Work Experience Student Review

We were given tasks to complete including drafting a new form of legislation and giving advice to a client about their criminal liability based off a sample act we were given. We also received highly informative sessions about the entry into law, pathways we could take, CV building, and essential skills.

We were taught about skills that are essential to becoming a lawyer, such as commercial awareness. The staff also delivered sessions on how to build and develop a CV and the importance of responsible business which are useful not only for a career in law but any future career as a whole.

The work experience programme was highly informative and enabled me to discover different pathways into law that I was unaware of beforehand. We were able to network with other potential law students and discuss how we plan to progress into legal careers. I have gained new insight into what it takes to become a lawyer.

Each day was scheduled with plenty of activities and workshops that provided insight into the different pathways into law. We were given organised comfort breaks to improve mental health and provide a fresh view for the oncoming sessions. We were asked to complete certain tasks independently and these were uploaded onto preexisting assignments.

There were multiple sessions that were ran that introduced the company culture. Multiple discussions were had about the processes of joining the company and becoming a member of the team, and about what it is like to work there. We were directed towards resources to find out more about the company.

I already knew that I wanted to pursue a career in law before starting the work experience programme which is how I discovered the company in the first place. However, the work experience programme has helped to clarify which route I want to follow into law because of the helpfulness of the staff and volunteers.

The work experience programme was a free programme so there was no cost involved in applying or participating. There was an application process involved and a certain amount of people were accepted. None of the students involved were paid or reimbursed for joining the programme, but it was useful for developing experience.

We were able to discuss with the volunteers and employees of pinsent masons throughout each session, including the ability to ask questions and start conversations. One of the sessions involved in the programme was a networking lunch where we were able to meet and get to know other students involved in the programme.

Yes

The employees, staff and volunteers that I have come into contact with were super friendly and helpful, offering detailed answers and explanations to any questions that were asked. The sessions in the work experience programme were highly informative and provided insight into a career in law. The application for the programme was relatively straight forward.

The best advice I could probably give to other students applying to pinsent masons would be to start applying early. The company itself is very organised where the offer training contract placement contracts 2 years before the graduate is expected to graduate from university. Numerous people apply for the same positions.