Work Experience Student Review

I was consistently given work that enhanced skills that are to be found in law. Working alongside two supervisors helped me understand how different law fields function, all the while supported by a welcoming community of people in a healthy work environment. The workshops always saw active participation from everyone involved.

The work experience at Pinsent Masons built on my communication skills having been introduced to a variety of people with whom I worked with. Simultaneously, it offered insight into how to research the law in accordance to what is needed for a lawyer. Training programmes like the mock employment tribunal allowed us to actively participate and argue our points in an environment that allowed us to ease ourselves effectively into the process, challenging our abilities to both argue and process information to formulate arguments.

I highly enjoyed the work experience, it offered a variety of experiences that allowed us to develop our skills, gain insight into the law and how a firm of solicitors use it, and finally offered us the opportunity to gain valuable connections with people our own age looking to continue law to the next stage of our education.

The work experience was expertly organised by the firm, having had a timetable put together and given to each student. It was thoroughly adhered to and ensured that our experience at Pinsent Masons offered us a range of experiences to develop us as potential lawyers. At no point were we left without an idea of what to do.

It was made very apparent to me what different aspects of work life involved at Pinsents, having been invited to meetings and examined bundles to understand the level of dedication in their job. I was invited to charity meetings and learnt about how the company takes its matters outside of work seriously.

I realised that a lot of the skills learnt are found doing a law degree (or the law conversion course) and that doing this degree would push me to become a better lawyer. This only encouraged me to attempt such a degree, and go on to become a solicitor. The firm's workshops, however reinforced that law is not the sole option for those with a law degree, and that there's many different routes to achieve the same result of being a solicitor.

I was not paid or reimbursed expenses, but I was given a voucher for £6 spending money at the café on one day. The experience itself was wholly worth the travel costs and offered a vast array of knowledge that would serve me later in life, a service that will offer me monetary compensation later in life.

When I joined both departments, I was introduced to most of the team in the departments I worked in, allowing me to socialise and get to grips with what a lot of the employees did. Many employees took up on my supervisor's offer and gave me work to perform for them to better my learning experience, and allowing me to socialise with them more in the meanwhile.

Yes

It is a well-rounded work experience that encompasses a lot of aspects regarding being a lawyer in a big firm. The experience offers opportunities to network with both lawyers and people your own age, to hone your skills in as potential barristers and solicitors, and all in a professional yet friendly work environment.

My advice would be to get stuck in the work immediately. It's a big shift from school hours, but the faster you accept it, the faster you'll adapt to it and grasp what working life is really about. Finally, try and leave with a good impression from the firm.