How many (if any) years of engineering work experience valued for IP law?

[paul34]

Hey all. I've been reading around, and possibly this sort of question has been answered before, in which case I apologize.

At any rate, I'm currently doing my undergrad in EE. I've read conflicting advice here, but the plan is to do a MSEE immediately after my BS, then go to law school immediately after that. I have one EE internship under my belt (for a semester), and may possibly work for the three months (maybe, unless they take me in earlier) between BSEE and MSEE.

Question: Should I work as an engineer for say, a year, before going to law school? Do IP jobs look for the technical "mindset," or more for the engineering experience? I don't want to waste more time, and so don't want to work an extra year if I don't have to. Financially, I figure that the "extra" year AFTER law school, if I go straight there (if I can get a job right out of law school) would be better, financially, at paying back any loans I would have to take anyway, compared to a year's worth of MSEE salary.

You may be asking why I want to do a MSEE. One thing, a simple desire for personal accomplishment (but it's not a super strong desire - I have more of a desire to get a decent job with better prospects than EE). But other than that, I'm not sure about this, but would it make me look like I'm more "technical"? Plus there's the technical experience of being a research assistant which I am planning to get during my MS. I suppose that could count as experience.

Details: I'll probably have about a 3.3 GPA when I graduate UG. I'm in Florida, so the plan is either UF or FSU law (if my LSAT scores are good enough, of course), which are both just within T1 (above the #51 mark). I'd really, really love to go to Stanford, but obviously I have to keep my sights realistic, especially with my GPA. Not sure what kind of score I'm capable of pushing out on the LSAT, but I'm definitely aiming for 165-170, which is a lofty goal... definitely going to be studying hard for that.

Plan summary:
1) Finish BSEE
2) Do MSEE
 2a. Study for and take patent bar during this time
 2b. Study for and take LSAT during this time
 2c. Get a research or GA position during MSEE
3) Do JD
4) IP Job?

[Jim_W]

I've got loads of experience and it isn't helping me much at this point. They all seem to want prosecution experience as opposed to other types of experience.

[Scotto]

^ Yup, I second that. That first "foot in the door" job is the toughest to get.

[MYK]

Details: I'll probably have about a 3.3 GPA when I graduate UG. I'm in Florida, so the plan is either UF or FSU law (if my LSAT scores are good enough, of course), which are both just within T1 (above the #51 mark). I'd really, really love to go to Stanford, but obviously I have to keep my sights realistic, especially with my GPA. Not sure what kind of score I'm capable of pushing out on the LSAT, but I'm definitely aiming for 165-170, which is a lofty goal...

Unless you're absolutely set on remaining within Florida, with those numbers I would suggest applying to higher-ranked law schools.  You can get into a mid-tier-1 with those.  You would also be better off going to a law school in an area with a lot of EE patent work (CA, DC;  maybe even TX, IL, NY), since even mid-tier-1 degrees are somewhat regional.

[paul34]

It is definitely my dream to go to Stanford, and I want to work towards that. However, after looking at how Stanford Law does admissions, I wonder whether I'll really qualify. Even if I get a 180 on the LSAT (ha), they're still looking at the "overall individual." I mean, I'm not sure if anything I ever did really qualifies for Stanford standards. I didn't exactly cure cancer on my spare time or invent perpetual energy or something. But, I will work towards that in the next year or so to be sure and I do plan on applying when it's time to do so, at least to try my hardest.

The process overall is vague which both discourages me and gives me hope.

[MYK]

My grades and score weren't even close to what Stanford wants, but from what I read, they can pick and choose whomever they want, so the "soft factors" really come into play when trying for the top half-dozen schools.

[paul34]

I have one more question about LS. I know that generally, four years is the upper limit of the age of LSAT scores most schools will accept. Some will do more, some less. Anyway, I was thinking of studying for and eventually taking my LSAT maybe in the June 2010 session for the first time (and hopefully the last). However, I am planning to do my MSEE full time after that. I don't see it taking more than two years. Is this ok, or should I be waiting until later to do the LSAT? I'd rather do it sooner when I have more time rather than during the semesters during my MSEE.

[Scotto]

My grades and score weren't even close to what Stanford wants, but from what I read, they can pick and choose whomever they want, so the "soft factors" really come into play when trying for the top half-dozen schools.

I woke up and smelled reality after posting by "BSME going to LS" thread near some time ago. Changed some plans and unfortunately Stanford is no longer in it. Just stay focused on your career goals and don't get too hung up on what it takes to get there.