Work Experience Student Review

As a work experience student, I assisted trainee solicitors, an NQ, and a paralegal by completing various tasks such as drafting letters and researching.

I have learned how to research into the law more efficiently after being shown a very useful website called Practical Law. In addition, I think that I have developed my networking skills and gained more confidence with working alongside professionals.

I fully enjoyed the programme and was most certainly made to feel welcome into the company. The ambiance and the attitude at Pinsent Masons are very positive and everybody is approachable. I got on very well with the other Work Experience students which made the programme even more enjoyable and it was nice to spend a week in a different environment with new people.

I felt very valued by the trainee solicitors as they could understand the position we were in. Some of the tasks were also part of real cases which was a big responsibility and showed that they trusted us to complete such work.

Overall, the programme is structured very well and I felt well informed all throughout the week. The induction was very informative on the Monday however I thought that we could have done something different on the afternoon rather than going to our practice groups. Perhaps ice-breakers between the work experience group and the trainee solicitors may have been a nice introduction for everyone.

In terms of support, there was only one day I felt I had quite a lot of work to do alone with not much support, but the rest of the week there was an appropriate amount of work with helpful guidance from the trainees at all times. I received necessary information to complete the task set, with some trainees also giving me further advice to make things as comfortable as possible.

The induction at the beginning of the week from the HR lady was very helpful and made everyone feel welcome and informed. The tour of the office was also very useful and for something which isn't always quite exciting, it was delivered in an entertaining manner, which I enjoyed. The enthusiasm from everyone was evident.

This question does not apply to our work experience group.

I personally did not experience any outside of work events but I am aware that the company regularly have sports events and leisure activities such as bowling. Also, I think the scheme where solicitors have reading sessions with school students is an excellent initiative as well as all the other charity work Pinsent Masons is involved with.

Yes

It is a very welcoming environment and their values (ABC- Approachable, Bold and Connected) are very important to them which comes across well.

I was extremely lucky and the work experience was arranged via Pathways to Law so unfortunately I couldn't give first hand advice. However, a gap year student recommended ensuring applications show evidence of research into the company, and also I would make sure spelling and grammar is accurate because attention to detail in a law firm is absolutely pivotal.