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Future trainee solicitor Review

at Shoosmiths

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Legal/Law

London

Review Submitted: October 2021

Overall Rating

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!

5/5 - Overview of Experience
5/5 - Skills Development
5/5 - 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.
We were given a schedule packed full of talks showcasing various practice areas, practical workshops, and assignments that emulated trainee tasks, including an ongoing project throughout the scheme.
We were assigned a trainee buddy and an associate, who doubled as our project mentor, and our office’s training principal oversaw assignments.
Outside of these activities, there were ample opportunities to network with trainees and other vacation schemers and even a virtual escape room.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
I gained a great insight into the work of a commercial law firm and the role of a trainee solicitor.
At Shoosmiths, their people live and breathe their values, and these shone through the vast array of people we met from the firm and the focus of the work we undertook – even virtually!
By the end, I had gained the confidence to say that both this career and firm are the right fit for me.
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?
The individual project developed my networking skills, as we were encouraged to reach out to specialists at the firm to develop our expertise. The busy schedule and the limited time we had to prepare for our pitch honed my ability to manage my time effectively and to produce high quality work under a tight deadline. I also learnt how to effectively showcase my research skills, creativity, commercial mindset through a short business pitch.
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
5/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Given that we couldn’t physically be in the office, I thought that grasping the firm’s culture and what aspects of that make life as a Shoosmiths’ trainee unique would be difficult. However, at Shoosmiths their people live and breathe their values. Everyone is extremely willing to volunteer their time to support you and ensure that you get the most out of the experience.
From start to finish, I felt challenged, valued and excited.
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 really enjoyed the insight. We were given a great overview of the work undertaken at the firm through the schedule packed full of full of talks showcasing various practice areas, practical workshops, and assignments that emulated trainee tasks.
Despite not being in the office, the willingness of everyone at the firm to take the time out to help you enabled me to establish a great network during my time at the firm and beyond.
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 Shoosmiths
5/5
Would you recommend Shoosmiths to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Shoosmiths
At Shoosmiths, everyone is extremely willing to volunteer their time to support you and ensure that you get the most out of the experience. So be proactive, friendly and put effort into building those relationships; this will show your enthusiasm, enable you to really understand the values that drive Shoosmiths’ strategy and ultimately help you to maximise the opportunity.
In This Review
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