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[ramjee.tanguturi]

I am thinking about pursuing a career in IP Law and Patents. There is a current job opening in my organization for the role of a Patent Analyst, with the scope to become a Patent Agent at a later point of tim (by passing the USPTO Bar Exam). I am computer science graduate and have been working for the past 10 years mostly as a developer and Program Manager.

Can some one tell me - if taking up this job as a Patent Analyst now (and later becoming an Agent) would be a wise thing now? Would the growth in this field be comparable to the growth in say Software Product Development. What can I become say after 5 years of working in IP & Patents field?

Any inputs would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Ram

[ramjee.tanguturi]

By the way this would-be position is in the US

[lytchch]

 

[zrimkunas]

Ram,

It sounds like this could be a good opportunity to scope out the field and see if you like it. 

Whether or not it is a wise decision is really something only you will be able to answer as it depends on what you are looking to get out of the career change.  If you decide that you like the field and become an agent there are a number of routes that you could take.  You might be able to stay in house at your company and work as an agent there.  You could move to a law firm and work as an agent there (e.g., a technology specialist).  Another natural progression would be to go to law school and become a patent attorney.

I come from a similar background and am currently a technology specialist.  I think that you need to first determine whether or not you will enjoy reading and writing patents as a full time job.  The idea of doing it and the practice of doing it are two very different things.

Regards,
Z

[khazzah]

I am computer science graduate and have been working for the past 10 years mostly as a developer and Program Manager. ... What can I become say after 5 years of working in IP & Patents field?

With a technical degree but no law school, you can become a patent agent. Add

There really isn't any progression from one job "rank" to another. That is, you'll still be a patent agent after 10 years. If you had a law degree too, you'd still be a patent attorney after 10 years. You gain new skills along the way, and your pay may go up because of that. But it's not like you start as a programmer, then a project manager, then a mid level manager, then a top level manager, then CIO.

Would the growth in this field be comparable to the growth in say Software Product Development.

If by "growth in the field" you mean "how does demand for patent agents in the next 5 years compare with demand for software developers" I have no idea.

IMHO, this forum is most useful in finding out what it is that patent professionals do on a daily basis. There must be other ways to do online research about salaries and demand for particular jobs.