Work Experience Student Review

During the work experience, we were given an insight into what a legal career entails, particularly in commercial law. This was provided through presentations by guest speakers, and assigned tasks in smaller groups, led by a trainee lawyer. We were also assigned interesting tasks to complete independently and submit online.

I gained confidence in interacting with members of a team to complete a task. For example, we were given the task of advising a hypothetical client on whether they should recall their faulty sun tan lotion. With the prompts from the trainee lawyer who was leading us, we worked quite well as a group and it was overall a lovely experience.

I found the work experience very enjoyable. I think perhaps I would have enjoyed a few more group exercises, where someone with legal knowledge then went over possible answers. However, the slideshow presentations were also very interesting and are likely to be great to talk about on a CV or application.

I think the work experience was very well organised. We were talked through what we should do at each step, and the organisers would share their screen with us if somebody was confused about where to find one of the exercises. Everything always ran exactly on time which was really helpful.

I personally think it was a great insight into what it would be like to work at Pinsent Masons. A particularly great insight into what it would be like to work there was when we met with our supervisors, who were trainee lawyers, in groups of 4 or 5. They were very friendly and gave detailed descriptions of what it is like to work at Pinsent Masons

It gave a really great insight into what it is like to work at a commercial law firm, and after the small group sessions with our supervisors I think I might like to do a seat in 'planning'. The presentation on areas of law was particularly helpful for deciding career paths.

No we were not paid or reimbursed in any way for this Virtual work experience placement with Pinsent Masons. The whole week of work experience took place on the online platform forage, so there were not any travel costs, meal costs or social costs that would need to be taken into account.

Yes, there were several opportunities for networking and meeting others on the scheme. There were two lunch periods during the week which were optional 'networking sessions', where we could join a video call and talk to other people who were on the work experience, so we could make as many connections as we liked.

Yes

The atmosphere on the work experience was really lovely. All the people running the events were very friendly and willing to help. We were constantly reassured that we could contact the team at any point if we needed help with something. The content of the programme was very interesting and useful.

I would suggest to talk about team-work skills on any applications for a work experience placement with Pinsent Masons, since there was more than one session of group work. An important part of the firm seems to be the ethos, so I would recommend commenting that they wish to make a positive contribution to the community at the firm.