Vacation Scheme Student Review

I really enjoyed the two week placement as it gave me an invaluable insight into the firm. The things I most enjoyed was gaining an insight into the culture of the firm, the services it provides and what I would work on as a trainee.

I think that Pinsent Masons values its employees, regardless of their seniority. I particularly like the open plan offices as it makes everyone up to Partner more approachable.

I was assigned a trainee as a buddy and an associate as a supervisor. However these roles are not necessarily pastoral. I worked for different people within the team and the feedback I was given depended on the person.

The skills I have developed and information I have received have confirmed to me that I am both capable and have the enthusiasm to work in a commercial law firm.

The two week placement is very well organised. I appreciated the first day in the London office with the other vac schemers as it allowed us to settle into the scheme and feel more relaxed and prepared for beginning in our offices the next day. I liked that the assessments for training contracts were included within the scheme. The socials were also well organised and a great way to get to know the other trainees and vac schemers. I also really enjoyed the secondment lunch as we got to hear about the opportunities for client secondments and secondments to other offices.

Very friendly and helpful overall.

We were asked to discuss objectives with our supervisor and as long as you were proactive this was possible. This allows you to assess your own achievements over the two weeks. Also the interview and plenary sessions were a good way for you to evaluate what you had learnt.

Working for different members of the team allowed you to see the levels within the team and the sort of work each person would be doing, I liked the fact that you felt like you were working as a team on a number of projects and were kept in the loop about the progress.

Although I was attracted to the firm for its approachable culture, I was intrigued to see if it was truly inherent in the firm for the two weeks that I was there. This definitely came through; I felt like everyone I met was friendly and helpful. Other things such as its innovative nature were more difficult to pick up on but would be easier if you were there for longer.

It was a very valuable experience in terms of my career path as I have confirmed that I want to work not only in commercial law, but in a firm where I feel accepted and comfortable to work.

We were paid £600 for the two weeks which is a bonus.

The most exposure we got to other departments was through the practice presentations. The turn out to some networking events was unfortunately very poor.

The social events were really enjoyable and a nice way to break up the week, but again could have been better attended.

Some sports teams but not otherwise.

Definitely.