Taking an entry level patent agent / analyst position? Forum

[Anonymous User]

2012 lower T-14 grad, with 3.15 GPA. EE background. Wasn't able to get a full-time patent prosecution attorney position. Currently doing PI work back home. Will take the patent bar later this spring. Thinking about expanding my search to include entry level patent agent jobs just to get prosecution experience. How would future employers (say two years from now) view that? There are arguments for both sides: On one hand I get experience in a somewhat reduced stress environment, but it might be seen as a negative signal or red flag (similar to "contract attorney"?) on the resume. Thoughts?

[DildaMan]

You might try working as a patent examiner a the USPTO. It probably would be a better credential than just a run of the mill patent agent.

[Agent]

Sorry to hear about your situation.

I think an entry level patent agent / analyst position will lead to better options than PI work back home (wherever that is), and I would not compare it to contract attorney work. FWIW (which is not much), I have seen a law grad start out at a patent agent (with a JD) and later become an associate at the same firm.

If you're unsure of how you ended up in this situation and would like to kick around some ideas about networking and the job hunt, please feel free to shoot me a PM. Good luck.

[Agent]

I won't dispute this. But I expect that OP can land a gig as an associate without getting sidetracked by a temporary move to Alexandria. (I assume that all Training Academy activities still occur there.)

You might try working as a patent examiner a the USPTO. It probably would be a better credential than just a run of the mill patent agent.

[Anonymous User]

2012 lower T-14 grad, with 3.15 GPA. EE background. Wasn't able to get a full-time patent prosecution attorney position. Currently doing PI work back home. Will take the patent bar later this spring. Thinking about expanding my search to include entry level patent agent jobs just to get prosecution experience. How would future employers (say two years from now) view that? There are arguments for both sides: On one hand I get experience in a somewhat reduced stress environment, but it might be seen as a negative signal or red flag (similar to "contract attorney"?) on the resume. Thoughts?

Agent is better than PI in your position. Also do take the test as you plan. In this the worse that will happen in the long run is that the longer you stay an agent, the least likely you are to ever litigate, I think. Even that may not be true, since a ton of PTO examiners transition into lit positions after law school.

But I must ask, I know your GPA isn't great, but how did you strike out with an EE background at a T14? I don't mean to make you feel worse, but techies with average grades from lower ranked schools like mine (to say nothing of EEs) generally do OK, and a few get biglaw.