Summer Placement Scheme Candidate Review
at Stephenson Harwood
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: June 2021
Overall Rating
4.8 /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!
5/5
-
Overview of Experience
4.8/5
-
Skills Development
4.8/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
5/5
-
Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
Our days included a catch up each morning with the graduate recruitment team, talks from associates in different departments, and finally a simulated task from a specific department. During the week we were also scheduled with a check-in talk from our trainee buddy and supervisor. Finally, we had two socials organised during the week, the first was a virtual escape room, and the second was a donut design competition with the firms trainees.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
It was really invaluable to learn about the breadth of the firms services; from contentious and non-contentious, to transactional and litigation work. The talks were insightful about the role of trainees, associates and partners in the different departments. It was great to learn interesting information about sectors that I had not previously researched. Finally, it was also helpful to discover how the international element of the firms practice plays into each department.
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
5/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
I learnt several new skills from this experience, the tasks we were given each centred on a specific trainee skill. The first was a writing exercise, it required being able to condense information, and communication skills were vital here. The second task required the use of organisational skills to determine which tasks we will handle first as trainees during a working day. We also had to utilise research and presentation skills for other tasks.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
5/5
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?
4/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
5/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
4/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
The culture and atmosphere of the firm was lovely, every employee I met virtually was friendly and approachable. They were willing and able to answer all my questions or transfer me to someone who could. It was also great to learn about the support the trainees received and how the firm is very involved in the business development of their trainees.
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 insight?
5/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
I greatly enjoyed the insight into the firm. The scheme was organised remarkably well, especially considering it was virtual. We were given a wide breadth of information about the firm and its departments and also encouraged to seek out other employees if we had follow-up questions about their individual talks. Also networking with the other candidates and trainees was invaluable, and the atmosphere was comfortable enough that we could do this effectively.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
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 Stephenson Harwood
5/5
Would you recommend Stephenson Harwood to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Stephenson Harwood
I would advice other people applying to the scheme to take advantage of all the opportunities to network and ask as many questions about the firm as you can. The insight is a great opportunity to discover which area of law you are interested in, so asking the presenters of the department talks questions is also helpful.
