
This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
-
About You
-
The Company
-
Everything Else
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
- 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
- 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 5. How well structured was the insight?
- 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
- 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 8. To what extent did the insight help you to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company or firm?
- 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
- 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
- 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
- 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
- 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
- 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
- 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
About You
This was the most enjoyable work experience type placement that I have done. It was extremely well organised, everyone was so welcoming, friendly and excited for the scheme, we were given incredible accesss to the people and resources of the firm and I really felt valued. The scheme absolutely confirmed that this is my dream Firm.
I felt highly valued during my time on the scheme. This was firstly shown through the way that the scheme was organised; it was so well thought out and maticulously organised. As well as this, there was a genuine excitement in the office about our arrival and time there. Everyone seemed interested in us and invested in how well we did. This was also shown through the numerous numbers of appraisals and opportunity for feedback and improvement that we were given. They wanted what was best for us at all times and were so supportive.
We received a lot of support and guidance throughout the scheme. Again, this was shown through the organisation because we knew exactly what was going on, when and why and how it would all be used to make decisions so we were never unsure or in the dark about what was going on. Additionally, the fact that we were given a trainee buddy and supervisor for each seat meant we always had someone to guide us and go to for help if we needed it. This was all further facilitated by the fact that the environment was so welcoming and positive.
The skills that I developed throughout the scheme will definitely help me in later life. The skills that I developed included communication, teamwork, legal analysis, collaboration, leadership, networking, creating good first impressions, drafting, summarising, presenting and commercial awareness. These were developed throughout the work we were given, the multiple networking events and the presentation we had to prepare for the end of the scheme.
The Company
The scheme was very well structured. With a combination of time in departments, ‘focus on’ sessions which involved talks from the different practice groups, socials and then timetables slots in our presentation groups, it was well varied and spread out. The only downfall was one day where there was a lot of focus on sessions so we didn’t get much time in the department at all but this was a one off.
The general was atmosphere during the scheme was one of excitiement and welcome. Everyone seemed so genuinely happy and excited for our time with them and invested in how well we were doing and how much we enjoyed it. It made me feel very comfortable and able to be myself. This was emphasised by the fact that everyone there seemed to get on so well.
As said previously, I felt like the firm hugely invested in me whilst I was there. The amount of time and effort and energy that they put into the scheme was amazing and everything seemed to be to help us to develop our skills rather than just trying to get us to do work and help them out in the office, the latter of which I have experienced at other firms.
Very much so. We spent time in two different departments and were encouraged to get as involved in them as possible. This meant that I went to a few client event and seminars, socials with the lawyers and coffees with many people. We were also given work that actually had to be done by the trainees. The only reason I wouldn't rate this higher is because we did a lot of activities and talks together as a cohort and outside of the departments we were sat in so the day was much more varied and split up than it would be in a full time role there.
There was not much more that they could have done. The amount of people that took the time to come and talk to us or see us and the amount of events that were put on for us to mingle at, and even spending time in the departments all did this. The thing that was special here was that many firms try to give you and insight into the firm, but this is the only firm I have been to where what everyone is telling you the culture is, is actually true and you can see it all around you.
It completely confirmed that I want to be a solicitor and most likely a contentious one too. I would also like to try real estate as a trainee which I would not have done before. Additionally, I am taking IP as a paper next year because I loved sitting in IP and Media and would like to do this on my training contract.
Everything Else
We were paid £375 per week (an increase from last year) which I think is good money. It covered all my costs and gave me money to spare. I think a little more would be perfect but the hours were pretty reasonable and they took us on a lot of socials which were all completely paid for.
Every opportunity every day. In the department you are sat in, the people that you did work for, the talks that we were given, client events that we went to etc. We were encouraged to talk to as many people as possible and lots of employees turned up to our networking events. At other firms, employees would often just not even tun up to them.
They were really good. A good variety of things. Two socials (one in each week) with the trainees to get to know them. Then drinks on the Friday night of each week with the rest of the firm (one to celebrate pride and the other to celebrate the end of our scheme). These were really well attended and there was lots of food and drink at them both.
A little bit. I know there are a few sports teams as some of the trainees are int he girls' football team and they go away every year. But I am not very sporty so apart from Pro Bono (which I am very interested in and TW spoke about a lot to us) I was not particularly bothered about asking abut them.
Yes, everyone. It was an invaluable experience and I cannot imagine someone who wouldn't love the firm. We were so welcomed and well looked after and I genuinely had so much fun even though we worked hard. It was the best organised scheme that I did and can hardly fault it.
Details
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
London
July 2018