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[bigbluegator]

Hi guys,
I've been reading the forum for a while but I have not posted much.  
I have a few questions regarding looking for tech spec positions in the Boston area.

I graduated with a PhD in Biochem/Mol. Biol. in Dec. 2005 from an interdisciplinary biomedical sciences program and I am currently doing a post-doc in Boston.  I have 8 publications from grad school and my current post doc 3 of which are first author.  I have been sending my resume around to all of the firms I could find in Boston with IP practices but so far have only received rejection letters back (not even interviews) just straight up denials.

This is a little discouraging but I am not giving up.  I've been studying for the patent bar and will take it in the next month (I think I am almost ready now).

I guess my questions would be:  will it get better once I pass the patent bar?  Should I take the LSAT and start applying for law schools while looking for tech spec positions?  Any suggestions on what to emphasize on my resume?  I have won three fellowships and I thought I would have an easier time finding a job than I am having.  I guess that I should also mention that I am not able to relocate because of my fiance (she's a surgery resident)

I guess this goes to show you that the real world sucks .

TIA for any advice or suggestions.

[Isaac]

I guess that I should also mention that I am not able to relocate because of my fiance (she's a surgery resident)

While you may be stuck in Boston for awhile, you might ask your fiance how she feels about the Research Triangle Park area in North Carolina.   Seems to have a growing biotech IP segment.  There are also three law schools in easy commuting distance.

I don't know how much the registration number will help, but given that you need one anyway, you've got to give it a try.   Also you might want to try looking at non law firm postions where scientist like yourself might be working.

[bigbluegator]

Isaac,

Thank you for your response.  Do you think that taking the LSAT and getting a high score in conjunction with passing the patent bar would make law schools more inclined to hire me as a tech spec while I go to law school part time?

My goal is to become a lawyer, but there is no way I can afford law school right now while living here and I don't want to wait 4 years until my fiance finishes residency before attending.

-BBG

[Isaac]

Isaac,

Thank you for your response.  Do you think that taking the LSAT and getting a high score in conjunction with passing the patent bar would make law schools more inclined to hire me as a tech spec while I go to law school part time?

I think you meant "law firms more inclined to hire"

If you add to that list of accomplishment "and getting accepted into a fine law school" I definitely think you'd definitely improve your chances of getting a firm interested.   Just getting the high LSAT *might* help.   If I were a PhD holder in your circumstances, I think I'd give your plan a shot.

[bigbluegator]

I did mean law firms.  Thanks for the correction and advice.

[forest]

Isaac's right. Pass the patent bar asap. You might as well sign up for the June LSAT as well, if you think you have ample time to prepare between now and then. Obviously it's too late in the LS application cycle now to get into schools for Fall 2007; however if you are PTO registered and have a good LSAT score, then firms will definitely begin looking your way more. When you apply to these firms, do you send your stuff directly to the recruiting contacts? You might be better off contacting partners directly, especially once you've accomplished the above (pass patent bar, excel on LSAT). When you do  so, explicity tell them your LSAT score and your plans to begin law school in '08. Tell them you want to work for them while going to school at night. If you do end up getting a tech spec job, they may even pay for it....


At least your S.O. is a surgery resident. She'll be making big bucks more soon than not  

[bigbluegator]

Forest,

My fiance will be making money eventually. Unfortunately, you make jack sheet as a surgical resident and they work you to the bone.  90+ hour work weeks.

I'll take your advice and sign up for the LSAT soon.  I should have some time to prepare.

Any suggestions on what to use for LSAT preparation?  Man, I'm studying more now than when I was an undergrad  

[forest]

Forest,

My fiance will be making money eventually. Unfortunately, you make jack sheet as a surgical resident and they work you to the bone.  90+ hour work weeks.

I'll take your advice and sign up for the LSAT soon.  I should have some time to prepare.

Any suggestions on what to use for LSAT preparation?  Man, I'm studying more now than when I was an undergrad  

yeah, I know she'll be working like a slave before getting the big bucks. I was just teasing....

There are plenty of options in terms of LSAT preparation.

Personally, I just bought a couple books (Princeton Review and LSAT for Dummies) and a bunch of old tests from LSAC. The review books were really only useful in that they give you an idea of what you're getting into, as well as some tips on problem solving, etc. One of them would have sufficed.

The tests from LSAC are particularly useful. You can order them in groups of 10 (for the older tests) and individually by month of administration (for the more recently given tests). Visit their website (LSAC's- just google LSAC) and check it out. You'll  become very familiar with this site and its services throughout the LS application process.

Personally, I didn't put much time into preparation. I had a lot going on at that time and literally began preparing the Monday before the test (which was on Saturday). I spent 3-5 hours each of those nights working through problems and taking practice tests. I did EVERY section timed. Whatever you do, definitely take several fully timed tests before going into the real one.

I was able to score in the 85 %ile, which I was happy with. I was confident that the score I got would get me into the schools I had applied to (and it did).

You'll need to do a self-assessment. Before doing anything or looking at anything, I took a full test, cold. Doing that allowed me to see what came easy for me and what didn't. I then focused on the latter.

If you want to stay in Boston and attend Harvard, then definitely put in more time than I did. For other Boston schools.... who knows- there is a huge range there. I think your experiences as a scientist will allow you to do fine. I do so much reading, writing, and analyzing as is, and that's the LSAT in a nutshell- reading and analyzing data given.

Good luck....