Insight days (also called open days, discovery days, or taster events) are one-day or half-day programmes that let you experience what it is like to work at a particular organisation before committing to a full application. They are lower commitment than spring weeks and often have less competitive entry. For school students and early university students, they are one of the most accessible ways to build sector knowledge and professional contacts.
How insight days differ from spring weeks
An insight day is typically one day, sometimes virtual, and may not be assessed at all. A spring week is one to two weeks and often has a structured assessment component. Insight days focus on awareness and exploration — they are designed for students who are considering whether a particular sector or firm is right for them. Spring weeks are designed for students who have already decided on a sector and are building towards an internship application.
What happens on an insight day?
A typical insight day includes: a presentation about the firm, its work, and its culture; panel sessions with employees at different levels; a case study or skills workshop; a networking lunch or drinks session; and a Q&A. Some insight days include a mini assessment or group activity — if so, treat it as a real assessment. Even if the day is not formally assessed, employees remember candidates who stand out positively.
Who runs insight days?
Insight days are common in law (firms often run specific school-leaver programmes and insight events for Year 12 students), finance, consulting, technology, the Civil Service, the NHS, and large FMCG and retail businesses. Many are specifically designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds — programmes like Rare Recruitment's First-Generation Lawyers programme, Goldman Sachs' Possibilities Summit, and similar initiatives are worth searching for if you are a first-generation professional.
How to find insight days
Check employer websites directly in their Early Careers or Students sections. Use Nentra, Bright Network, Targetjobs, and RateMyPlacement to search for insight and discovery programmes. Sign up to employer mailing lists and LinkedIn company pages. Many insight days are advertised quietly and fill quickly — checking regularly is more effective than a single search.
Making the most of the day
Do your research the day before: read the firm's website, recent news, and understand its core business. Prepare two to three thoughtful questions for the panel session or networking. These should not be answerable by a Google search — ask about people's personal experiences, what surprised them about the role, or what makes the firm different. Exchange LinkedIn details with at least one employee and follow up within 48 hours with a personalised message referencing what you discussed.
Using insight days to strengthen future applications
Insight day experience can be mentioned in application forms and cover letters: "I attended [Firm's] insight day in [date], where I spoke with [team] about their work on [area]. That conversation reinforced my interest in [sector] because..." This demonstrates genuine, proactive engagement and gives you specific material to reference. It is substantially more compelling than generic statements about the firm's reputation.
Checklist
- Researched the firm before attending
- Prepared two to three thoughtful questions
- Brought a notebook or had a method for taking notes
- Exchanged contact details with at least one employee
- Sent a follow-up message within 48 hours
- Made a note of the experience for future application forms
Common mistakes to avoid
- Attending without doing any research
- Not preparing questions and staying silent in panel sessions
- Failing to follow up with contacts after the day
- Not using the experience in future application answers