First year spring week Review

by A&O Shearman

Best Student Employer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.9/5
  • About You
    4.4
  • The Company
    4.0
  • Everything Else
    3.1

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • I really enjoyed the insight, it provided an in-depth overview of the firm through presentations and work-shadowing. There was lots of workshops to improve soft skills and interview technique as well as application tips which were very useful. There was also plenty of opportunities to ask the graduate Rec team questions which was a good opportunity to ask individual questions.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • I felt quite valued. The firm tried to make us all feel important and like Intelligent young adults. When it was someone’s birthday - this was acknowledged with cake. The law firm gave us a generous goody bag and brochures. The law firm W paired us with a trainee buddy who went to the same university as us, which showed they valued us.

    4/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • Great level of guidance and support through workshops, presentation, one on one questions, workshadowing and speed questioning with trainees. There WeRe lots of opportunities to receive guidance and support. My favourite was personally the workshops about productivity and optimum output in work level because it was something that can improve your life as a whole and not related to the law firm in particular benefiting from it.

    5/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • It assisted in choosing between firms and understanding the difference culture, heirarchy, type of work and deals. If didn’t really assist me in my degree art from then fact it was stressed a 2:1 was mandatory - this made me work a bit harder during my degree to achieve thgraduate mandatory 2:1.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • Very good structure . There were three days of activities as well as the opportunity to go abroad which was amazing. It was wel structure with adequate quick breaks in between and lunch and social after hours events. The structure of events was logical and flowed well with a breadth of different presentations and events to not bore the students.

    5/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • It was friendly, collaborative but quite serious. Some people seemed too stressed and like they couldn’t take a break which was not good - perhaps they would have benefited from a stress reduction workshop. However, the majority appeared well rested and friendly. Most people really liked what they were doing and like they got lots of support from their supervisors.

    5/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • 3/5

  • 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?
  • Very good idea through rhe workshadowing. I was able to see first hand how trainees worked on what deals, their relationships between other senior stuff, how they were valued, and how much they worked, what responsibilities they had. Also through the speed networking with trainees - this provided a good insight.

    5/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • 3/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • Very very valuable. I know now I definitely want to go into commercial Law and work at this firm. This was confirmed throughout the 3 days. Trainees seemed valued, appreciated and given large responsibilities which is very important. It was a good way to compare law firms and other insight days to decide which law firm.

    5/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
  • There was the option to be reimbursed for travel if you wanted to. This was I think to a max of a reasonable amount. I didn’t find it necessary to reimburse tube fares but others reimbursed their tRain tickets. There was also the option to stay in a hotel for those who lived far away which was provided by Allen and Overy.


  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • Sooooo many opportunities. Trainees, associates and partners and grad Rec. lots of opportunities so was very happy. There was also designated slots to networking which was amazing. I met so many people, asked a lot of questions about the firm and their time there and was able to add some people on LinkedIn.

    5/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • 3/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • 3/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • 3/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

London

October 2018


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