Vacation Scheme Student Review

I have had an excellent vacation scheme experience. Having the opportunity to sit in the same department for three weeks meant that I was able to gain great insight into the work trainees, associates and partners get involved in. Everyone at the firm was incredibly friendly and down to earth. I feel like the work I was given was real and of value to my department. The training, information sessions and socials that were organised were a great way of networking and speaking to solicitors from different departments as well as other summer scheme students.

I felt like part of the team from day one. My department organised a team lunch which provided an excellent opportunity to meet and speak to everyone in the team. The tasks I was given were of real importance and my research valued. Seeing a letter I drafted being sent off was a very rewarding experience.

I think the guidance we received was good. I had a scheduled meeting half way through the scheme to discuss my experiences with a member of the graduate recruitment team. In my department I feel that people were generally willing to answer any queries I had relating to the task I had been given.

I thought the IT and knowledge training were very helpful. I feel I have developed my research skills and I am more efficient in using databases. I think this will definitely help me in my degree, especially when researching and writing my dissertation.

The vacation scheme was very well organised. I was given the opportunity to voice a preference concerning the department I would sit in. One week before my scheme I received an email from my supervisor introducing the department and the team. We received a detailed schedule for the three weeks. All of the events were very well organised and thought through.

The atmosphere during the scheme was great. Everyone was very friendly, open, honest and down to earth. The socials provided a great opportunity to ask questions about people's career paths and abut working at the firm. All of the summer students got on really well as well. We frequently met for lunch.

I think the firm definitely invested in my personal training and development. I received extensive IT and research training and advice (Westlaw, Lexis Library and PLC). We moreover had various information sessions where we heard about the different departments, the training contract, business development, the firm's strategy and various extras. I feel like the sessions definitely broadened my understanding of how law firms operate.

The insight was a great way to get an understanding for what a full time role with the company would look like. By engaging in various trainee tasks myself and speaking to trainees from different departments I feel that I understand the tasks and responsibilities a trainee has very well now.

The vacation scheme definitely helped me understand and experience the company culture. I was able to attend various internal cross-departmental meetings and social events which gave me a good sense of what people are like and how they interact with one another while at work.

I think sitting in a department and gaining insight into solicitors' daily affairs is invaluable. It definitely confirmed my wish to pursue a career as a solicitor!

Yes!

Yes, there were various networking events to meet people from across the whole firm.

The social events were great. The events were varied in nature, really well organised and a lot of fun. It was very apparent that a lot of thought and planning had gone into every single one.

It was very interesting to speak to trainees, associates and partners about the activities they get involved in outside of work. Many are involved in sports teams or charity and pro bono work.

I would definitely recommend this vacation scheme!