Rethinking Patent Career

Subject: Re: Rethinking Patent Career

Comments:
: I was wondering if y'all had some career advice. I am currently looking for a job. I had been working in patent prosecution but was miserable, even though on paper (I have an engineering undergrad) patent law would have been a good fit. : Much of the problem was that patent pros was not really my choice but rather was something I slipped into because it was "easy". I often felt like I did not not have enough technical training to really understand a lot of the inventions I was asked to prosecute. I have a degree in ME but never worked a day in ME, instead spending a few years doing IT support work (and learning some CS, enough to have a minor if I had done it all at one school). I could handle some, if not many, "electrical" cases that were really software/digital logic/comp sci inventions, but of course sometimes employers only look at the degree. : In the end, I either got in trouble for spending too much time on cases or for not billing enough of the time. And because of the pressure to be efficient, I couldn't even ask anyone for help because it might end up costing projects too much. I ended up involuntarily changing firms two times, too, meaning I had to ramp up suddenly twice. : I wonder what advice any of y'all might have. I definitely want to get out of patent prosecution but because I have had a "few [mediocre] years of experience" I found no one will look at my resume for anything BUT patent pros. : I would absolutely jump at it if I could go back and start doing litigation (obviously patent litigation would be an ideal transition) or even corporate work (again, high tech e-commerce stuff would be ideal with the IT background). I have even offered to start at a lower associate class (even down to 1st year). : Anyone have any suggestions for moving onto a different practice area? I am trying to apply for government jobs and some in-house jobs. I have offered to start at a lower class level but never got any takers. I am even trying to volunteer but the litigation at these nonprofits tend to be different (in terms of discovery) than patent lit. I am wondering if a course or LLM in trial advocacy might help...any suggestions are welcome. : Thanks, : JW

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

Do not disclose any details of any patent idea. See a lawyer.
Before you post a message you must agree to the Terms of Use.