First Year Insight Scheme Review
by Herbert Smith Freehills
This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
-
About You
4.0
-
The Company
3.3
-
Everything Else
3.9
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
- 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
- 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 5. How well structured was the insight?
- 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
- 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 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?
- 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
- 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
- 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
- 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
- 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
- 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
- 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
About You
We were only on the scheme for two days so it was very jam packed. We were mostly given talks and had a chance to spend an afternoon with a trainee and do a little bit of work before being given a chance to ask them whatever questions we had.
The firm made a strong investment into us. It was only a first year scheme but we were taken on private champagne event on the London Eye and we the firm paid for a night at a hotel even if we were based in London. It was a really nice hotel as well, I think each room cost about 170 pounds full value!
There was relatively little time there but the firm made sure to give us a chance to learn more about the firm, and law in general. As a first year student any type of experience is extremely helpful.
I used the contacts that I got on the programme and the knowledge that I acquired when applying for vacation scheme the following summer.
The Company
Because there was relatively little time there the graduate team had to do an excellent job at running the scheme efficiently and tightly.
We didn't have a great amount of time to mingle but during the socials everyone seemed friendly and starstruck by the amount of investment into us.
As already mentioned the firm invested in us financially and obviously spent the time to run a scheme as well.
We were only in the office for an afternoon so most of what we knew about the practice is what they told us which is less than ideal. I'm not sure how this could really be avoided though considering the short timeframe.
I met a few lawyers during my time there but I don't think that two days gives you nearly enough time to come to a conclusion about an entire firm's culture.
This scheme was more of a stepping stone towards bigger things, but if you look at it that way it was incredibly helpful
Everything Else
The firm hosted lunches where other lawyers were present and after we went on the Eye there was an event where drinks and dinner was provided. I had a decent chance to speak to a partner there. And on the last afternoon we were given a chance to have a candid talk with a trainee one on one.
A hotel booked for us, breakfast provided on both days, the London Eye, and dinner provided. Basically a fully paid for two days.
There was a short discussion on Pro Bono but not a huge focus.
In terms of first year schemes this is about as good as it gets.
Details
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
London
October 2013
