been workshops and brief networking opportunities.

The insight offered a chance to see the company at work and exposure to what day-to-day culture in the company is like, as well as gaining an understanding of what the company looks for in prospective employees and the values it holds.

The day reassured me that my ambitions to become a corporate lawyer are still well-founded and valid. Shadowing demonstrated daily life reasonably accurately, and offered the opportunity to discuss daily life in the firm, which reiterated for me that corporate law remains a career I would like to pursue.

The firm was generous in paying for travel and accommodation, other firms offer payment for their schemes but this did not seem necessary, given the costs incurred by the firm for expenses.

Shadowing offered this opportunity, and whilst shadowing I was introduced to a number of other employees of the firm. Trainees were available during a social to talk to, though, admittedly, there was not significant time to spend with trainees during the insight.

The social event was fun, enjoyable and provided an opportunity to get to know graduate recruitment and other participants.

Aside from a brief mention of this in one of the workshops, this was not mentioned. Shadowing may have been an opportunity to explore this further, had I wanted to find out more about employee activities.

Definitely! The scheme was fun, insightful and helped me grow in my knowledge of the firm, and corporate law as a whole. I gained the opportunity to meet friendly, approachable individuals who were willing to answer questions and support my development, as I continue along with the ambition to work in corporate law.