Summer Scheme Student Review

The summer scheme at RPC was highly organised and ran seamlessly over the two week period. All employees at the firm, including trainees and partners alike, were very open to questions and willing to have a conversation with you, a hugely friendly environment. The work we were provided with to carry out during the scheme really ensured you felt like you were actually contributing to the departments and an asset to them during your time!

Everyone you spoke to at the firm was friendly and genuinely seemed to take an interest in how you were getting on there, not only those trainees involved in the programme but others would still stop you in the lift to say hello! With the open plan nature of the offices its easy to introduce yourselves to everyone, with the atmosphere really being that of an enjoyable place to work.

On the first day of the scheme we were shown to the desks of [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] (the scheme organisers) and it was made very clear that at any point during the scheme we were more than welcome to pop along to discuss anything, the support being evident from here on. The allocation of a trainee buddy in each department also really helped, as they were able to guide you with any questions you had with anything from the work to whats best from the cafe downstairs!

During this scheme I truly learnt a great deal about the range of work which a trainee carries out. Also having the opportunity to not only carry out some of the usual tasks of a trainee, but also getting the chance to take part in other activities such as shadowing the outdoor court clerk. With feedback being given throughout the tasks, there was always things to take away and work on!

The structure of this scheme was clearly very well planned out with a lot of thought having been put into it. There was a great balance of time spent in departments, as well as other opportunities such as the speed networking sessions which provided a real insight into the different departments of RPC.

The summer scheme truly felt authentic, I never felt like I was a hindrance or I was being given work simply to keep me busy. It really showed the importance RPC place on their trainees and the investment they make in them. There is really no better way of finding out more about the firms atmosphere than experiencing it for yourself in RPC's summer scheme.

On the first day we were provided with IT training to help us navigate our way on the systems throughout the two weeks. Throughout the time in each department we were also given feedback on everything we carried out, as well as an end of week review in which we were encouraged to provide self feedback to discuss too.

With so many different opportunities on offer it truly highlighted the things which you would get to carry out as a trainee. The huge focus on the investment of teaching was evident throughout, with everyone from trainees to partners getting involved with the sessions on offer.

It truly showed that RPC is a friendly place to work with a collegiate atmosphere! Everyone was so willing to speak to you and really took an interest in not only the work which you were carrying out, but also in you. This too was shown in the level of support on offer for all members of staff, with a huge focus being placed on the well being of employees.

With both the networking opportunities throughout and the informational sessions put on, there truly was a chance to ask any question you possibly had during your time at RPC. It provided such an insight into the majority of the practice areas in the firm, I felt as though I learnt so much during about all of them in my time there!

Alongside paying the summer students during the scheme, RPC also tops up your ID card with money for lunch during the schemes duration. This was such a lovely and unexpected touch, and provided the opportunity for lots of informal networking over coffees and lunches during the scheme!

There were so many networking sessions on offer throughout our time at the firm that it would have been truly difficult to not meet at least one person from each department at RPC! The speed networking sessions allowed an insight into the majority of groups within the firm and everyone was so willing to speak to you!

Alongside our work activities there were also multiple events put on outside of work activities for us to get involved with. This allowed for more of an informal setting to get to know and ask questions to current trainees, getting to know everyone a little bet better and again gain a greater understanding of the firm.

During the scheme I picked up on some of the opportunities which were on offer outside of work, including the CSR opportunities as well as other social activities such as a netball team. During the scheme I also had the chance to attend other opportunities with trainees such as a lecture on insurance at Lloyds, which was hugely insightful!

100%