Summer Vacation Student Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the three week vacation scheme at Allen and Overy. It was a good mix of introductions to the different practice areas within the firm, networking with current employees (of all levels, from trainee to worldwide senior partner!), completing genuine work as well as some dreaded written assessments and a client pitch exercise.

Very! Graduate recruitment were in touch with us in the months between our interview and starting at the firm in June. They even sent us easter eggs and organised a pre-scheme cookery lesson so we could get to know the other vac schemers. They took the time to learn our names before arrival and each of the offices I worked in had my name on the door. Our trainers all seemed to value us being there, and tried to include us in client meetings, calls, site visits and give us useful work to do. Furthermore each trainer set aside time to take us for coffee / lunch and give feedback on our time in the department.

The placement was well structured so that we were never left feeling lost, or without a task to complete. The level of guidance depended on the trainer, but it was easy to walk into other people's offices (especially trainees in each practice area) and ask for work, should your trainer be busy elsewhere. Feedback was generally provided after every task, especially if you actively sought it out.

As a Geographer, I don't thin the information I gained from the vacation scheme will directly benefit my studies, but the time management skills and practice in speed / proof reading will definitely benefit wider academic work. It has also assisted my knowledge of the profession immensely and will definitely guide my interests and decision of career post-university and within the training contact should I be lucky enough to get one!

The placement was very well structured. Each morning tended to start with an hour long presentation and 'Question and Answer' session with a different practice area in the firm, so that we could learn more about their work, especially as due to the length of the vac scheme we could only work within two departments. Days were then spent with our trainers, occasionally broken up with mornings / afternoons out of the office for activities such as a tour of The Royal Courts of Justice, a pro-bono activity at a nearby city farm, or an assessment.

The general atmosphere at the firm throughout my placement was friendly and welcoming. There was no competition between the vac scheme students, everyone was approachable and willing to talk about their jobs honestly (including the hours!) and trainees, associates and partners genuinely seemed to mix well. Graduate recruitment definitely played a part in this, as their social events and organisation of the trainee buddy structure ensured that the vac schemers were confident in approaching staff and put at ease on their first day.

The firm invested a lot in our development. Whether this was through the amount of money that had obviously been set aside to ensure we enjoyed our time on the vacation scheme (lots of free lunches, dinner at the OXO Tower, a trip to HintHunt, IPads for our timetable and emails) or through the genuine interest that graduate recruitment took in listening to and understanding our feedback on each activity that was organised. They also took the time to put you in contact with anyone within the firm that you wanted to talk to about their work, and ensured that trainers were briefed in giving us feedback to help improve.

It gave me a very realistic understanding of the firm, as we were given the same kind of work that trainees would be trusted with, in addition to the honesty of everyone in the firm who were always willing to talk about the realities of becoming a solicitor. We were also given full access to the restaurant, gym and other facilities, which made us feel like part of the firm.

It is definitely the best way to get an insight into company culture, as everyone treats you like a member of full time staff; I was even invited along to department drinks on Friday evening, to join others for lunch and spend time with them at Lavanda, the office's rooftop restaurant / bar. I therefore felt fully immersed in the culture of the firm, from the work aspect as well as the social one.

Very - it has cemented my desire to switch to law after completing my Geography degree, and to complete the GDL, whether with Allen and Overy, or with another firm.

The £400 per week was more than enough to cover my accommodation and living costs throughout the scheme and our travel costs to interview were reimbursed by the firm.

Yes plenty! From meeting David Morley the worldwide managing partner, to a networking lunch with associates in each practice area, to socialising with trainees in the evening.

Great! We had a trip to the Oxo tower, a treasure hunt around London, a room escape and plenty of dinners and lunches to attend. Mos departments also had social events that vac schemers were encouraged to attend.

Yes - we were invited to join the sports clubs, use the gym, undertake a pro-bono activity and attend guest lectures.

100%!