Work Placement Student Review

I looked forward to going to work every single day. It was the challenging nature of tasks that brought the most satisfaction.

From the first day, I felt comfortable at the office. All the staff-from the partners to the PAs-were warm and approachable. They took a genuine interest in the tasks I was assigned and were always ready to answer my questions.

Even days that my supervisor was not in the office, the rest of the team gave me a range of tasks to get on with. My supervisor herself was excellent because she gave me thorough instructions.

There were days where I had to read through files for a few hours and I never actually ended up working on those files. While I never sat around doing nothing because I was not afraid to ask for more work, it was the fact that I could not follow through some of the cases that was disappointing.

A fair amount. Given the fact that I am a non-law student, I was always given work I could cope with.

Time management and meeting deadlines is one skill I will take with me in any walk of life. Legal research is also a skill I walk away with which I am sure will help me during the GDL.

An open plan office so I was never stuck in a room working all the time. The partner would stop by for a chat, others in my department would involve me in conversations and fill me in with the office jokes.

There were enough activities to carry out. On the day of the exit interview, a room was booked and I had help setting up my presentation. From the main tasks to the finer details, the work placement was very well organised.

There was a great deal of time invested however I felt a two week placement would have allowed more personal training and development. Sitting in one department though created a loyalty with a specific area of law, it also meant that I could not experience another area for comparison.

I do want to work for Shoosmiths however I do not know how well I performed during the placement since I did not receive extensive feedback. I felt my exit interview went well however where that leaves me in comparison with the rest of the applicants is uncertain. M

Yes. A social was organised with the trainees and newly qualified solicitors on one evening.

Since I was commuting the cost was higher than if I was living in Nottingham. However it is not extortionate and affordable for a week.

Nottingham is a vibrant city with something for everyone every night.

There would have been an opportunity to get involved in an enterprise day with a local school for which I did some preliminary work however it was taking place the following week.