Winter Vacation Scheme 2023 Review
at A&O Shearman
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: April 2024
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.
On day 1, we had a day of introductions. We were introduced to the firm, the Training Principal, the other vacation scheme students, our teams and our Trainers. From day 2 to 4, we were based in our teams and completed different sample tasks. On the final day, we presented a group task that we had spent the week preparing for in between our tasks and networking breaks. On day 4, there was a partner dinner.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
The vacation scheme was very useful for learning more about the firm, how it was structured and how that structure was visible in the office. I already had a certain level of knowledge as I had researched the firm before applying. However, being on the scheme helped me to learn more about the prospects for professional development and how such development could happen within the firm.
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?
Yes. I developed my ability to work with legal documents and do legal research tasks. I also improved interpersonal skills such as communication, teamwork and perseverance. This was especially useful when working on the group task with the other vacation scheme students. I also developed my ability to network as there were multiple opportunities throughout the week to meet different members of the firm and learn more about them and their time at the firm.
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?
I knew the firm was friendly, and I found that to be true while I was there. No member of the firm made me feel like I was intruding or like I was a nuisance. The associates and partners in my team went out of their way to include me in conversations and learn about me as I was learning about them, too. I was also involved in company events and team traditions.
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 the insight because it really cemented my idea of working at the firm. Experiencing the firm's culture and atmosphere and meeting the different members of the firm from different roles (i.e. diversity, graduate recruitment, associates, trainers, etc.). I loved the firm's outlook on balancing hobbies and your personal life with professional work. I found that the insight included a lot of useful events to immerse me into the firm's culture.
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 and reimbursed expenses
Recommendations and Advice
Please rate the future employment prospects at A&O Shearman
5/5
Would you recommend A&O Shearman to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to A&O Shearman
I would definitely encourage others to look into the firm's opportunities. These range from online internships to vacation schemes and the different events the graduate recruitment goes to (i.e. Social Mobility Factory). The application process felt less daunting than with other firms, and the vacation scheme itself was really enjoyable and insightful. I did not feel overworked or like I had to take work home with me. I also did not feel like I was being assessed because the atmosphere was really relaxed.
