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[2Btabby]

Unforunately, I didn't know I wanted to pursue a career in law until I was halfway through college. Needless to say I recieved a BSME instead of a BSEE.

It is my understanding that if you either went to a good engineering school OR went to a good law school, a EE major has great oppurtunies abound.  Is the job market even remotely similar for a ME?  I understand its not as hot of a market, but is an ME major with a good law school/good law school grads still competitive?

In the USPTO, I have heard that most lawyers that we deal with are not very "skilled in the art".  This leads me to believe that they are better lawyers than they are engineers (a good ME attorney could argue a EE case well).  Is there truth to this?  

Lastly:  Is there any way to make me more marketable by "learning" more EE material.  Could I do self-study?  Reread and familiarize myself with my two thick circuits books?  Rotate the "M" on my title 90 degrees counterclock wise?  

Thanks

[bbalcrzy23]

bump

[MYK]

I take it that you have the same question(s)?

Two years ago, all the MEs graduating from my law school found jobs -- everyone found jobs.  This year, only about 30% of us have jobs lined up, and none of the patent types I know (myself included) have.

[AnotherCog]

The only MEs I know that have found jobs in the past two years have had engineering/law degrees from T12 schools.  YMMV

[bbalcrzy23]

What do you guys thinks of a Masters of Engineering degree with a EE specialty.  NC State has a distant education (online) program with such a degree. I have been taking a few undergraduate EE classes with the intent to earn a BSEE. However, another member on this forum suggested to check out the NC State online degree program.  Now I'm considering changing my path.  Any thoughts?

[UVAgal4]

Personally, I think anyone that goes right into law after getting their technical degree doesn't have enough real world engineering/science experience to really be an expert in that field. That seems to be what technical consultants are for.
I think you need to be intelligent enough to have a gist of what the invention is, be able to find technical articles/textbooks etc. that explain it in better detail, and then be able to pose intelligent questions to the inventor.

[khazzah]

I think you need to be intelligent enough to have a gist of what the invention is, be able to find technical articles/textbooks etc. that explain it in better detail, and then be able to pose intelligent questions to the inventor.

These are qualities that enable one to be good at drafting and prosecuting patents.

But the set of skills it takes to do the job is often a different question from the qualifications that an employer is looking for. And I think OP is asking "will the Masters of Engineering help me get a job" rather than "will the Masters of Engineering help me do my job".

[Yak]

These are qualities that enable one to be good at drafting and prosecuting patents.
But the set of skills it takes to do the job is often a different question from the qualifications that an employer is looking for. And I think OP is asking "will the Masters of Engineering help me get a job" rather than "will the Masters of Engineering help me do my job".

Exactly, I was and still am in a similar situation.  I only have about a year of real world engineering experience and I did not graduate from a top tier law school.  And even though I've been working on patent prep/pros for three years it is still very difficult to get much interest in my resume.  I have also considered the LLM or NC St. Masters in ENG distance learning route myself to help in job opportunities.  I know I am a hard worker and have the ability to do the job, getting in the door is the hardest part.

[bbalcrzy23]

I have 3 years of experience in designing auxiliary systems for steam turbine power plants. I have a BSME. I want to go to law school and enter the patent field. Since I have always been interested in EE and it's such a hot patent field, I figured I should learn as much as possible about EE before entering law school.  Jumping to any type of masters in EE is difficult (time consuming) for an ME major because there are a number of pre-req's you need to take to even start the graduate classes.

I may not have enough time to complete the BSEE degree; I may fall one or two classes short. I've heard that employers looking for a BSEE will consider my 99% degree worthless.  However, I do already have a BSME. Therefore shouldn't all of these electrical classes just be considered icing on the cake?

Most of the patent attorneys I speak to with a ME degree entered the field a long time ago. I haven't spoke to any entering the field in recent years.

[zrimkunas]

I've heard that employers looking for a BSEE will consider my 99% degree worthless.

I don't think that it is worthless in the context of being able to do the job.  You may be an excellent electrical engineer.  The problem as I see it is that when the partner you're working with introduces you to an EE type inventor, the partner wants to tell them that you have a degree in EE.  As you can probably understand, an inventor with a PhD. in EE won't feel too comfortable having someone with a BSME writing up their invention.  My impression is that credentials serve to make clients feel comfortable.

Furthermore, I wouldn't expect that partners at a firm would want to explain to inventors that you have 93% of an EE degree.     

[bbalcrzy23]

Gotcha, I understand. Thanks for your explanation.

Do you think it's worth postponing law school for a year to get a BSEE? I'm shooting for GWU and BU. If I get into one of those I get the feeling I should start as soon as possible and focus 100% on law school, and just forget about earning more engineering degrees. Perhaps if I don't get into a top 25 school, I should consider delaying for a year and getting a BS or MS in EE.

I'm very hesitant to delay any longer. I assume it's best to act on what I know. I know I want to be a lawyer. I think I want to be a patent lawyer.

Any thoughts?

[bleedingpen]

Gotcha, I understand. Thanks for your explanation.

Do you think it's worth postponing law school for a year to get a BSEE? I'm shooting for GWU and BU. If I get into one of those I get the feeling I should start as soon as possible and focus 100% on law school, and just forget about earning more engineering degrees. Perhaps if I don't get into a top 25 school, I should consider delaying for a year and getting a BS or MS in EE.

I'm very hesitant to delay any longer. I assume it's best to act on what I know. I know I want to be a lawyer. I think I want to be a patent lawyer.

Any thoughts?

Have you taken the LSAT?

[bbalcrzy23]

I have not. I am taking it in October. I am quitting my job and will be studying full time come July. I know it's very difficult at this point to gauge where I can get in, but I'm shooting for GW and BU.  They are good schools, good location, and have very good IP programs. If I can't get into one of them I may consider delaying a year to finish an EE degree, apply for an examiner position, or try to get some patent agent experience (taking patent bar after a couple months after LSAT).

[petethebody]

Can I interest you in a timeshare as well?  JK. 

If I can't talk you out of law school, at least I can offer some advice to make it easier on the pocket book:

1.  Shoot for better schools.  In this economy, they will do nothing for you. 

2.  Go where you get the most money.  You will be the smartest and come out with the least debt.  That will let you do what you love and not force you to work a job you hate for the money.  Especially early in your career, flexibility is a great thing. 

Pete

[matt88]

I completely agree, great forum! I’m glad I stumbled across this website!