Rating

8.6/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • As a work experience student I was involved in a number of tasks. Firstly, I was given IT training as well as health and safety information. Also, I took part in a business exercise where we worked as a team to analyse a case and present our findings to the MD of the company in a mock-pitch style. I was then shown to my first department which was litigation, where I was asked to complete tasks for my supervisor. Throughout the rest of the week I was in a different department each day, which allowed me to explore the different areas of the company and what each department dealt with on a daily basis. I was given different presentations each morning about varies subjects, for example, entry to law, commercial law and litigation. These interactions allowed me to experience what being a solicitor in a commercial firm was like, and being able to speak to qualified solicitors as well as trainee solicitors and gap year students, allowed me to develop my knowledge of the career in general.

    8/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • I have learnt many skills, including communication, organistion, teamwork and written skills which will help me in many aspects of my future. Also, I have learnt how to act in a professional manner by being part of the workforce in the firm.

    8/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • I enjoyed the work which I was given, the range of tasks given to me was very useful. The team around me were very friendly and welcoming and improved my experience greatly by making me feel like part of the team, not just a work experience student. Different members of the departments gave me tasks to do, which was very useful because I was able to experience what type of work everyone was involved in rather than just one person. The work experience met my expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed my week at Pinsent Masons.

    9/10

  • 4. How valued do you feel by Pinsent Masons?
  • My supervisor and the rest of the departments made me feel valued and like a member of the team! I was given feedback on the tasks which I did, which helped me develop my skills and knowledge in that area of law, and the recognition and gratitude received after completing the tasks made me feel like my work was much appreciated.

    9/10

  • 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • The program is well structured and organised. A timetable was given out to allow me to familiarise myself with the program and which departments I was in on each day. The induction and training was organised and smooth, with each presentation already set up in the morning, allowing a smooth running of the day. The support from the supervisors was very helpful and they gave me advice whenever I asked for it, allowing for my organizational skills to be improved. The task delegation was efficient, with the tasks being sent to me before I even arrived, which allowed to promptly start them as soon as I was settled in to my office. The overall program was extremely well organised and structured, which allowed for a smooth running of the week.

    9/10

  • 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
  • My supervisor gave me as much support as I needed, from making sure I was settled in to answering any questions I had. Their help was much appreciated throughout the week and was there for whenever I needed it. All members of staff were willing to give me support when needed and guided me with any problems I had, allowing me to enjoy my week even more.

    9/10

  • 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • The employer gave me lots of support when needed. The HR team were there to welcome me at the beginning of the week and I had everyone's email address in case I needed to contact them at any point. All members of the team were able to guide me with any problems which I had and were always happy to support me.

    9/10

  • 7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?
  • The work experience was free to attend, however I had to pay for travel costs travelling to and from the office by rail each day. Also, I had to pay for lunch each day, however these expenses did not leave me with any detriment due to the fact that the experience was what I enrolled for and wanted to experience. The location of the firm was in an ideal place, as two rail stations are nearby making the firm easily accessible.

    7/10

  • 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
  • Many opportunities were available, for example, the supervisors said that I was welcome to attend any social events which were going on in the week. Also, I was informed of how to apply for gap placements and vacations schemes in the future, allowing me to stay in contact with the firm in the future.

    9/10

  • 9. Would you recommend Pinsent Masons to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • Pinsent Masons made me feel welcome when I first started my placement with them, and throughout the week they made me feel like I was a valued member of the team rather than merely a work experience student. The firm allowed me to partake in a variety of different tasks which developed my insight into the work that takes place here. The work experience program is very informative and a great way to develop my insight into the legal profession, and they welcome anyone into the firm, whether going on the study law or whether you are still undecided.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Pinsent Masons?
  • Fill in the application form with care - do not rush it and allow plenty of time to fill it in carefully and to the best of your ability. Find out about the company before hand to make sure it is the right firm for you and research some of the opportunities available to you beforehand so that you are ready to come with questions you can ask about them.


Details

Work Experience

Legal/Law

West Midlands

October 2014


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