A&O First Insight Scheme Review

A&O First Insight was the most enjoyable time spent with a Commercial Law Firm throughout my first year. The diverse range of activities and skills sessions that are completed during your time at the office really help to make the day engaging and enjoyable

Before attending A&O First, I felt valued due to the feedback and emails from the Graduate Recruitment Team explaining what the day would entail and how competitive the place was. During the day, the opportunity to spend time with a trainee in their office and hear from various people who showed a keen interest in us really showed the natural interest the firm had in us as individuals.

During the insight, the guidance from the graduate recruitment team was great. Everything was explained in detail and all who attended were fully supported ans received valuable feedback after certain tasks. The support network after the day which continues throughout the year, as well as a 'trainee buddy' assigned to you makes this insight scheme unique and particularly effective.

The skills that were developed during the negotiation tasks and commercial awareness activity will be particularly useful with debating and other commercial awareness tasks, which are all valuable towards a Law Degree too. The advice and additional application specific information will be invaluable when planning to apply for a Vacation Scheme or Training Contract in the future.

Receiving the event plan for the insight in advance via email reinforces how well planned and structured the day was. After being greeted, the timings and general outlook of the day were explained to ensure we got the most out of the time we spent with Allen & Overy

Everyone that I came into contact with was extremely friendly and happy to be speaking to first year students. I was made to feel very welcome which created a great atmosphere for the overall office. During my time shadowing a trainee, the atmosphere around his floor was very collaborative with a strong open door policy, showing anyone who needs assistance can receive help and support.

Certain activities were designed to assistant is personal development and to consider things we may not have previously though out. Although this was just a first year insight scheme, the year round webinars and tutorials show that the firm invest a lot in us.

The opportunity to shadow a trainee and spend time in their office enabled the insight day to truly show me what life inside the firm would be like if i was to secure a training contract.

Spending one day cannot allow you to fully appreciate the culture of the firm, but the time spent inside the office and the various activities which allowed me to interact with a diverse range of people helped in showing me what the A & O culture is like.

The content helped to confirm that a career in an international law firm is right for me. The presentations, supported by networking opportunities and work shadowing really helped me to see what a career in commercial law would be like.

I was Reimbursed expenses

There was networking opportunities throughout the day, including a planned 'speed networking session' during the morning and the opportunity to network more informally over lunch.

The opportunity to network and meet people both formally and informally from different areas and backgrounds really added to the overall day.

From a trainee perspective, I was told about the socials, pro bono work and various sports teams that were available- However this did not form a large part of the day

I would most definitely recommend this insight. The opportunity to find out more about the firm, meet various people and shadow a trainee makes the insight an idea insight for a first year student. The continued support after the insight and the assigned trainee buddy for the year ahead makes the insight far more than a mere office visit