The Intellectual Property Forum

I know there are many other threads similar to this one, but the responses have been so great I figured I'd give it a shot. Please give any advise possible on whether you would adivse a career as a patent attorney.

Here is my background:

Right now I am a 24 year old with a unique undergrad degree called "Management and Engineering for Manufacturing". It is essentially a joint degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business Management with a special focus on operations (degree from both school). This is my third year out of school working in a rotational program for a medical manufacturer to gain a variety of experience in the engineering world. I spent a year doing mechaincal design, a year doing industrial engineering, and a year doing project engineering management. I make ~60k. I'm at a point where I don't find my job fulfilling and have discovered working in engineering is much different then anticpicated. I'm exploring alternatives.

I am deciding whether I should take the LSATs in the October and apply to Law School in the fall. My questions are as follows:

1) Assuming I get into to a top 25 school, is the cost / lost cost of not working worth it? What are starting salaries?

2) What is the job market like for a Patent Attorney. I have friends in law school who are having trouble finding jobs but keep on stressing patent law is much different and the career is very much in demand. My pet peeve is collecting all these student loans and then falling back on my engineering degree.

3) Will my unique undergrad degree hurt me, or will it help that it is a engineering/business hyrbrid?

4) How will my work experience benefit me? Its diverse but not specialized. Is it a negative or plus to work a couple of years before going to law school? Will I be behind those going straight from undergrad?

Any help would be great. I don't have any resources to ask, so I thought I'd give this a shot.