0L part-timer in DC Forum

[androstan]

If I'm starting PT at GW (accepted) or GULC (hopeful) in the fall and am looking to go more the government route (less pay, less opportunity to make the really big bucks, but more sane hours) what kinds of options and opportunities should I be looking at for this summer and (hopefully) during the school year too?

My current job is in Gaithersburg, I'd like to get something closer to GW/GULC, and something legal. I work as a chemist right now. Planning to take the USPTO exam in late March, feeling pretty confident I'll pass.

[Sup Kid]

Not sure about your job question, but if you want to do IP work, you should be attending GW, not Georgetown. While the overall rankings have GULC ahead, GW has far and away a better IP program. One evidence of proof (though there are many others) is: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... operty-law

[vanwinkle]

Not sure about your job question, but if you want to do IP work, you should be attending GW, not Georgetown. While the overall rankings have GULC ahead, GW has far and away a better IP program. One evidence of proof (though there are many others) is: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... operty-law

On the other hand, you have to consider the fact that the USNWR specialty rankings are essentially worthless.

[androstan]

Not sure about your job question, but if you want to do IP work, you should be attending GW, not Georgetown. While the overall rankings have GULC ahead, GW has far and away a better IP program. One evidence of proof (though there are many others) is: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... operty-law

On the other hand, you have to consider the fact that the USNWR specialty rankings are essentially worthless.

Maybe not utterly worthless, but a drop in the bucket compared to overall.

Straight up, a GULC grad with the same class rank as a GW grad will get picked up by an employer before the GW grad every time (all else equal). Even for IP/patent work.

Is there a good career trajectory for IP/patent/USPTO admitted 0L's outside private law firms? I hear about federal clerkships and "government/federal work" but I don't really know what these terms mean or what they entail.

[androstan]

bump

[theZeigs]

If I'm starting PT at GW (accepted) or GULC (hopeful) in the fall and am looking to go more the government route (less pay, less opportunity to make the really big bucks, but more sane hours) what kinds of options and opportunities should I be looking at for this summer and (hopefully) during the school year too?

My current job is in Gaithersburg, I'd like to get something closer to GW/GULC, and something legal. I work as a chemist right now. Planning to take the USPTO exam in late March, feeling pretty confident I'll pass.

You're a NIST-er? BS, MS, PhD? I was at NIST for a few...Organic Metrology building 227

Have you applied for a job at the USPTO?

[2LLLL]

Why not apply for a job as a patent agent or technical specialist with one of the IP law firms in DC or NoVa? That would give you a firm to put on your resume, and I'm sure that if your work product is solid they will at least consider hiring you as a summer associate...

[androstan]

If I'm starting PT at GW (accepted) or GULC (hopeful) in the fall and am looking to go more the government route (less pay, less opportunity to make the really big bucks, but more sane hours) what kinds of options and opportunities should I be looking at for this summer and (hopefully) during the school year too?

My current job is in Gaithersburg, I'd like to get something closer to GW/GULC, and something legal. I work as a chemist right now. Planning to take the USPTO exam in late March, feeling pretty confident I'll pass.

You're a NIST-er? BS, MS, PhD? I was at NIST for a few...Organic Metrology building 227

Have you applied for a job at the USPTO?

MS you? I'm in building 227 also. However, I'm in the biochemical science division, not analytical. You worked for Lane Sander?

I've applied at the USPTO. I haven't been contacted for an interview, unfortunately. I think getting a job there became a LOT more competitive ITE. Maybe once I pass the patent bar I'll at least get the nod for an interview.

[theZeigs]

If I'm starting PT at GW (accepted) or GULC (hopeful) in the fall and am looking to go more the government route (less pay, less opportunity to make the really big bucks, but more sane hours) what kinds of options and opportunities should I be looking at for this summer and (hopefully) during the school year too?

My current job is in Gaithersburg, I'd like to get something closer to GW/GULC, and something legal. I work as a chemist right now. Planning to take the USPTO exam in late March, feeling pretty confident I'll pass.

You're a NIST-er? BS, MS, PhD? I was at NIST for a few...Organic Metrology building 227

Have you applied for a job at the USPTO?

MS you? I'm in building 227 also. However, I'm in the biochemical science division, not analytical. You worked for Lane Sander?

I am in grad school still, I was there as a temporary researcher for a collaborative project...this was back in 2008. I need to get out of grad school hahaha I worked for Lane but mostly under Michelle Schantz, not sure if you know her...she's awesome.

I just got rejected by the USPTO, I didn't even get past the USAJOBS screening...my resume and packet didn't even get forwarded to the USPTO. The email said that I was qualified but not amongst the most qualified applicants, for the loss.

I think getting a job there became a LOT more competitive ITE. Maybe once I pass the patent bar I'll at least get the nod for an interview.

TITCR. I think I'm going to try to take the patent bar and reapply. I know that patent law is what I want to do, and I know the USPTO would be the right next step before I go to law school. Sounds like you're a bit ahead of me. Any advice on the patent bar, how to prepare?

Do you plan on staying in the DC area? Sorry I don't have more advice about the process. Good luck on getting into GULC!

[androstan]

If I'm starting PT at GW (accepted) or GULC (hopeful) in the fall and am looking to go more the government route (less pay, less opportunity to make the really big bucks, but more sane hours) what kinds of options and opportunities should I be looking at for this summer and (hopefully) during the school year too?

My current job is in Gaithersburg, I'd like to get something closer to GW/GULC, and something legal. I work as a chemist right now. Planning to take the USPTO exam in late March, feeling pretty confident I'll pass.

You're a NIST-er? BS, MS, PhD? I was at NIST for a few...Organic Metrology building 227

Have you applied for a job at the USPTO?

MS you? I'm in building 227 also. However, I'm in the biochemical science division, not analytical. You worked for Lane Sander?

I am in grad school still, I was there as a temporary researcher for a collaborative project...this was back in 2008. I need to get out of grad school hahaha I worked for Lane but mostly under Michelle Schantz, not sure if you know her...she's awesome.

I just got rejected by the USPTO, I didn't even get past the USAJOBS screening...my resume and packet didn't even get forwarded to the USPTO. The email said that I was qualified but not amongst the most qualified applicants, for the loss.

That's weird. I thought everyone considered "qualified" was forwarded on, at which point they screen for the ones they want to interview. What's your BS in, what's your background? PM if you want. Sorry to ask personal questions, but seems really strange. I wouldn't consider myself among "the most qualified applicants". I mean, look at my UGPA, I don't have a PhD, limited WE, etc.

I think getting a job there became a LOT more competitive ITE. Maybe once I pass the patent bar I'll at least get the nod for an interview.

TITCR. I think I'm going to try to take the patent bar and reapply. I know that patent law is what I want to do, and I know the USPTO would be the right next step before I go to law school. Sounds like you're a bit ahead of me. Any advice on the patent bar, how to prepare?

Do you plan on staying in the DC area? Sorry I don't have more advice about the process. Good luck on getting into GULC!

Already got rejected at GULC, which is dissapointing, but I got into GW. Right now the DC area looks the most likely. My wife is interviewing up in Boston for residencies, but I think she likes it way better down here and she really loved the place she already interviewed at down here.

I'm currently going through PLI's Patent Bar Review Course. It seems pretty good, but I'm like halfway through and haven't taken a single practice test so I don't really "know". However, they do condense things from the MPEP very well and they report that completers of the course pass at a rate of 80-90 percent. The general pass rate hovers around 50%, although there's a big standard deviation on that (some years it has been as low as 20%).

You should absolutely do some review course, and my research led me to conclude that PLI's is the best. You can buy used ones on amazon.com for like 500 bucks (new is like 2700). Finally, you need to take it before April. Sometime in April (nobody knows exactly when yet) there will be a major update to the material tested on. I'm basically planning to take it March 31st.