Winter Vac Scheme Review
by A&O Shearman
This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
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About You
4.3
-
The Company
4.3
-
Everything Else
4.9
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
- 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
- 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 5. How well structured was the insight?
- 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
- 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 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?
- 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
- 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
- 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
- 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
- 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
- 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
- 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
About You
Really enjoyed the ten days at A&O on their winter vac scheme - made me sure that law is the career I want and that A&O is where I want to work.
Felt very valued, everyone was very supported and grateful for any work you helped them with. HR were particularly good as making us feel important while we were there. A&O has a very collaborative feel to it. People were in & out of each other's offices all the time asking for help.
Guidance was good, could ask the partner we were sat with for advice, and anything we felt we couldn't ask them, we could ask out buddy who was a trainee that has been partnered with us for our time at the firm. The HR girls were also really supportive and approachable.
Presentation skills definitely improved. Had to use team working skills the whole week. Researching in short time frame very foreign concepts was challenging but rewarding.
The Company
Very well structured. From breakfast on arrival to leaving drinks. There was a schedule that was followed through the entire ten days, which was nice to be able to plan days ahead.
Nice balance between genuinely learning about the career, job roll and firm, and having a good time. The festive spirit (it was the week before Christmas) could definitely be felt around the office.
We had talks from the Managing Director who's time is precious, workshops from various members of staff including IT & library. I learnt alot.
Very much so. I was worried that being a magic circle firm it would be impersonal, but it was the opposite. It confirmed by desire to be a commercial solicitor but more important my desire to work at the firm.
I was apprehensive about the culture as it's such a big firm, but it seems to have a global reach yet local reach about it. You only really what the culture of a firm is like by spending time there.
Very helpful. I got to sit in on meeting, do research, drafting, talk over different responsibilities with them. I really got a feel for the career as a commercial lawyer.
Everything Else
Yes!
Plenty. Lunches & suppers with trainees, drinks with partners. We were encouraged to email around for a chat with different people to get a wide feel. Talks from different employees - good exposure.
Got to go ice skating, up the Gurkin, drinks, another supper, lots of lunches, a tea party, breakfasts! It was amazing!
Yes! Sports clubs etc. One intern joined the choir in their Carol Concert while were were there.
100% yes!
Details
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
London
May 2015
