A convicing PS for Fordham? Please offer your judgement.
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 5:15 pm
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND BEYOND
During the past decade, I have overcome incredible challenges and experienced exciting transformations that led me to the determination of becoming a patent attorney. In brief, I have transformed from a Chinese student arriving here with only two suitcases to a patent agent counseling multinational corporations about their patent portfolios. While once a foreigner without a clue about the rules and norms of this society, I am now a permanent resident actively engaging in contemporary political, social, and legal issues and desiring to learn more about U.S. law in the context of such broad issues.
Academically, I have earned three degrees in three engineering majors. The journey to obtain my Ph.D. degree was especially challenging. Nine years ago, I came to the U.S., right after receiving my Master degree in China, to study microelectromechanical systems and nanotechnology, two cutting-edge technologies that were not available in China at that time. It was a bold and daring move on my part because when I stepped onto the airplane to the United States, my only perception of American society was that depicted by Hollywood and the NBA. The daunting cultural and language barriers embarrassed me at almost every public event that I attended during the first year. Regardless, I persevered and pushed myself to my limit to engage with academic communities and student groups so that I could transform myself with adapted cultural and social skills. At this same time, I successfully overcame academic barriers associated with a new language, a new major, and a new academic environment by dedicating an exceptional amount of time in the lab for studying and conducting research. Eventually, I not only obtained my Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, but also published four articles in prestigious journals in related fields.
Professionally, I have started a legal career as a Scientific Advisor conducting patent prosecution in a prominent law firm located in New York City. The career of practicing intellectual property law firstly interested me when I worked with a patent attorney to secure a U.S. Patent protecting my idea about increasing the response speed of electroactive polymers. Intrigued by the knowledge, skill, and on-going learning process exhibited by that attorney to handle coupled legal and technical intricacies, I made up my mind to pursue a legal career in intellectual property after earning my Ph.D. Since joining the firm of my current employer, I have impressed my colleagues by showing great initiatives, intelligence, integrity, and an absolute commitment to delivering the highest quality of service to the firm’s clients. Additionally, working at the firm has affirmed and increased my initial interest in intellectual property law as well as my desire to study law and become a patent attorney.
My interests to study law reach beyond becoming a patent attorney. Throughout all the years that I have pursued my ambitions in the U.S., the general pubic has warmly accepted me and rewarded me generously. Whenever I faced important moments in my life such as earning my degree and starting my career, people judged my requests and applications solely based on my experiences, achievements, and character, rather than my skin color, nationality, or other prejudices. During my years in the U.S., I have constantly wondered, “What makes people here treat me with such tolerance,” a question that I hoped to already have an answer before leaving China. Seeking to answer this unresolved question and having a deep appreciation to this society in my heart, I decided to study law to gain a greater understanding of the fundamental value system driving this great society. In my evaluation, the law beyond intellectual property is a significant force in preserving, promoting, and advancing the essence of the social order here.
During the past decade, I have overcome incredible challenges and experienced exciting transformations that led me to the determination of becoming a patent attorney. In brief, I have transformed from a Chinese student arriving here with only two suitcases to a patent agent counseling multinational corporations about their patent portfolios. While once a foreigner without a clue about the rules and norms of this society, I am now a permanent resident actively engaging in contemporary political, social, and legal issues and desiring to learn more about U.S. law in the context of such broad issues.
Academically, I have earned three degrees in three engineering majors. The journey to obtain my Ph.D. degree was especially challenging. Nine years ago, I came to the U.S., right after receiving my Master degree in China, to study microelectromechanical systems and nanotechnology, two cutting-edge technologies that were not available in China at that time. It was a bold and daring move on my part because when I stepped onto the airplane to the United States, my only perception of American society was that depicted by Hollywood and the NBA. The daunting cultural and language barriers embarrassed me at almost every public event that I attended during the first year. Regardless, I persevered and pushed myself to my limit to engage with academic communities and student groups so that I could transform myself with adapted cultural and social skills. At this same time, I successfully overcame academic barriers associated with a new language, a new major, and a new academic environment by dedicating an exceptional amount of time in the lab for studying and conducting research. Eventually, I not only obtained my Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, but also published four articles in prestigious journals in related fields.
Professionally, I have started a legal career as a Scientific Advisor conducting patent prosecution in a prominent law firm located in New York City. The career of practicing intellectual property law firstly interested me when I worked with a patent attorney to secure a U.S. Patent protecting my idea about increasing the response speed of electroactive polymers. Intrigued by the knowledge, skill, and on-going learning process exhibited by that attorney to handle coupled legal and technical intricacies, I made up my mind to pursue a legal career in intellectual property after earning my Ph.D. Since joining the firm of my current employer, I have impressed my colleagues by showing great initiatives, intelligence, integrity, and an absolute commitment to delivering the highest quality of service to the firm’s clients. Additionally, working at the firm has affirmed and increased my initial interest in intellectual property law as well as my desire to study law and become a patent attorney.
My interests to study law reach beyond becoming a patent attorney. Throughout all the years that I have pursued my ambitions in the U.S., the general pubic has warmly accepted me and rewarded me generously. Whenever I faced important moments in my life such as earning my degree and starting my career, people judged my requests and applications solely based on my experiences, achievements, and character, rather than my skin color, nationality, or other prejudices. During my years in the U.S., I have constantly wondered, “What makes people here treat me with such tolerance,” a question that I hoped to already have an answer before leaving China. Seeking to answer this unresolved question and having a deep appreciation to this society in my heart, I decided to study law to gain a greater understanding of the fundamental value system driving this great society. In my evaluation, the law beyond intellectual property is a significant force in preserving, promoting, and advancing the essence of the social order here.