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[nismogt]

Hello,

I am currently finishing a MSEE.  Previously I was a biotech/chem patent attorney for 2 years before being laid off.  The MSEE has been awesome and I am graduating with a good understanding of semiconductors and wireless communications.   

I have the good fortune of choosing between two job offers, although neither is a patent attorney position.

The first is with a major telecomm company as a strategy and technology consultant.  Apparently they liked the EE degree and the good communications skills that an attorney develops.  The clients would include the entire spectrum of the telecomm industry.

The second is with a major consumer electronics company as an engineer that is staffed on the legal team, basically an IP specialist.  I would provide technical advice on patent litigation matters, among other duties.   

I would like to leave the door open for reentry back into a patent position.  I am still finding that law firms still see me as a biotech type, and perhaps one of these jobs in the EE related world would help. 

Many thanks for the advice.

     

[polarbear]

I think the telecom job might be better preparation to move into corporate management if you have that interest.

The consumer electronics position would probably be better if your ultimate goal is to get back to a patent firm as an EE.  It might also lead to an inhouse attorney postion at this or another company.

[Isaac]

The first is with a major telecomm company as a strategy and technology consultant.  Apparently they liked the EE degree and the good communications skills that an attorney develops.  The clients would include the entire spectrum of the telecomm industry.

Sounds like a "soft-tech" EE job.  I was never built that way, but it could give you some EE street cred.  I'd say go with that if you are a faux EE person.  (I know you have an MS, but still...)

The second is with a major consumer electronics company as an engineer that is staffed on the legal team, basically an IP specialist.  I would provide technical advice on patent litigation matters, among other duties.

It's sounds like in-house not quite attorney position, and thus two big steps away from being a firm attorney.  Some possible EE street cred.  Consider whether or not you want to make a possibly permanent move away from working at a firm.

[newLAatty]

I am also working on my MSEE right now (finishing in December) and have a BS in the bio/chem field.  I too worked as a patent atty for 2 year before going back to school.  Has anyone else also experienced this "EE-outsider" treatment that NISMOGT mentioned?  Is there a preference for a BSEE over an MSEE when the BS of that person is not in EE? 

[newLAatty]

Anyone...?