Vacation scheme participant Review
at Stephenson Harwood
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Commercial Law
London
Review Submitted: June 2021
Overall Rating
4.9 /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
5/5
-
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.
A typical day would start at 09:45 and would involve a morning catch-up with two of the future talent team. We would then have a talk for an hour and the chance to ask questions at the end, then we had a 15 minute break. After this, we would have another talk for an hour and then get given a task to do. We would then have a lunch, and two more sessions before having a catch up at the end for 15 minutes. On two days, we had a social starting at 18:30.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
We learnt about the variety of work that lawyers do and the type of clients they work with and how this generates business for the firm. We also learnt about the different types of roles that exist in the firm apart from being a partner, associate or a trainee lawyer. Paralegals are in many groups at the firm as well as professional support lawyers. Also roles include members of counsel, consultants and legal researchers.
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 believe that my sector awareness has improved as I come from a non-law background. Also, my teamwork skills have developed as there were a few tasks where we had to work in groups to complete presentations or simply talk to one another. My ability to adapt to different situations and scenarios has also developed as every day was never the same and we were given a variety of work to do in different areas of law. Also, I think I have learnt the skill of talking to different audiences as I was interacting with a variety of people including lawyers, associates and trainees.
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?
5/5
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?
Everyone at Stephenson Harwood was extremely friendly and welcoming from members of HR to lawyers at the firm. Everyone seemed open to any questions you wanted to ask and also there were many opportunities provided to talk to people in different groups. There seemed to be an inclusive culture, with people from different backgrounds offering their knowledge and expertise.
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 enjoyed my insight a lot because of how welcome and valued I was made to feel. From the application to starting the scheme, there was constant involvement of the future talent team. There were also on hand by email or phone to answer any questions or worries you may have had. I learnt a lot not only about the firm and the work they do in this country and internationally, but also the firm's culture and values. It exceeded my expectations and I would go back to the scheme, if I was offered a place
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
Be yourself as the interviewers do not try and catch you out but want to see your personality. Prepare well for the assessment centre and research the firm and the main groups that they practice in. Make sure you have questions in mind which you want to know about the firm and also do not feel scared to ask questions.
