Vacation Scheme Student Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at RPC. From day one you are made to feel welcome and integrated into the firm. I feel I was engaged in real work that was valued by fee earners, rather than work created specifically for me to do to fill my time. I was able to attend client meetings and also court hearings. This experience was invaluable and it was extremely rewarding contributing to the firms success in the short period of time.

I felt extremely valued. My team always ensured I was aware how the work I completed was then utilised and incorporated into client work. For example drafting a summary email to a client, any recommendations I had, were then incorporated into the final draft which was sent to the client. My opinion on legal situations and conference calls was always valued.

Graduate recruitment were always on hand if there was anything in particular we needed. We were also given a supervisor and a trainee buddy in both seats. My supervisors could not have provided me with any more support, they trusted me to have the confidence to source my own work, but also ensured I was happy with my day to day tasks. I also has informal coffee's with the majority of both teams, to gain a wider understanding of how each team operates. I felt supported throughout the whole experience.

The skills I developed throughout the scheme will assist me when I start my training contract. I really felt as though I was utilised as a trainee throughout the scheme. I observed the working environment and how fee earners behave with clients directly. This is invaluable experience that I will put into practice when I do embark on my training contract.

RPC was the most structured vacation scheme I have attended. Our timetable was absolutely jam packed. We knew exactly where we needed to be on each day. The events varied from escape rooms to a tour of Lloyds of London, to pizza making, to networking afternoon tea and to practice area workshops. I felt as though we couldn't have been given more information about life at RPC. The thought and effort that went into creating out timetable shined through as everything ran seamlessly, making the two weeks even more enjoyable.

It was the perfect balance between a friendly and hard working environment. Everyone I came accross was extremely welcoming and engaged in the process. This helped us all to relax and ultimately made us feel extremely comfortable. All employees of the firm were willing to help us if we needed it. It made the experience enjoyable rather than nerve-racking.

The firm held a number of workshops, ranging from presentation skills to networking one on one with fee earners. The firm invested in us largely as they took the opportunity to run skills workshops, as opposed to spending our full two weeks on the floors. We were also always encouraged to ask for feedback throughout our time spent on the floor, this allowed us to develop our skills throughout our insight.

I was made to feel as though I was a true employee from the moment I walked into the firm. Everything about the scheme and the environment felt authentic and I didn't feel as though the firm had put on a show to impress us. The experience of actually working in the firm for two weeks is really unrivalled and gives you so much more of a greater understanding than simply researching via the internet.

It allowed me to completely understand what it would be like to work at the firm. I felt like a valued member of the team within a few days of being on the scheme. All employees from fee earners to support staff to DPD to receptionists were genuienly engaged in their roles and were interested in who we were, ensuring we felt welcomed.

By completing real working and participating in conference calls, client meetings and court hearings, it gave us the opportunity to decide whether we though the career path was really for us. Alongside the structured workshops, our time on the floors exposed us to the real work and how the role of a trainee can be extremely busy. It was an invaluable experience to act as a trainee for two weeks.

Yes, we were paid well for the two weeks. We were also reimbursed for our travel costs and we were given a card which was loaded to spend in the cafe, to ensure we did not have to purchase any of our own meals/coffees. This coupled with the excellent breakfasts and networking lunches provided meant we were never left hungry!

There were constantly networking opportunities accross the two weeks. We had an afternoon tea with trainees to partners. We also had specific speed networking opportunities with trainees and associates, in order to ask as many questions as we wanted to gain a broader understanding of how the departments worked. We also attended many socials with trainees.

The networking and social events were extremely enjoyable. We participated in an escape room and also a pizza making class with current trainees. These events were really enjoyable as it meant we were able to relax whilst still asking questions about the firm and gaining a better understanding a trainees role.

We attended various workshops where we were informed of the various initiatives that are on offer at RPC.

Absolutely. As well as experiencing the company culture first-hand, you also are utilised as a member of the firm and complete real work that is valued by fee earners throughout your two weeks. There are also more than enough opportunities to speak to fee earners in every single department, to ensure all of your questions are answered. The structure of the insight means there is also downtime which you can enjoy with your fellow vac schemers and current trainees. It's the perfect insight in order to decide with RPC is the right fit for you.