<p>below is a PM to aries, but because her box (I'm assuming its a she btw) is full, I was wondering if she, or anyone else that knows about PL can help me out a bit.</p>
<p>hi,</p>
<p>I've been considering going into patent law (in fact I think that I might because it seems to fit my interests), and I was told through PM that you might be a good person to talk to.</p>
<p>The person told me that you were an engineer at first, but then switched to law, and I was wondering whether you think working as a lawyer or engineer is more "fun" despite some of the perks of being a lawyer. I'm more of a technical guy that also likes to write persuasively, which is why I think PL might be good, but I'm afraid that since I like technology so much that law might be boring since it would require almost no scientific knowledge (I understand btw that I won't be DEVELOPING new stuff but rather writing about it, which works for me, but I still somehow am only afraid that this job will be boring). Thats why I thought you can comment since you've been an engineer and lawyer (from what I hear at least).</p>
<p>Since you are only in high school (please refer to my post answerig your earluer quesion) it's way too soon to be thinking in that vein. You're putting the cart before the horse. First try studying engineering to see whether it's something you can do and like to study enough to put four years of work into getting that degree (unless you get that degree, patent law is going to be out, except for litigation). Then you might (or might not) be able to decide whether you woiuld rather be an engineer or write about engineering inventions (and by the way, there is plenty of science involved in that).</p>
<p>You know, I wondered the same thing. My son has been quite interested in IP law for some time now (we have a family inventor), but also finds that he really likes engineering. He also enjoys his classes in German because they are very small and include all sorts of books, papers and class discussion (auf Deutsch, naturlich). So as time goes on, he actually seems to be more confused about his ultimate direction, rather than less. He gets straight A's in all classes, so it isn't even obvious to him what his outstanding strengths are. :( What can I do to help, if anything?</p>
<p>Question 1: Is he likely to like or do well in law school? Three years of doing no science, taking courses unlike any he's had before, learning and discussing principles of law and their applications, with regular splitting of hairs, in order to become a patent attorney.</p>
<p>Question no. 2: Does he like doing engineering? If the answer is that he hasn't done any engineering work yet or hasn't yet been around engineers to see what they do in real life, perhaps one followup is to look for an internship for next summer where he can do some engineering or drafting.</p>
<p>A fair number of patent attorneys come into the profession via first becoming research scientists or engineers, then switching to IP law after a few (or a fair number) of years. Some switch because they decide long-term career opportunities are limited, some because they become intrigued with patents. But some actual engineering experience never loses its value when one makes that switch.</p>
<p>I would agree with dadofsam that high school is way too soon to make this choice. Also, you might want to keep in mind that there are several areas that can combine law and engineering. For instance, patent litigation relies heavily on technical experts - engineering consultants who are experts in their field with years of experience, but also need strong writing and speaking skills to persuade judges and juries, as well as an understanding of applicable patent laws (I am a paralegal in a large law firm and have worked on several patent cases so I work alongside trial lawyers, patent lawyers and experts every day, and at trials, it is often the expert's testimony that wins these cases, but this can only be done with years of actual experience). </p>
<p>Another option for engineers who are interested in developing/writing patents is to become patent agents, who can appear before the patent and trademark office and prosecute (help get patents/trademarks issued) but do not need a law degree. </p>
<p>The point is that there are many options out there for individuals who are interested in both engineering and law, so start out by following your interests, do internships/co-ops, get some real experience in the engineering field, and see where it leads you...</p>
<p>Thanks for your input scansmom. I really don't know anybody in this field, so any information you can give me is helpful.</p>
<p>To answer dadofsam's questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I think he would do well in anything because he is just that kind of determined person. He is very analytical and detail-oriented and also an excellent writer. He won the best paper/presentation in his section at an engineering conference. His science center job requires regular public speaking and he is really good at that.</p></li>
<li><p>Son did two years of engineering apprenticeship in hs, and currently is doing a 3.5 month full time engineering internship. He has been given all sorts of assignments that he likes (design, testing, drawing, presentation, etc.) and he is learning so much.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So maybe the thing to do might be to get an advanced degree in engineering and then go to law school? It just sort of worries me that as a junior he will need to start thinking about future plans. Originally, he never planned to work for a long time in engineering and wanted patent law, but now that he is enjoying his engineering work, he is not so sure anymore. I'd like to advise him, but I don't know what to say. :confused:</p>
<p>Dear lfk: From one parent to another: Don't be :confused: and above all, don't panic :eek:. Instead, we all need to be :cool:</p>
<p>My son's about to be a senior and is in the throes of trying to work through the options for life after college. The main possibiities are go to grad school, go to work, try living in another country (which might involve either going to school or working, if one or the other can be arranged). I'm not a career counselor, just a father (and incidentally an IP attorney), but I do know at least one thing, and that is that no decision my son or yours will make now will have to be - or is even likely to be - permanent or even somewhat long-lasting. People are constantly starting out in one direction, then switching to another. If my son wants to make a career in his major (or in one of them) he will have to get at least an M.S. if not a Ph. D. But not necessarily right away. In fact, he's tired of going to school and I don't blame him. So perhaps he'll work for a while, to save up some money, to start a real life, to give himself time to decide where he might want to go to grad school, and for what. Or he might tough it out a couple of more years for a Master's and then go to work, and go back for a Ph.D. Or, heck, I don't know what he might do; maybe join the Peace Corps or something (wasn't an option when I graduated, back in the Dark Ages). But I do know he's likely to make changes in life, maybe even abrupt ones, voluntarily if he's lucky, involuntarily if he's like many of us.</p>
<p>So my advice as a (very) amateur career counselor is to help him along the way, asking more questions or making suggestions than giving specific advice (except when he needs some, for instance when he's making incorrect assumptions). If your son is that able, then he'll succeed in whatever thing or things he decides to try. </p>
<p>You're correct of course, dadofsam...I should back off and realize that he will figure it out eventually! Sometimes he really wants to talk about things, and sometimes not at all. I guess just being a willing listener is a good thing to do. Once in a while, I have suggested that he consult his departmental advisor, or the prelaw advisor, or check out the job/internship fair.<br>
I will be chill, I will be chill....:cool:....HAHA! Thanks for the advice!</p>