I graduated in 2014 with my degree in aerospace engineering. I have worked the last 2 years at NASA in Houston. It is pretty interesting but I am worried about being laid off in a few years when the ISS program ends and frankly the salary isn’t amazing.
I have had an interest in patent law for awhile but no matter where I look most jobs require some sort of Electrical engineering or computer science. Now I have done quite a bit of programing and took several EE classes. I know my way around schematics, code, plumbing schematics, circuit diagrams etc. I do not want to risk going to law school only to not be able to find a job. Granted there are online computer science programs and I could conceivably get a degree in computer science either before or after law school if needed. I live very close to the University of Houston which has a decent IP program and I could do it part time. I read the few posts about patent law on here and had a few more questions.
My questions are:
Do I need another degree or would teaching myself even more computer science/engineering be okay? There are a few certificates in computer science and engineering from Berkeley that I am looking into as well as full degrees.
Is patent law at a non T-50 or even T-14 school worth the investment? I am pretty much limited to the University of Houston if I decide that I want to go this route. The IP program seems pretty highly regarded though.
What is the current job outlook for a patent lawyer?
What is the job outlook in Texas? My one condition is that I cannot leave Texas.