Vacation Placement Student Review

It was absolutely amazing experience and I was able to see first hand the kind of work a trainee did in the DR&L department. Some tedious paper-pushing style work, but still very valuable experience. The department wasn't overly busy at the time I was there, but this isn't something that can be helped and is the luck of the draw.

A small fraction of the work at the beginning was a case of finding something for me to do, but the majority was valuable work to the firm and colleagues were always very grateful for my contribution.

Everyone was extremely approachable, from the PA's and reception staff right up to partner level. I was able to ask anyone questions about the firm and the work I was doing.

I never had nothing to do, but I think I would have thrived on a faster pace. Again, it's just the luck of the draw that during my placement the department wasn't overly busy. Although this did mean everyone had a lot of time for me and I had plenty of time to dedicate to my assessed work, so there's upsides and downsides.

I spent most of the time working independently, and was responsible for my own work and time-keeping. The work I was doing wasn't majorly important, but I certainly felt like I was making a valid contribution without having my hand held.

Having never worked in an office environment before, experience of simply acclimatising was very valuable. Legal research skills, people skills, debate/negotiation skills and all that jazz were brought out in the various tasks and assessed excercises. A great placement that was enjoyable and developed skills.

Hard working, but could stop for a chat and was quite relaxed and open. Could pop over to anyone and have a conversation mid-work, or just go and grab a coffee from the conveniently located machine. Very nice atmosphere, and certainly somewhere I'd love to work.

Nice schedule with some freedom. Talks every morning from each department were great (very very useful and important) and assessed exercises built in to the time table. However, afternoons were unscheduled in the department to tackle work independently.

Not given any tasks with enormous weight, but given opportunities to develop skills through general office activities and assessed exercises. Training contract interview during the placement, so it's obviously all a big interview process.

I didn't feel my interview went great, but I shall wait and see! They certainly provide a lot of opportunity to shine in assessed activites and during everyday work.

Everyone was friendly, but there were only two scheduled socials during the two weeks. I think unofficial stuff would have been easy to organise and people would have been up for it, but I was so tired from work/assessments that I was fine with just the two official socials!

My accomodation wasn't too bad for London (£40ish a night for en suite room in uni accomodation), and there were sufficient cheap-ish restaurants near the offices.

Don't really know, I was really boring during my placement!

Two organised socials. Charity/sporting stuff people could get involved with.