Summer Vacation Scheme Student Review

by A&O Shearman

Best Student Employer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.5/5
  • About You
    4.4
  • The Company
    4.7
  • Everything Else
    4.5

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?

    • Great experience, I couldn't have asked for a better vacation scheme. Will be sad to leave!

    5/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?

    • Absolutely, not just by the recruitment team but also by my supervisors, who got me involved in real, important work.

    5/5
  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?

    • Enough guidance and support to help me where needed but without being overbearing.

    4/5
  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • I don't think the skills I developed and the information I received on the vacation scheme will be particularly useful in terms of studying but they will definitely come in useful should I secure a training contract in the future, even more so if that training contract is at A&O.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?

    • I was given a timetable on my first day of everything that was happening each day for 3 weeks - what more structure could you ask for?

    5/5
  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?

    • A very good atmosphere. The firm has a great culture (everybody is very friendly) but without clouding anything - you can clearly see that people are busy and do a lot of work, the scheme didn't try to hide that.

    5/5
  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • 4/5
  • 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?

    • Whilst we had standard office hours (9am-5:30pm), the scheme didn't make any attempt to hide that lawyers do stay late. However, I was also given some really good work to get involved in. I definitely had the chance to see both sides.

    5/5
  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?

    • Ample insight to speak to people from all levels of the firms - trainees, associates, partners, business development and HR team. The more people you speak to, the better understanding of the culture you develop.

    5/5
  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?

    • 5/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?

    • The pay was very good, in line with the other global City law firms. Obviously not as much as the US firms pay but you can't really expect that.

  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?

    • 5/5
  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?

    • Brilliant, from a quiz on A&O's rooftop terrace, to a treasure hunt around the City and dinner at The OXO Tower. The recruitment team really know how to have a good time too!

    4/5
  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?

    • Yes - we actually had the opportunity to get involved in some pro bono work with a few of the trainees, which was nice.

    4/5
  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?

    • Definitely - A&O is a great firm and I would encourage anybody to apply there, at least to experience the culture, so you know whether it is a place you would like to train.

    5/5
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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Commercial Law, Corporate Law

London

July 2015

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