Vacation scheme Review

It was a very interesting experience with a lot of real life tasks given to me. I have given it a high rating due to the fact that I have been given a mixture of tasks which helped to widen my experience, and I felt I was treated respectfully by everyone I have met. My only minor suggestion would be that it would be even better if there were more work given to ask without having to constantly go around asking for work.

People I have worked with had taken time to give me feedback, both positive and constructive. Even with the people who are extremely busy who do not have time for detailed feedback would let me know their appreciation, which definitely made me feel valued. My trainee buddies have constantly checked-in on me to ensure I didn't feel left out which was also important to me.

A lot. With most tasks I have completed, I was given detailed instructions prior to starting to the tasks, alongside with some useful starting points. In the odd situations where the person giving instructions had urgent business to attend to, they were happy to review my tasks mid-way and after to provide further guidance when needed.

As a full time employer in a law firm, some of the information given to me were already known to me prior to the starting of the vac scheme. However, what I have found very useful was that when being taught about the tasks I completed, I was not only taught about ways to complelte the tasks, but ways of thinking which I find extremely beneficial.

I was given mostly all of the information I would like to have during the scheme and I think it was very well stuctured. I think there was a good balance between information events and time spent in the departments to give us a good taste of both sides. Perhaps it would be helpful to have a general information session on the different departments within the firm and how they interact etc.

It was great. The atmosphere between the vac schemers is generally quite chilled, and this remains the same with the social events with the HR team and trainees. There were a lot of interesting events, but there was also never really pressure to stay on or leave at a certain time, which was a very nice feeling.

There was quite a lot of training which again made me feel valued, and I found the research training very useful even as a law student. My supervisors and trainee buddies also spent a lot of time explaining the firm and the departments to me so I definitely felt there was a lot of investment and support.

I had a good insight into what sort of work trainees would do at Simmons which was very helpful. However, as a vac schemers, the tasks we get are ad hoc by nature, therefore it is quite difficult to determine how it would be like to be on a long term matter for example.

Different events and time spent in departments during the two weeks were very helpful, and people did not hesitate to share their opinions about the firm which was very positive. Even the way the information events were held was a very good reflection of the firm's culture. Perhaps social events involving the wider firm would be even better.

I have known prior to the experience that I wanted to become a commercial lawyer, ideally in a firm like Simmons, therefore the experience has encouraged me further and helped me to solidify my decision. The most valuable part of this experience is that i am now more sure that a firm such as Simmons would be the right choice for my future career.

We were paid £300 per week

There was on average 1 event per day to meet different teams from the firm. It was very useful to be able to speak to a wide range of people. We were also introduced to the departments we sat in on our first day, where we were brought around by our trainee buddies and spoken to everyone in the departments which was very helpful.

They were very helpful as they provided good opportunities to hear from people from different areas. Although not originally interested in the commercial department, having heard the TMT case study, it was very insightful and definitely raised my interest in this area. The evening social events were also great as we got to speak to others in a more relaxed environments.

Yes, we were told about them through various events including trainees panel, general chats with others and events with HRs. We were also given opportunities to participate in some of these events outside of work which was even better as it gives us the real life experience such as pro bono and fin tech talk.

Most likely. I think the programme was well arranged and interesting, with a good mixture of information and social events. I also felt I was treated with respect and was given suitable work. However with Simmons' strategy focus, I may not necessary recommend any friends who are not interested in the focused industries of Simmons.