B.S.EE - How to get that First Job??

[gsimon]

Hi all,

So I'll be graduating this June with a B.S Electrical Engineering, and I'm wondering if anyone has advice on "getting your foot in the door" in the patent industry.  I've attempted applying to various patent agent positions, but not yet having taken the patent bar, I haven't had much luck (surprise, surprise!).  I found a few "patent engineer" and "technical specialist" positions, but those usually cater to M.S./Ph.D candidates with industry experience.

Is there any way into this market for a B.S. EE with ~1 year EE experience?  Any job titles I should be searching?  Am I best off continuing to apply for patent agent positions despite the 0 years patent experience and lack of USPTO registration, or is that a complete waste of time?  Currently in California; mainly been applying in California.

Thanks,
Greg

[UVAgal4]

Maybe I am way off base on this, but I don't think a key factor will be whether or not you have already passed the registration exam. Any potential employer will look at your degree + amount of experience, conclude that you are basically going to have to be spoon-fed everything for the next two years, and then decide whether or not they think the amount of effort on their part is justified, based on your grades, willingness to work, etc.
Passing the Registration exam won't give you any real-world knowledge of how to write a good patent, nor even how to fill out the forms.

[khazzah]

Maybe I am way off base on this, but I don't think a key factor will be whether or not you have already passed the registration exam.

I disagree.

I think having passed the patent bar shows that you're serious about doing patent law. And it means that you'll have more time for billing since you won't be studying for the patent bar. [Most firms give you the same billable req't regardless of whether you have a reg. no., so this shouldn't be a factor. But the reality is that your hours are likely to drop when you start studying.]

they think the amount of effort on their part is justified, based on your grades, etc.

My impression is that grades are important to BigLaw firms, but not to midsize or small firms. Also, I'd guess grades are less important to IP-only firms, who realize that it's harder to graduate cum laude in engineering than in history or poli sci.

[smgsmc]

Hybrid of the above two answers.  Passing the patent bar falls into the "It definitely will do no harm, and "all things else being equal" it can give you the edge over someone with the same background but no reg. no."  However, it is not essential.  I agree that passing the exam does show you are serious about a patent career, and not just hanging around until something better shows up.  It's also true that passing the exam per se does not reduce substantially the amount of training needed.   As a tech specialist you can do all the work that a patent agent can ... you just can't sign off on the forms.  The guy next door has two years more experience than I do, but a higher reg. no.; he was just too lazy to take the exam.   As is apparent from other posts, getting a job as a newbie will require special luck or advantage.  If a firm wants to take you on for a specific reason (such as a technical niche), lacking a reg. no. probably won't deter them from hiring you.  If you are serious about a patent career, though, it's best to get that stupid exam out of the way.  Good luck.

[onetwothreefour]

Maybe the guy next door was busy billing instead of studying for the exam.

If you've got some time on your hands, get the exam out of the way now.   It will substantially increase the odds of getting a job as an agent.  It will also make your life easier when you start - you'll be able to sign your own papers, and perhaps more importantly, conduct examiner interviews by yourself.  Plus you won't have to worry about it when you're busy billing, just like the guy next door.

[MSEE]

I was (still am) in your position. All i can say is that if you are willing to work for free, that it will be alot easier. I started off searching on careerbuilder, etc. But you have to understand that there are alot of out-of-work agents and associate level attorneys applying for those jobs as well. Look at local smaller firms websites, email somebody you have something in common with ( same undergrad school, worked similair place, etc.) send them an email saying you want to intern for free and how interested you are in really pursuing IP law. I did this this past fall semester and ended up interning at a small firm and gaining invaluable experience. By the same token, I emailed 15 firms, got responses from 4 and actually got an interview with one. (it was an IP boutique, not a general practice firm) that is the best way in. In my time at the firm they brought on two new attorneys and didnt really have a place for me at the time, but I now have exp. and will be sitting for the patent bar in the next few months, to go along with attending law school this fall. long story short, intern for free, email everyone and their mother and bust ass once you get your foot in the door.

[gsimon]

MSEE: How many hours a week do you intern for?  During the hours of 9-5, or are you able to work still?

[ChiefJRoberts]

Hi all,

So I'll be graduating this June with a B.S Electrical Engineering, and I'm wondering if anyone has advice on "getting your foot in the door" in the patent industry.  I've attempted applying to various patent agent positions, but not yet having taken the patent bar, I haven't had much luck (surprise, surprise!).  I found a few "patent engineer" and "technical specialist" positions, but those usually cater to M.S./Ph.D candidates with industry experience.

Is there any way into this market for a B.S. EE with ~1 year EE experience?  Any job titles I should be searching?  Am I best off continuing to apply for patent agent positions despite the 0 years patent experience and lack of USPTO registration, or is that a complete waste of time?  Currently in California; mainly been applying in California.

Thanks,
Greg

since no one else really answered your question, i'll give it a shot. try being a patent examiner for a few years. that would be my best suggestion. the problem for you though that  it is that it's located in Alexandria VA.

[dablueman]

since no one else really answered your question, i'll give it a shot. try being a patent examiner for a few years. that would be my best suggestion. the problem for you though that  it is that it's located in Alexandria VA.

And they're not hiring people with no patent experience this year.

@gslmon - the sad truth no one here has said is that you're not very likely to get a job in the patent industry (especially in CA) in the current market. You don't have the education/experience for a technical specialist position, and you don't have the experience for an agent position.  Entry level agent positions are being filled by experienced agents and there is a large supply right now of out-of-work agents. If I was in your position I'd be looking for engineering jobs.

[pele1212]

Consider the PTO.  They are hiring, you gain experience and knowledge of the law, and firms/companies do consider it to be valuable experience.

My path is/was probably not normal, but it basically goes: BS Physics/EE (98) - 2 years patent office - MSEE - Agent at top law firm - director of IP for small company.  The PTO experience was looked on highly at each step.

Good luck!

[dablueman]

They are hiring, you gain experience and knowledge of the law, and firms/companies do consider it to be valuable experience.

Do you know something I don't know? As far as I know the PTO is not hiring people with no patent experience this year.