Work experience student Review

As part of the work experience programme, we were given an insight into the role of the lawyers at the firm. We were given tasks such as legal research, reviewing contracts, corresponding with clients and summarising legal documents. We worked in various different departments. We interacted with other members of each department team and given valuable advice from our supervisors.

Personally, I developed my writing skills, as I had to draft documents, correspond electronically with people and write articles for a legal blog. I also had to present some of my legal research findings and was tasked with creating and delivering a closing submission for a mock trial. This allowed me to develop my public speaking skills. Professionally, having to liaise with my other team members and delegate work helped me to develop my teamwork and communication skills.

I really enjoyed the programme. The team at Pinsent Masons team were very friendly and helpful, and I was well guided by the supervisors we got to work with. I enjoyed the environment I worked in. As well as day-to-day tasks, we were involved in fun activities such as a mock trial which I really enjoyed. It met most of my expectations. However, the one thing I did not enjoy was the limitation on the number of departments we could work in. I worked in two very similar departments, which gave me only a narrow view of the variety of fields I was able to work in. I would have enjoyed to have worked in two very different departments to gain a greater insight into the variety of fields that I could choose from in the world of work. This programme could benefit from being a bit longer than a week so that it could accommodate this. I would have enjoyed it more if this had been implemented.

I felt well valued. The team were constantly giving up their time to work with us, such as through giving us a tour of the firm, giving us many presentations explaining their work, and in engaging us in fun activities, such as the mock trial. The supervisor system was also great, as we were each allocate a member of staff to whom we could talk to, and they constantly guided us and listened to our questions and concerns. They were very friendly and enthusiastic in helping us. We were given lots of positive feedback, and I personally felt like my supervisors really appreciated the work I did for them. We were treated as colleagues rather than work experience students.

The programme was generally well organised - we were given everything we needed to know in advance, and there was a timetable telling us exactly where we needed to be. Sometimes, the member of staff we were meant to be meeting was late, and it was a bit difficult to contact people in this event. However, the supervisor system was very well organised, as it meant we had someone to turn to with our questions and concerns. One way I would structure the programme better is to organise it such that each person got to work in a variety of different departments. The two departments I worked in were very similar - related to contracts and building - and I would have loved to work in something slightly different, such as intellectual property.

I received excellent support from my supervisors. They checked over my work, gave me positive reinforcement and feedback where appropriate. Before each session, they would invite me to ask them questions about their work and day-to-day life over coffee, which gave me a greater insight into life at a corporate law firm. They were very friendly and enthusiastic on this level. However, it was harder to contact their superiors in the case of bigger questions or problems. Overall, the environment was generally supportive and friendly, and we were given anything we needed. We were also given all the training we needed to complete the tasks. For example, on the first day, we were given a complete IT training induction so we could use all the company software.

We were very well informed by them and given all the instructions and materials we were needed. However, it was harder to contact the manager and the people in charge of the whole programme, particularly when something went wrong, for example, when someone who we were supposed to meet was running late or did not show up.

I did not expect to be paid for this programme, as it was just a week's work experience, therefore it met all my expectations! I was not overworked and was just given work that would benefit me and give me a small insight into what everyday life at the firm would be like.

Outside of work, we were invited to socialise with the team. My supervisors and colleagues invited us to ask them questions about their job over coffee. We were also invited to social activities as colleagues, such as a drinks reception on the Friday. We were given lots of free time to explore the part of the city we were situated in.

Yes

It was a very informative insight into the life of a lawyer at the firm. The team was very friendly and welcoming. I felt very appreciated and my contribution felt very valued by the staff members, particularly by the supervisors for whom we were working for. It is also very fun and varied - we were not just given paperwork but were engaged in a variety of fun activities, such as the mock trial and a case investigation.

Do not leave applying to the last minute. The form requires a lot of thought and reminded me of applying to university. It is also very competitive. Pinsent Masons were also very particular about spelling and grammar, as being good at them is an essential skill for a lawyer, so I would advise being very thorough and careful.