Vacation Scheme Student Review

I really enjoyed my time at Stephenson Harwood, I feel I got a lot out of it as everyone was really helpful and willing to spend time explaining things to me and find tasks for me to complete.

I definitely felt valued during my week at Stephenson Harwood as trainees and associates really seemed to appreciate me completing the small tasks for example, proof-reading.

We received a lot of support through the Graduate Recruitment team but also, from people in our respective departments, I felt that there actually was in practice an open door policy and if you needed more support/guidance you could ask for it.

I feel that the assessment process although intense was extremely worthwhile and a good opportunity to practice presentation skills, working under pressure and interview skills, all of which I will need throughout my career.

I think there was a good balance between having a set timetable of talks from each department but also giving the vacation students enough time in the department they were sitting in to engage with colleagues and be involved in deals and research tasks.

I thought the general atmosphere was great as Stephenson Harwood get the balance right between working incredibly hard but also being people and not taking themselves too seriously. I thought it was really nice that the vacation students were invited to the Carol Service and I personally really enjoyed it, the singing definitely got me into the Christmas spirit!

I think that this is a hard question to answer as I was only on my placement for one week, but during the short time I was at Stephenson Harwood, I felt that I was provided with a broad insight into all the departments and I really enjoyed the departmental talks, especially the Real Estate talk which was very interactive. I think other departments could also do something similar. Equally, I really appreciated being given the opportunity to complete work in a different department to the one I was sitting in especially as everyone was so busy in the run up to Christmas but I felt people made time to help me so I got as much as I possibly could of from the experience.

Everyone who I met was really genuine and honest in saying that being a trainee/associate at Stephenson Harwood is hard-work and very challenging but equally, everyone had a high level of job satisfaction and the collegiate culture and focus on team-work really shone through.

My placement confirmed that all the things the firm says it is are true. For example, the collegiate culture, genuine open door policy, small partner led teams etc.

My placement at Stephenson Harwood confirmed that I do want to be a trainee solicitor in a mid-sized city firm and hopefully one with a Marine and International Trade department as I thoroughly enjoyed the task I was given in this practice area.

I feel we were paid adequately for a week long placement.

Yes, we had a trainee drinks evening which allowed us to meet the trainees in a more informal environment. Similarly, my buddy Parin was incredibly helpful in introducing me to lots of different people and arranged for me to go and sit in a different department, alongside giving me the opportunity to talk to the Captain of the SH Sharks.

I really enjoyed the trainee drinks but I definitely think the highlight of the week was the Carol Service. It definitely got me into the Christmas Spirit.

As mentioned above, Parin went out of his way to arrange for me to meet with the Netball Captain and I felt that in general, staff at Stephenson Harwood had a good work-life balance.

Yes definitely.