Work Experience Student Review

My role as a work experience student entailed sitting in 4 different practice groups throughout the week and assisting the trainee solicitors with any tasks that may need doing. Although these tasks did not require a large amount of law knowledge, they adequately required me to engage with them and I was very easily able to resolve any questions I had either with Google or by asking my trainee for help.

I have developed my research skills as many of the tasks involved research on specific topics. I have also developed my time-management skills as tasks had to be completed as soon as possible or by a deadline. In order to do this, I had to have an understanding of which tasks to prioritise. Furthermore, I have developed my independent learning skills as I wanted to try and answer questions I had myself before asking the busy trainees for assistance.

I enjoyed my work experience programme hugely as it gave me so many opportunities to network and ask questions that I would not have had otherwise. It also gave me a very raw insight as to what life and work at the firm is like.

As I was only with the firm for a week unpaid, I did not have much of an opportunity to build a relationship with the firm itself. However, all of the employees were very approachable and welcoming and were always happy to answer questions.

The programme was very well organised. I received information regarding dates and times well in advance and I was also given a timetable of my week that included times, locations and the names of those who would be looking after me each day. All of the employees involved in looking after us knew exactly what they were meant to be doing with us and when.

Our supervisors were very well informed as to what work they could give us to do and were always happy to help resolve any issues we had.

If we had an issues, we were told exactly who we could contact, and their responses were quick and helpful. The site staff and receptionists, as well as all of the other employees were helpful and willing to assist you.

Because I did a work experience week, I was not paid by the firm. However, we were offered free taxi journeys if we left the office after 7pm. Additionally, any public transport journeys we took during the working day in order to go to meetings was paid for, and the kitchen facilities were all free also.

Even though I was only doing work experience, I was invited to a netball match that Pinsent Masons were playing against another firm. The players were all very accommodating and were grateful to have me playing with me. Although I did not have the opportunity to do so during the week that I was with the firm, I was made aware that the firm takes part in a range of charity activities to help the local community, such as building and painting fences for local schools and writing CVs for the homeless.

Yes

The week allowed me to gain a raw insight into life and work at the firm and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I was able to gain experience of the sorts of cases that solicitors at the firm work on and the amount and range of work that each case requires.

I would advise them to make the most of their week by asking as many questions as possible and talking to as many people as they can meet. I would also advise them to take any opportunities that are thrown their way with open arms. For example, on one of the days, I was seated at a desk inside the office of a partner so I made sure to network with her and ask her any questions I had about law or the firm itself.