Vacation Scheme Student 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

4.3/5
  • About You
    4.5
  • The Company
    3.9
  • Everything Else
    4.6

    About You

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

    • I had a great time on my vacation scheme. People were clearly working hard but went out of their way to make sure I was filled in on what was going on.

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

    • I was given a research task which was used by my supervisor in advice to a client. Everyone was really welcoming and apologetic if there was a piece of work that I couldn't get involved in because it was confidential or too complex.

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

    • I had a trainee buddy and partner mentor as well as my supervisor so I felt very supported.

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

    • I learnt to use Westlaw which has been useful for my IRE on the GDL.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?

    • Very. We were given a timetable of scheduled events on the first day and Graduate Recruitment put on lots of lectures so that we could find out more about different areas of the firm.

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

    • Very positive. People seemed to really enjoy working at the firm and the other vacation schemers were a laugh so it didn't feel competitive.

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

    • We had a negotiation skills workshop which was useful

    3/5
  • 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?

    • This was my first vacation scheme and it was great to see the work lawyers actually do on a day to day basis rather than the glossily presented version you get at firm presentations or Open Days

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

    • A lot. I was taken out for coffee or lunch by at least 10 lawyers at the firm, so had plenty of opportunity to ask questions.

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

    • 3/5

    Everything Else

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

    • I was paid £350 per week

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

    • There were partner drinks in the first week, plus the future joiners quiz where we met trainees and future joiners.

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

    • Great. We had a teambuilding exercise at a cookery school which was lots of fun. The other vac schemers were really nice too and we had dinner in Brick Lane a couple of times.

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

    • I went along to a Legal Advice Clinic and had a go at writing the first draft of a letter for a client. One of the other vac schemers also played rugby for the Herbert Smith Freehills team.

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

    • Definitely! I had a great time and am looking forward to going back as a trainee.

    5/5
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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

London

June 2014

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