Vacation Scheme Review

I really enjoyed my Vacation Scheme and would definitely recommend it. The work is great, the office and facilities are fantastic and the general office atmosphere is really friendly and supportive.

Although there was the scope to be very independent and essentially go out and get your own work from anybody in your department, there was also a really strong support network in place of having a trainee buddy and also a supervisor. If I needed help on anything, my supervisor was happy to help me and talk things through. I never felt completely stranded with work I didn't understand.

It was a valuable insight into life at a City firm in terms of the hours worked, professional conduct expected and type of work a trainee does. Although not necessarily useful in degree studies, it was great for developing skills that would be of use further in my career.

It was very structured - there was a talk nearly every day by each department so you could get a feel for the work despite not sitting in that department during the Vacation Scheme. Additionally there was a social event each week.

I was treated in some departments as if I were a trainee, which was great.

As you didn't feel like you were just a Vacation Scheme student - you felt like you were a trainee - it was easy to get to know the general company culture. It is very friendly and there is an open door policy.

If you want to work at a City firm, then I would definitely recommend this Vacation Scheme. Although it was hard work, in comparison to other City firms there is a great work-life balance and the general atmosphere is so much more friendly than at other firms.