Student Review

The placement was well enjoyed, as it gave great insight into the areas of law that the department were concerned with as well as insight into working life. The tasks provided were varied and gave a huge perspective of the allocated department. Events also included meeting other employees in the department, giving a highly informative view on the ups and downs of working at the firm. The team at the firm ensured that as much exposure and information was provided to all those participating in the program.

All the employees at the firm ensured that I was included in many different tasks and conversations, a testament to the firm's work to establish a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Soon after arrival, I was introduced to many of the department team and with whom I was able to engage throughout my time at the firm. Everyone was exceptionally friendly and open to questions about their department.

Those acting as supervisors during the week continually verified my progress throughout the placement, never hesitating to explain more challenging concepts or tasks, fully aware of the limited extent of my prior knowledge of the department. Support was abundantly given by both the placement team and the other employees in the department although the importance placed upon personal resilience was consistent. An encouraging atmosphere remained throughout the placement.

The skills developed over the course of this place are exceedingly valuable. Understanding between clients and a company as well as the maintaining good relationships amongst employees were clearly demonstrated, emphasising that necessity in any working environment which is especially useful as one looks towards finding a career beyond future education. The information given during the placement showed in great detail how the department runs and provided insight into some of the assignments that may later appear in working life. Knowledge also gained in regards to company life, including observations into the commitments and responsibilities of the firm as a whole, was helpful, particularly as one seeks to establish oneself in the life of a business in later life.

The placement was not over-structured to the extent of not accurately reflecting life in a working firm. However, tasks were regularly administered to both educate those participating in the placement and to assist those working at the firm. An introduction meeting was arranged at the start of the placement to provide information about the placement and the firm and grant the opportunity for those involved with the placement to get to know one another. A meeting was organised around the middle of the week with employees from different areas of law as a chance to ask questions about working at the firm or in different departments. At the end of the placement, there was also a discussion of how well we, those on the placement course, enjoyed the experience and what we had learnt throughout the week. This also gave us the opportunity to ask questions about applying for jobs within the firm or in similar areas as well as the chance to seek advice on future degree and university options.

The general atmosphere was warm, welcoming and active - what I would now consider a good working environment. Good conversations with others in the law department as well as those in other areas on the work placement program were unceasing and for a student who was experiencing a work place for the first time, encouragement came from all sides. Other employees were friendly and open and all tasks were clearly explained, so that the placement was interesting and highly informative. Those regularly working at the firm engaged with us during our lunch breaks to provide us with insight into the firm while we got to know each other, giving a friendly atmosphere throughout our time at the firm.

The firm invested a great deal of time in all of those participating in the placement program. Those supervising the program, including the assigned trainees tasked with providing assignments and introducing those engaged in the placement to the department, were particularly committed into ensuring that the placement was a learning experience and that each of the course participants was able to develop their skills as a future employee.

The insight provided invaluable information into working life, chiefly working life at the firm where the placement was held. The assignments covered a variety of tasks to cover the full scope of work that is done at the firm, giving insight into many key areas of the firm. There were few deadlines and generally the participants were not given tasks throughout the whole day, allowing a seamless immersion into the daily life at the firm which was very useful. Realistically there was little in the way of long hours or stress, two factors that are often said to be prominent in a law firm although this would possibly overtax those on the placement if it was introduced. Of course, being a shorter work placement, other challenges normally experienced by employees in all areas of work such as a good work-life balance, although expressed by the employees in the firm, was not experienced greatly.

Much of the insight, including some of the conferences placement participants were allowed to attend, focused on the company culture and the company's role in wider society, particularly it's international influence when partnering with charitable organisations. The company's welcoming atmosphere and encouragement in the placement tasks strongly testified to the company's policy to include and support individuals within the company, again reflected in the firm's work to support the community around them, well presenting the culture of the company. Friendly, even familial interaction between employees also highlighted the open environment in which the firm operates.

The content of the placement was sincerely valuable in looking beyond higher education into the world of work so that one can consider the aspects of a firm that create a good working environment as well as providing insight into working as a lawyer, offering a lot of information that should be considered as one embarks on a new career path. As well as giving the opportunity to explore law as an option, the placement also gave considerable detail about the different departments areas of law that employees can choose to work in.

Personally, I do not feel that the work produced for the firm exceeded the time and input that the firm put into the producing the program for the participants and therefore neither party is owed any expenses. Most external expenses including food and travel expenses to and from the firm are not usually covered by the firm so that this gave good insight into the working life of the firm's employees.

There were a significant number of networking opportunities where the placement participants were able to engage with the other employees at the firm to get involved in the firm's community as well as to gain insight into their areas of law to create a well-rounded experience of all the departments within the company. Networking opportunities varied from unplanned social encounters to organised meetings where employees gave accounts from their various departments. Despite working in an office environment, there were numerous chances to engage with the others working around you.

The networking and social event opportunities were brilliant occasions in order to engage with other employees in the firm in order to learn more about the firm or to discuss each other's experience in education leading up to one's career and involvement in the firm. Friendly discussions often were held between employees and placement participants, turning social occasions into learning opportunities.

Insight was provided on several occasions into the organisations that the firm work with and the events therefore that the company are involved in, particularly community events that the employees enjoy participating in. However, it was conveyed that most out-of-work activities that the employees are involved in are independent to the firm and the work of the firm. It would be interesting to learn more about the activities the firm supports that its employees can get involved in outside of work.

I would highly recommend this insight to friends, particularly those considering law as a future employment option or jobs in similar career environments. This has been one of the few placements seemingly available to younger students desiring exposure to and experience in a working environment. I was able to learn a lot about the firm itself and the departments that are within the company, including the individual of the firm's employees. Therefore, I can conclude that the knowledge and insight I was able to gain during this experience has been immensely useful for considering future decisions regarding degree options, career options and beyond.