Summer Placement Review
by Shoosmiths
Rating
-
Skills
5.0
-
Business Insight
5.0
-
Culture
5.0
-
Your Impressions
5.0
- 1. Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
- How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
- How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
- Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
- 3. What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
- Please rate how insightful you found the insight
- How would you rate the structure of the insight
- How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
- 4. What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
- How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
- How would you rate the networking opportunities?
- Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
- 5. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
- Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
- Please rate how your experience met your expectations
- Please rate the future employment prospects at Shoosmiths
- 7. Would you recommend Shoosmiths to a friend?
- 8. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Shoosmiths
Overview
It was a 3 day virtual placement, held in June 2021. At the beginning of the placement we listened to sector heads discuss their work and there were several interactive workshops with current Shoosmiths lawyers. On the first day we were given the instructions to our main project, which we then presented to two partners on the final day. There was also informal networking and a virtual 'escape room'.
Skills
Yes, it was very insightful as it allowed me to see 'behind the scenes' in a large commercial law firm. One task involved prioritising activities as if I was a trainee solicitor, which will be very useful in the future. Further, considering it was a virtual placement, it developed my communication skills in this setting, which will be important as more hybrid working models emerge post pandemic.
Business Insight
It was very interesting, as although you can get an impression of a firm on their website, it is only after you have spoken to their employees that you understand their culture. As there were talks from various Shoosmiths lawyers in different departments such as Real Estate, Corporate and Medical Negligence, the various career paths available at Shoosmiths were made clear.
Culture
The company culture was very welcoming. I arranged to have several informal chats with Shoosmiths employees, and they were all willing to take time out of their day to talk with me. Further, the other applicants were very friendly, and willing to help one another in tasks, it did not seem as though we were in direct competition with one another. The graduate recruitment team reinforced this concept, which was very helpful.
Your Impressions
Although it was the week before my GDL exams, I found the insight very enjoyable. This was because the activities were varied, and there was lots of opportunity to network with Shoosmiths employees. Furthermore, the fact the final project was on current affairs, meant doing the research was interesting.
Yes
On the application form try to bring out as much of your personality as possible. Shoosmiths is a firm that does not want to hire robots, they want good people who can actively engage and communicate with others. Also, make sure you do your research and make the application as specific to Shoosmiths as possible (its no use trying to copy and paste from other applications!).
Details
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
West Midlands
October 2021
