Easter Vacation Scheme Student Review

I enjoyed the opportunity to experience a new department and firm. But at times felt that my extremely busy supervisor could have be better supported in managing their extensive workload and looking after a vacation scheme student.

There was a limited opportunity to meet fee earners and trainees who weren't supervising the scheme. This may have been because it was the Easter Scheme however it would have been nice to have met a broader range of people from the firm. There was a low attendence of firm representatives at the farewell drinks where only two trainees came.

My supervisor was extremely friendly and approachable however I wasn't introduced to the rest of the department which made it difficult to approach others for work or gain a wider experience.

The workshops and talks run during the scheme were extremly intersting and helpful especially the contracts and drafting workshop. I enjoyed sitting in a different practice area and I think this will help me when deciding which departments to sit in on other schemes. I completed a wide rang of tasks including work for Corporate, TMT and Environment trainees.

There was plenty of time for all of the talks and workshops which didn't feel rushed. However there was a low attendence of people from the firm at social events.

It was interesting and educational but at times I felt that the people in the rest of the firm (not just our supervisors) could have made us feel more welcome - this could be achieved through an introduction to other people in the department or the opportunity to network with trainees and fee earners.

THe workshops and talks were run by a mixture of trainees and associates who gave up their time to explain and run them. YOu had the opportunity to experience a range of work from your supervisor and some other trainees.

YOu were provided with a snapshot of the work of a trainee, sat in the office daily and able to access the same areas of the firm. However the limitations on who you knew in your department and having not been introduced to the other supervisors was different to if you worked at the firm full time (I presume).

I felt that I gained an understanding of the department that I was sat in however upon speaking to others on the same scheme I don't feel that this was necessarily representative of the firms culture as a whole as everyone (naturally) had very different experiences depending on their supervisor, department, etc.

I have a clearer idea of the type of legal work I am interested in and the type of firm I would like to work in.

£250 for the week

There were two sets of drinks providing this opportunity however there was an extremely low attendence of other employees. The departmental 'speed dating' was a good opportunity to meet (two) representatives and fee earners from other practice areas.

Low attendence of employees at the two drinks events and limited exposure to others in the department through lack of introductions.

A talk on these may have been a useful way to find out more about these.It was however interesting to learn about the pro bono secondments that you can do for three months during your training contract.

It was a useful way to experience the firm and a practice area. The talks and workshops were very useful and your experience depended largely on the area you sat in and how busy your supervisor was (something fairly unpredictable and uncontrallable but a useful learning experience in itself).