Work experience Review

Everyday I was placed in different departments so I could get a real feel for everything on offer at Pinsent Masons. For example I was place in Investment, Asset Management and Real Estate on the first day, there I looked over property titles and answered a series of questions. The next department I was in was Projects, there I listened in on conference calls and complete questions on the legal side of business. On the last two days I was in TMT, there I drafted termination notices and checked companies registered addresses on Companies House. Also throughout the week I had various presentations, such as networking skills, entry to law, business group exercise and a litigation talk. These were all very interesting and I learned lots throughout them

I have developed many skills while here at Pinsent Masons, for example I am so much more confident as throughout the week I have had to communicate with people who I have never met before, which although daunting, has helped me a lot. Also I have been given lots of advice and tips about getting into a career in law.

I have really enjoyed the programme as I have learnt so much about the firm and many questions that I had about a career in law have now been answered. This work experience was for me to see if I have made the right choice going to study law at university and I can now say that I have.

Throughout my time at Pinsent Masons I have been made to feel extremely welcome by everyone. The supervisors that give you your tasks for the day are really friendly and are happy to answer any questions. I was never made to feel like a child, which was good because although I am 17 sometimes because you are still at school you are still looked upon as a child, everyone looked at me as a young adult and treated me the same as all the other workers.

The programme was well structured in the sense that at the beginning of the week I was given a timetable so I knew exactly where I would be all the time which was good. Also when you were in your department for the day the supervisors had tasks lined up for you so you were never not doing something productive.

During the programme you are given lots of support, but not in the sense that your supervisor will be next to you the whole time helping you, while completing tasks you are left to it and it is your responsibility to ask for help if you needed it which was good as when you do go out to work as an adult that is what would happen

I received lots of help from other members of that department, for example my supervisor was out of the office one afternoon so one the gap year students came and talked through the work with me, also one time when I needed help at the printer one of the lawyers helped me and didn't make me feel embarrassed for needing help.

I would say that the programme was well suited to the money I was prepared to spend as we were told that we would get all of the travel expenses back. Also we were provided with a gift voucher for the Co-Op so that we could buy lunch throughout the programme

We were told about many things that departments do outside of work however because of the short time that we actually spent in the department there wasn't really time to discuss this

Yes

I would recommend it as it is an experience that immerses you in the world of being a trainee lawyer with Pinsent Masons, it helps you decide firstly if you want to do law then, if so what department or area of law you would want to go into.

Make the most of everything, you are only there for a week and it flies by so make sure you are enthusiastic about everything you do. Don't be nervous or anything like that, there is just no need to everyone makes you feel so welcome, you would never be asked to do something that is impossible and if 6you arte not sure your supervisor or other lawyers are more than happy to help. Also make sure and ask every single question that you want to know the answer to.