Winter Vacation Scheme Review
at A&O Shearman
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: December 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
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Overview of Experience
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
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Overall Experience
5/5
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Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
One-week placement in offices. Mornings began with networking sessions over breakfast/coffee, which then led into informational sessions (i.e. 'Overview of Training Contract', 'Introduction to IP'). Afternoons were spent with a trainer in their practice area (an Associate or Senior Associate), learning about the work that they do. They delegated some routine trainee tasks. Plenty of social events for networking and socialising. Real opportunities to meet people within the firm.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
Incredibly insightful. One can only learn so much from the website of the firm and the grad recruitment. The firm does huge amounts of varied work and this vac scheme highlighted that. For example, in healthcare transactions.
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?
A great chance to exercise and build on social and networking skills. The week highlighted the skills required to succeed as a trainee solicitor. This provided good insight on what skills to work on as one progresses through to the TC.
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?
Very welcoming. The grad recruitment team made, what could have been a daunting experience, very open and warm. It was a challenging week but I felt secure knowing I could always ask questions. Considering we were Winter Vac Scheme students, teams within the firm outside of HR were approachable and friendly. Diversity initiatives are excellent. Pro bono work was inspiring.
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?
The week exceeded my expectations. The organisation and level of depth and breadth offered to us was fantastic. I felt I could tailor the week to my particular preferences and arrange to meet people within the firm.
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
The firm takes a much more holistic view to applications, placing emphasis on the individual and their achievements. The latter in the sense of what opportunities were available and how the applicant responded rather than solely exams at 18 years of age (i.e. did they overcome significant obstacles showing resilience? did they take on a significant workload and excel showing high performance and drive?).
