Vacation Scheme Student Review

The vacation scheme with Nabarro has been extremely enjoyable, the chance to work in the same department for the whole scheme is a real positive as it allows one to get a greater grasp of the work and settle in with the team, meaning that more interesting and in depth tasks can be given as others begin to have confidence in your abilities. As part of the scheme students are required to participate in "Project Nabarro" where they are put into groups and work together on a task, this is fun in some ways as you bond as a group and it can be a really enjoyable, if not stressful, experience. As well as the work, the HR recruitment team also organise social events after work, on our scheme these have ranged from a scavenger hunt by the city followed by drinks at a hotel with trainees and associates to a pub quiz. These help you to bond with the other students on the scheme and make it even more enjoyable.

I have felt highly valued during my time at the firm, taking into account that as a summer scheme student who is only here for 3 weeks, I feel like I have been given a good standard of work and trusted with interesting tasks. I was in one of the busiest departments at the firm meaning that I constantly had work to do, which I enjoyed as I like to be kept busy and means that you can quickly work your way up to being given more responsibility. I had the opportunity to sit in on client calls and visit a consultant with an associate which were interesting experiences and made me feel more valued. I feel the firm puts a real focus on trying to show you what life would be like at the company and people go out of their way to help.

I feel like I was given a good level of guidance and support, enough o do the task, but not too much to feel baby sat or patronised.

I am unsure how what I have learnt will help me in my studies beyond as I am not taking modules which relate to the department that I am in, but when I eventually take the LPC I feel it will be useful to have an insight into the industry in which I will be working and how the practical skills which the course focuses on will be used in practice. I have developed research skills through the training sessions and practice and what the day to day tasks of lawyers are, being able too look through a variety of documents from huge building contracts to warranties and have these explained by professionals in the field. I now understand the use of these in the real world and have been able to see them negotiated, drafted and amended, to get a grasp of their real commercial use.

The vacation scheme was very well structured; there was a structured induction and training for the first few days to settle you in, regular social events and then the remaining time was left to be managed by the summer scheme students, which I feel is good as it allows you to focus on your department work and get a better feel for what life would be like as a trainee.

The atmosphere on the vacation scheme was excellent; the other students are all lovely and easy to get along with, there has been no sense that we are competing, even though under half the students who do the placement will be offered training contracts afterwards. The HR team are all so nice, helping everyone to settle in and feel welcome and they also attend the social events, allowing you to get to know them on a more personal level. The firm has a reputation for being open and personable, and I have experienced this during my time of the scheme and can vouch for this. All the trainees, associates and partners that I have come into contact with have been welcoming and helpful.

It is only a short scheme, but there was significant research and IT training and throughout the scheme employees at the firm invest their time to help you to understand the role and develop new skills.

It was very insightful in this regard and definitely provides a good snapshot of what life at the firm may be like.

It was extremely helpful in this regard, as you are in the same department you get to know people well and understand the company culture.

I had already decided that I want to practice law in a firm like Nabarro, but the placement showed me just how much I want to work at the firm itself.

Yes, I was reimbursed for the scheme, we were all paid £275 for the week. I felt this was adequate, though most of it did go on my accommodation.

Yes there were significant networking opportunities within the firm, you meet people through your day to day work in the department, and associates and trainees attend the social events so you get a chance to meet them then. It is not uncommon for vacation scheme students to go for lunch or coffee with vacation scheme students allowing you to network with them then.

These were very good and well organised, the recruitment team also organised an external networking event with students from other companies during the scheme.

To a certain extent, but there was not as much focus no this.

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