ADD ADVICE TO FAVSarah, winter placement at Allen & Overy
Name: Sarah
Degree: Law, University of Manchester (third year)
Duration of work experience: 10 days
Employer: Allen & Overy
Department: Corporate
1. What did you do to get this work-experience opportunity?
The application process involved completing an online application form, followed by an assessment at Allen & Overy’s offices.
The assessment comprised two interviews: one which focused on me, my skills and my interest in A&O; and another where I had to give a mock presentation to a ’client’ on a case study I had been given some time to prepare. Interviews are usually with Partners or Associates.
2. What sort of projects did you work on?
Our time was split between group work and time in the office with our trainer (the solicitor we sat with).
We were split into groups and given a project to work on over our time at the firm. This involved presenting a mock client pitch to the group at the end of the placement. We also participated in seminars and activities such as negotiation exercises.
’I definitely took more away from the scheme than I contributed.’
In the office my trainer gave me mostly research tasks on issues that he was working on at the time. I was also given the opportunity to attend court to witness some interesting proceedings that the litigation department was involved in.
3. How much were you able to contribute?
The scheme seemed more geared around us getting something than us contributing. Obviously my trainer was grateful for my help around the office, but I definitely took more away from the scheme than I contributed.
4. What did you enjoy the most?
I really enjoyed meeting and spending time with all the interesting people on my placement and at A&O in general. The office is friendly and relaxed, which really seems to be a recipe for a good working environment.
5. What did you enjoy the least?
Being a student, the early mornings were a bit of a shock, but apart from that everything was pretty enjoyable.
’Being a student, the early mornings were a bit of a shock.’
6. What is the most important thing you learned?
The fact that a career as a solicitor is for me and that A&O is where I want to start that career.
7. Has your choice of career changed as a result of your period of work experience?
Most definitely not – my desire to pursue a career as a solicitor was confirmed by my time at A&O.
The scheme enabled me to see what the job of a solicitor entails and more importantly what working at A&O entails. I was impressed by what I saw and am now looking forward to joining in 2010.
