Vacation Scheme Student Review
by RPC
This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
-
The Role
4.5
-
The Company
4.2
-
The Culture
3.8
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
The work varied day to day and group to group. Tasks ranged from taking notes on court as part of high profile media cases, to research and drafting exercises.
The open and collaborative atmosphere at the firm means students are encouraged to interact with trainees and partners alike. You are given real responsibility from day one and are provided with a great deal of support and recognition.
Each student is allocated to a small team of supervisors consisting of trainees, associates and a secretarial manager. Supervisors are enthusiastic about the vacation students and happy to set time aside to ensure they are comfortable with the work they have been assigned.
Some departments were busier than others, however all supervisors strived to find as much appropriate work for the students to do as possible.
All the work was of some importance, there were of course some administrative tasks, however this was a very small part of the workload and did help to develop a wider understanding of the whole litigation process.
The Company
RPC prides itself on its collaborative atmosphere. All staff are genuinely friendly and gregarious and this helps students feel more welcome and settle into the office.
On the first day we were presented with a full schedule of events for the whole two weeks, including trips to the London Eye and lectures on the practices of the firm.
Students take part in an assessment centre at the end of the vacation scheme and all receive full and thorough feedback about their performances.
Subsidised Canteen
Company Parties/Events
A job at the firm is an incredibly attractive prospect, but there is a very high quality of candidates on the scheme so there is a great deal of competition. However, students on the vac scheme are looking at a 1/4 chance of getting a job, which is higher better odds than most places.
The Culture
The firm had succeeded in recruiting like-minded individuals which gelled together very naturally and enjoyed a very active social life throughout the two weeks.
The firm is in the centre of London, so costs are inevitably going to be higher than elsewhere in the country. However, students are paid accordingly and even given £50 credit in the subsidised canteen.
Great variety of clubs and reasonably priced bars, all within short walking distance of the office.
There was a partners vs firm netball/football tournament in aid of the RPC Charity of the Year (Mencap) which unfortunately had to be cancelled due to inclement weather.
Details
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
London
July 2011
