Summer Vacation Scheme Review

by Stephenson Harwood

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.2/5
  • About You
    4.1
  • The Company
    4.0
  • Everything Else
    4.8

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?

    • We were given presentations on the whole range of Stepheson Harwood's activities, and spent two weeks in two different practice areas helping out.

    5/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?

    • It depended where I was. My first week in corporate planning was great because everyone knew each other really well and were only too pleased to have my helping out for a week. They took out to lunch on my final day with them, and then to the pub after I finished.

    4/5
  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?

    • If I had a problem, people were happy for me to ask questions. They were also happy to let me plan by own day, by which I mean, if I had too much work on, I could refuse work if it came along and no-one felt put out.

    4/5
  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • It will be very useful when trying to secure a job, simply because I can point out that I have actual insight into a city law firm.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?

    • Presentations were all scheduled and we were told well in advance of any changes.

    4/5
  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?

    • There was lots of hard work, but this meant I was never bored. Everyone was so friendly that it didn't matter.

    5/5
  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • I definitely feel that the firm wanted me (and everyone else on the placement) to do well, which is why they were so keen to give us an in-depth insight into the firm and invested so much time (and money) into organising the vacation scheme.

    5/5
  • 8. To what extent did the insight help you to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company or firm?

    • Obviously there are differences: as someone on a placement, I wasn't actually producing critical work and I wasn't expected to stay mind-numbing hours. On the other hand, I was given a lot of work that had to be done, some of it very interesting, and I did stay longer than the contracted hours to get it done.

    4/5
  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?

    • I feel as though I have a good idea of Stephenson Harwood's ethos having spent two weeks here.

    4/5
  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?

    • I was already quite set on a career in the law, but the vacation scheme has been helpful in making me keen to work here.

    3/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?

    • It was £260 a week.

  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?

    • Several things were scheduled to allow us to meet the current trainees, such as a bowling night, drinks reception and lunch meetings.

    5/5
  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?

    • They were jolly good fun.

    4/5
  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?

    • Stephenson Harwood seems to have a good work/home-life balance. There are plenty of sporting opportunities, for example, as well as a choir and yoga.

    5/5
  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?

    • An insight such as this can only be helpful if you are thinking about a legal career, and Stephenson Harwood is a good place to do it.

    5/5
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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

London

July 2013

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