RPC Summer Scheme Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the insight, it was fantastically organised and gave a great overview of the work and people of the firm. The time on the floors was enjoyable and I was able to get involved with a variety of work for lots of different people. The socials were a great way to break the ice between both other vac schemers and the trainees and helped to create the friendly atmosphere.

The time spent by the team in organising workshops as well as impromptu meetings clearly highlighted how invested the firm are in future talent. This showed to me that RPC would be a great place to work and train as no one was every too busy to answer a question or explain a concept.

The timetable was sent to us the week before the scheme began which was useful so we knew what to expect ahead of starting. Throughout the scheme, grad recruitment were always on hand if we needed any questions or were unable to attend a workshop if we had been invited to a meeting and so were more the happy to accommodate for changes. My supervisors and trainee buddy were also very supportive throughout and I would always feel comfortable going to them with a question or to ask for work when needed.

I learned skills such as office organisation which included how to prioritise work based on demand and deadlines as well as how a general matter is run at the firm. Alongside the more discrete skills, I picked up soft skills such as 'office etiquette' which was useful for further internships and definitely useful in any place of work. Learning how to (very) quickly read a judgement and summarise it or any contracts is a skills which I know will be useful for my final year at university.

There was a perfect balance between structured talks and free time on the floors. Having the timetable ahead of the week allowed me to plan my time effectively and attend various meetings both with clients and within the department. We heard from all departments in the firm in interactive workshops and learned more about the structure of the training contract.

Really friendly! Everyone was more than welcoming and whenever in the lift people would ask how we are doing and if we're enjoying our time in the firm. There was a non-competitive atmosphere which made it easy to make friends with the other VAC schemers and the social with just the students was a great way for us to get to know one another!

A weekly review with our supervisor was useful to see what we had done well and if there were any areas we needed to improve. This was also useful to take on board any feedback into the final week so we could improve our performance and show that we had implemented the feedback. A review with grad recruitment was also a nice way to end the scheme as we looked back on the last couple weeks, showing a heavy investment into personal training and development.

The way the scheme was structured provided a great overview as to the role of a trainee and beyond. Through the structured workshops, time on the floors and informal coffees we were able to gain an honest view of the firm and the support on offer if starting a career there.

The company culture was evident through talking to a range of individuals throughout the firm. It was clear to see the friendly culture and approachability of lawyers. The insight structure showed the investment into future talent and so I felt that this helped me in further understand the company culture and that it would be a great place to train and work.

the guidance and support offered by the departments which I sat in helped me to gain a better idea of the kind of legal career I wish to pursue. Hearing about the experience of others and how they reached the point in their careers was useful to gather ideas and see where I would like to go.

£300 p/w and travel expenses for the start and end of the scheme.

There were multiple opportunities to network both through structured insights and informal chats. Many people were more than happy to meet up and discuss further about their experiences or work if we wanted to find out more. The open plan nature of the office allowed for quick chats with others if they were free and find out about their time at RPC.

The socials were really well organised and provided a great informal setting to get to know other students and the trainees. Swingers mini golf was really fun and we had great food and drink there! The 'VAC schemers only' drinks was nice to know one another freely and make new friends on the scheme.

We found out about the various sports clubs trainees could get involved in as well as the annual RPC ski trip. This was not through the formal talks but instead through the casual networking and at the socials. The trainees also told us about their personal activities they can get involved with if they were not busy during the work periods.

Absolutely! RPC is a great place to train and work. The VAC scheme was fantastically organised and provided a great insight into the firm and the life of a trainee. With such a friendly atmosphere, I felt at ease right away and was more than happy to ask questions to others in (and out of) my department.