Virtual Vacation Scheme Review

Item: Virtual Vacation Scheme at Shoosmiths
Rating: 4.5
Author: Anonymous

at Shoosmiths

Internship (1 Month+)

Legal/Law

Leeds

Review Submitted: June 2021

Overall Rating

4.5 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

4.5/5 - Overview of Experience

4.5/5 - Skills Development

4.5/5 - Company Culture

5/5 - Overall Experience

4/5 - Recommendations and Advice

Overview of Experience

Please give an overview of the virtual experience and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.

The vacation scheme took place virtually over three days. Each day, we usually had a trainee task to do, and several workshops and talks from each division within the firm. We also had opportunities to network with the current trainee solicitors at the firm and the other vacation scheme participants.
At the end, we had to deliver a presentation focused on business development within our chosen sector of the firm.

What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?

Lots of insight into different roles, such as paralegals, lawyers, professional support lawyers, secondment opportunities.
Learnt a lot more about the divisions and sectors within the firm. The information was very detailed and insightful. We also had the opportunity to ask questions of the lawyers at the firm to find out more information about their roles.

Please rate how insightful you found the virtual experience

5/5

How would you rate the structure of the virtual experience

4/5

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have developed my time management skills, client care skills, networking skills and presentation skills.

How would you rate the training provided during your experience?

4/5

How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?

5/5

How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?

5/5

Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development

4/5

Company Culture

How would you rate business leader involvement during the virtual experience

3/5

What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?

Very friendly, inclusive and supportive. Happy to answer any questions we had. I felt like I could be myself and that people were genuinely interested in what I had to say and my questions to them.

How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?

5/5

How would you rate the networking opportunities?

5/5

Please rate how valued you felt during your virtual experience?

5/5

Overall Experience

To what extent did you enjoy the virtual experience?

Like anyone, I would have preferred to meet people at the firm in person and see the office, but I felt that I still managed to connect with people through the virtual sessions as I would in real life.
The placement was very structured, so we were never sat around doing nothing.
I really enjoyed the experience and was made to feel like I was part of Shoosmiths for those three days.

Please rate your level of enjoyment on the virtual experience

5/5

Please rate how your experience met your expectations

5/5

Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?

I was paid

Recommendations and Advice

Please rate the future employment prospects at Shoosmiths

4/5

Would you recommend Shoosmiths to a friend?

Yes

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Shoosmiths

Focus on the firm's values and culture as you will be assessed against the values.
Be yourself - the firm is very inclusive and everyone is very approachable.
Make sure you really get across why Shoosmiths is the firm for you and show enthusiasm for a career in law.

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