Summer Scheme Review

I really enjoyed the vac scheme to a very large extent. This is because I felt as though everyone was really trying to give me interesting work that actually reflects the work I would be doing if I were to train there, and was actually relevant to what was going on within the teams at the time.

I felt valued to a large extent because whenever the people in my team were actually seeking out my help with their tasks, and every time I completed a task they would take the time to thank me for the work that I had done and give me feedback on it.

I received a lot of guidance and support. Any tasks that I was asked to do were clearly explained, and my trainee buddy often came by to check up on me and make sure I was doing ok. If I had any questions, I felt I was able to ask people.

The skills that I developed will assist me because I've learnt how to real and digest difficult concepts, the level of work I am expected to do and the speed at which I am expected to do them, and also soft skills like how to interact with people in a professional setting. However, I was only here for two weeks so there was a limit to the amount of work and insight I could get.

The insight was very well structured. There were lots of interesting and helpful events such as networking, tours etc. and also fun socials that we were encouraged to attend. This was well balanced with the time on the floors, when I could get involved on interesting work with the teams I was based in. The only negative is that in my second week, I didn't have that much time on the floor, but I think all the events that resulted in that was helpful so not really sure how that could be improved.

The general atmosphere was very good. Everyone within my team, and everyone that I met outside of my team as well, were really friendly and I never felt like I was a bother or like I was wasting anyone's time. There was also general friendliness between everyone at the firm and I felt like everyone really got on well with each other.

I feel like the firm invested in me quite a lot, especially considering I was only here for a two week vac scheme so there isn't really a whole lot of personal training that I can receive. Despite this, very helpful networking events were organised, and a I was given a really good level of work that actually allowed to me find out more about the practice areas I was in.

The insight helped me understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the firm a lot. This is because I was given some really good tasks, that the trainees and associates that I met told me were classic trainee tasks, so I felt I was actually getting a good insight into what I would be doing if I were to get a training contract.

The insight helped me understand the company culture a lot. I was able to sit within the teams that I was placed in, speaking with the other members of the team on a daily basis, seeing how everyone interacts with one another, and this was really invaluable in seeing how people are and how they interact with one another.

The vac scheme was really helping in deciding on my future career path. I knew I wanted to go into law already, so it didn't change that, but I didn't know what practice areas I wanted to go into. I have enjoyed both the departments I have been in massively, and they are now both very strong contenders for possible seats I would like to be in if I get a training contract.

I was paid £300 per week for the experience, and I was also given £60 on my security pass which was to be used in the café, which sells breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks. As everything in the café is really cheap, £60 was more than enough for the two weeks - in fact I only spent about £20 during the time I was here.

There were so many opportunities for networking and meeting other employees. There were some organised networking events, which we were all encouraged to attend, but also I was able to network with other employees just by asking them for a coffee. Everyone I spoke to was really open about this idea, and were happy to take time out of their day speak with me and help me out with my questions.

There were loads of social events during the two week vac scheme. We had a cocktail masterclass and a dinner with the trainees, and HR also organised drinks for the vac schemers only. I thought it was really good that social with trainees but also socials with just the vac schemers were organised, as it gave us the chance to relax and really get to know each other.

I found out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work from other trainees who would tell me about the different things that they are involved in. They also invited us to a lot of events, which was great!