A&O First scheme Review
by A&O Shearman
This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
-
About You
5.0
-
The Company
5.0
-
Everything Else
5.0
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy the virtual experience?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
- 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the virtual experience?
- 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 5. How well structured was the virtual experience?
- 6. How was the general atmosphere during your virtual experience?
- 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 8. To what extent did the virtual experience help you to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company or firm?
- 9. How much did the virtual experience help you in understanding the company culture?
- 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
- 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
- 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
- 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
- 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
- 15. Would you recommend this virtual experience to a friend?
About You
Very much so - there were insights into the firm's practice areas, sessions with partners, associates and trainees, as well as professionals from the Advanced Delivery group.
The firm went to great effort to deliver the full two-day programme despite Covid-19 restrictions, even sending ingredients to us in the post for an evening social event.
We were assigned a trainee buddy who was available to answer any questions. Graduate Recruitment were also very good at answering any questions we had.
Very much so - there was a lot of coverage of key skills useful for a trainee solicitor, as well as information about the process for securing a training contract. Participants were fast-tracked to interview for a vacation scheme or training contract.
The Company
Fully structured over the course of the scheme, with a trainee buddy contact available before and after to answer additional questions.
Very welcoming from the firm. The cohort on the scheme was also great.
The firm provided guidance on the next steps to secure a training contract and fast-tracked participants through the vacation scheme and training contract application process.
There were several sessions with trainees (and trainee buddies were allocated) to provide insight into the work of a trainee at the firm.
As much as was realistically possible without an in-person element (due to Covid-19). The environment was very welcoming.
Very valuable - substantially increased my desire to pursue a career in law at the firm.
Everything Else
The scheme is unpaid. Due to the online format this year due to Covid-19, there were no expenses claimed. The firm covered the cost of items that were sent to participants by post for the scheme.
Yes - there were several interactive sessions with lawyers from across the firm. All sessions provided the opportunity to ask questions.
The best I have so far encountered on a scheme delivered remotely. The firm sent ingredients for the evening social to participants in the post. The social was then run live, in the evening, via videoconference.
Yes - the firm provided sessions with their diversity networks, wellbeing network and pro bono team.
Definitely.
Details
Internship (1 Month+)
Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Legal/Law
London
October 2020
