Vacation Scheme Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my online placement scheme. Although it was virtual I was still able to gain a valuable insight into the firm and understand further the work done within the different practice areas, as well as undertake some 'trainee-like' tasks. I was given to opportunity to talk to my supervisor as well as my buddy which was extremely helpful and the placement scheme also has activities organised such as the book binding and doughnut decorating which were fun!

I felt extremely valued during my time on the placement. No matter how busy people were, everyone was willing to take time out of their day to help you make the most out of the placement scheme. My supervisor was able to put me in contact with someone from a department I was interested in, and throughout the entire scheme the graduate recruitment team worked extremely hard to ensure we still were given a valuable insight into the firm so that we enjoyed our time.

I received throughout the placement scheme all the guidance and support that was necessary. The graduate recruitment team were extremely helpful and organised catch-up talks throughout the week to ensure they could answer any questions we had. They also created a Whatsapp group chat for us which meant they could quickly answer anything. They also individually called each vacation-scheme student for a one-on-one catch-up session which gave us the opportunity to ask them anything privately, and to find out how we were finding the scheme.

I found the information that I learnt during the scheme very insightful. Talks from each department of the firm were held everyday which allowed me to gain a further understanding of the kind of work that the firm does for its clients. The scheme also allowed me to see and take on myself some of the kinds of tasks trainees would do on a daily basis whilst working at the firm. The scheme also held a talk for students hosted by BPP who regarding the GDL and the next steps for this, which was extremely helpful.

I thought the vacation scheme was extremely well structured. Throughout the day we were given a range of tasks/talks and activities to do, so that we were provided with an array of different things. The vacation scheme was structured perfectly so that we had the first two days to adjust to using the new technology and familiarize ourselves with everyone before then having the assessment centre on Wednesday, and then having the final two days to be a bit more relaxed and enjoy without stress the rest of the vacation scheme. Throughout the day we were also given some breaks so that we could have comfort breaks and some 'off-screen time' which was very helpful.

Although the vacation scheme was held online, the graduate recruitment organised social activities throughout and used smaller 'breakout rooms', which meant that I got to individually know better the other vacation scheme students. This then made the whole experience a lot more pleasant for the week. Graduate recruitment also were extremely positive and reassuring throughout the week, which meant that the virtual vacation scheme was not awkward at all. They also organised for the vacation scheme students an 'inclusion and Diversity' activity which allowed us to get to know one another on a more personal and relatable level.

The firm invested time in the vacation scheme students so that we may be able to have a better understanding of the firm and gain an insight into the kind of work it carries out. The associates took time out of their day to explain to us the different areas of law they worked in and graduate recruitment allocated us different tasks which helped develop the kind of skills needed by a working trainee at the firm.

The talks provided by each practice area to the vacation scheme students offered a very in-depth and detailed description of the kind of work we would be undertaking and the kinds of tasks we would be expected to carry out within each sector. On top of this, the daily tasks we were asked to carry out were of a similar nature to the tasks that would be asked of a trainee, so I was able to gain an insight into some of the work I would be carrying out.

Graduate recruitment organised the vacation scheme students to have a trainee lunch so that we could talk on a more personal level to the trainees already working at the firm. This helped me understand better the kind of people that the firm is looking to hire, as well as the values it instills within each employee. We were also given a series of Diversity and Inclusion, and technology talks which explain further the firm's key interest to promote these areas, and to help highlight the firm's culture.

After completing the vacation scheme, the experience not only consolidated my desire to pursue a career in commercial law, as this is definitely a line of work I am very interested in, but also confirmed that I would very much like to work for Stephenson Harwood if given the opportunity, as I feel many of the firm's values align with those of my own. Therefore I would consider the vacation scheme to have been extremely valuable.

I have been paid £380 for completing the week-long vacation scheme.

Graduate recruitment organised a trainee lunch which provided the vacation scheme students with the opportunity to network with the trainees and understand more about the kind of work they do. We were also given a supervisor and buddy who have our email addresses so that we can contact them in the future about the firm regarding any sort of queries we may have. The graduate recruitment also arranged social activities in the evenings which provided a more informal setting to nextwork.

Although the vacation scheme and therefore the social networking opportunities were virtual, graduate recruitment organised a notebook-binding and doughnut decorating evening so that we could network with and get to know the other trainees in a more informal setting.

Yes, during the firm's presentations the vacation scheme students were told about other social activities members of the firm can do outside of work. for example there is a rugby, netball and running team. Employees can also help volunteer and sponsor the firm's chosen charity of the year

I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in a career not just at Stephenson Harwood but within commercial law in general to undertake this fantastic vacation scheme. The firm provided not only very insightful and detailed presentations to help understand the kind of work it does, but also created networking opportunities as well as outside of work social events so that the vacation scheme students could get to know each other better. Would highly recommend it.