Patents > Becoming a Patent Agent/Lawyer

BioEngineering + Economics grad coming to grips with reality

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uphillBattle:
Hello everyone,

I'm a recent grad from the top public university with a BioEngineering degree and Economics degree; 3.37 UG GPA (research exp, leadership exp, etc.). I'll be starting work soon in a large consulting firm on their technology/business side.

Unfortunately I realized pretty late that I wanted to be a lawyer so I wasn't able to put the necessary focus into my classes earlier in college. I now see myself working as an IP lawyer. I know this is a broad thing to say but I'll list my more specific questions below.

1. Based upon what I've read here so far, it seems as if anyone with a Bio/BioE background will have a tough time in industry unless they are a PhD candidate. Would my work experience that I will get as a software engineer/analyst at the consulting firm give me an advantage even if I still want to work in the Biotech IP area?

2. Would a masters in Engineering Management with an emphasis in either Bioengineering or Finance be helpful for a job later? I know that Masters degrees seem not to carry as much weight and will only be considered against me if I do poorly in the program. I feel rather bare with just my two bachelor degrees though and M.E.M from a top school is something that interests me.

3. What are the job security/prospects like working at a large firm in Biotech (are there any)? I also see that most people working in this area are mainly working based upon contract since companies prefer that rather than having an in-house attorney.


I know that some of this information might be gleaned from scouring pages of threads. I read through as many as I could and if people notice that some of my questions have been answered already, please direct me to them. Appreciate the help!

UVAgal4:
I think a Masters in Engineering Management is an absolute waste of time. You aren't planning on managing an engineering group, so why do it?
Maybe with a Master's in Bio. Eng, but even still it seems like a PhD is preferred.

blakesq:
Its a tough market, but if you are going to be actually doing work as a software engineer for a few years, that may be your saving grace.  If you are going to be doing the work in the same technology area that the big companies are getting patents in right now, you MAY be ok.  Good luck!

bleedingpen:
1.  If any, only slightly.

2.  No, waste of time.

3.  meh

uphillBattle:

--- Quote from: UVAgal4 on 02-27-12 at 01:43 am ---I think a Masters in Engineering Management is an absolute waste of time. You aren't planning on managing an engineering group, so why do it?
Maybe with a Master's in Bio. Eng, but even still it seems like a PhD is preferred.


--- End quote ---

That's a bummer. I was hoping that I could use a Masters degree GPA in place of my undergraduate degree GPA since I know that I'll be doing much better.

Is there any way to strengthen my application in that case for the field later? What are activities, skills I should be focusing time on right now to have a better chance at getting an IP job either in High Tech or Biotech down the road?

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