Vacation Scheme Student Review

I had a great time on my vacation scheme at HSF - three weeks didn't feel like long enough! I made some great friends and had a wonderful experience whilst learning a lot about a career as a commercial solicitor.

I felt that the work I was given to do that the firm was valuable to the partners and associates I sat with, and whereas other friends doing vacation schemes at other firms often felt like a spare part I constantly felt I was put on helpful tasks and the work I undertook was used to sent to real clients, as well as some which was placed on the HSF website.

I had a feedback session with both the partners I sat with once my time ended, a feedback session on my assessment day so I knew which areas I needed to improve on, and each piece of work although not marked was constructively critiqued.

The help I got has altered my style of writing and presentation for the better, and are skills that will be beneficial regardless of the career that I end up in.

We had numerous talks and activity sessions throughout the three weeks, including talks on all departments and a negotiation workshop. The rest of the time was at the discretion of the partner you were sitting with, but I found both partners I sat with set me reasonable amounts of work within a time frame so I was never too bored or too stressed.

The atmosphere on all of the activities and talks was brilliant with lots of the vacation scheme students striking up really good friendships. Obviously while working there is only so much 'excitement' that could occur but the work was interesting and people were constantly checking I was ok and didn't need help and making sure I have enough to do.

There were some workshops etc but the real learning was best done on the job, but as said everyone was very helpful in assessing my work.

I saw the realities of working in the firm, and although I left earlier than the partners each night this was nice of them as I didn't want to get burned out! I now know the hours that these people work and the types of transactions that they work on, and I feel I wouldn't be at all surprised if I joined the firm as a trainee.

I knew very little about the firm when I began but this was rapidly changed. You can see a clear friendly and welcoming culture in the firm and very different to other firms I have worked at. It was a supportive atmosphere and was unexpected but a pleasant surprise.

When I started at the firm I was 99% sure I didn't want to be a commercial solicitor but my brilliant time at HSF has made me seriously question this. This is not a bad thing, it has opened another door I did not expect to enjoy and I will be seriously considering which direction my career path will go in.

I was given £350 a week during my three weeks which covered my rent, travel and food for the time.

We had numerous networking events, there were trainees, associates and partners at all after work events, and during the day many individuals would come and take me for coffee or lunch and talk to me about their experiences. I met individuals from various departments, even those I was not working in, and got a rounded insight into the firm as a whole.

We had a great time doing various different events - a cooking class, drinks with the partners, and a barbeque as well as organising some on our own on nights off. The only issue was that I was a vegetarian and there was little catering at the barbeque, but this is something I raised at the time so hopefully shouldn't happen again!

The trainee buddy I had I actually watched in a concert on the first day at the firm, and it seems like a lot of trainees and associates take up roles in sports or musical teams.

Absolutely. I have already recommended the firm to the students I know in the year below me and at other universities and hope that some of them get the same great experience as I did.