Vacation Scheme Placement Review

I really enjoyed the placement - the work was interesting, the team were really friendly, everyone made an effort and invested time with the vacation scheme students and the socials were really enjoyable.

The firm placed a great focus on the fact that trainee recruitment was very important to the future of the business. Everyone on the scheme had a partner interview as part of the application process for a training contract and senior members of the firm were always on hand to answer questions.

My trainee buddy, Charlotte Boylin, was fantastic. She was always available to answer my questions, she went out of her way to find me some interesting work and provided positive and constructive feedback.

Having already completed the Gap Year Scheme with the firm I don't feel like I have learnt many new skills that I didn't have before. I have realised that I need to pay even closer attention to detail and not try to do too much!

Apart from the odd mishap the scheme is superbly structured. There is a clear timetable provided at the start of the scheme and it is adhered to. There is a great balance of working with your team, finding out about other teams in the firm, assessments, socials and presentations on other aspects of the firm such as corporate responsibility.

The team were great and the other Vacation Scheme students were all very friendly. The lawyers in my team are completing the World Cup sticker book and were often fighting over 'swapsies' - it was great fun!

The firm provided an extensive induction process in the London office. It was interesting and provided me with everything I needed to complete the scheme.

Trainees at the firm were constantly on hand to answer questions. We were given a truthful account of life in the office.

The firm held presentations on the firms values, its culture and Project Sky.

£250 per week plus travel expenses to London for the induction.

We had two office-wide drinks at which various members of different teams were present and available to answer questions. There was also a trainee and partner lunch on the first day, a sit-down partner lunch in the second week and socials with the trainees once a week!

Excellent - we went bowling and had a cluedo themed evening accompanied with food and free drinks. The firm really went out of its way to make the experience enjoyable.

We had a presentation on Starfish - the firm's Corporate Responsibility programme - and many students on the Scheme played hocky for the firm against some of the firm's clients.

Definitely, I think the firm has a lot to offer students and it has an admirable commitment to training and development.