Turning Points: Changing Your Career from Science to Patent Law

by Dustin T. Holloway

Are you a scientist or engineer looking to make a career change? This book will help you understand what it's like to work in patent law and how you can make the transition.Breaking into the legal profession can be difficult. This is especially true for scientists looking for alternative careers. In this book, Dr. Holloway describes what it's like to work in patent law, explains what skills are required to be successful, and provides step-by-step instructions on how scientists and engineers can launch new careers in intellectual property law. Based on real life experience, this book exposes the inside world of patent law careers by a description of patent law- accounts of typical work days in patent practice- ideas on how to approach future employers- example job interview questions- ideas on how to make your job search successful- hints on how to craft resumes and cover letters- descriptions of what makes a successful patent professional- descriptions of other alternative careers including venture capital, science management, technology transfer, and scientific policy.

Genres: Nonfiction

126 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2012

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick and informative read detailing what a science postgraduate can expect from a change of career into patents law and intellectual property.

It seems slightly pessimistic, and the author admits having only spent two years working in a law firm before realising the career wasn't for him, but it's clear that every experience will be somewhat different, so perhaps that's why. In any case, he succeeds in giving a broad-strokes overview of what a trainee patents attorney (or technical specialist) can expect.

It's very US-centric, and slightly dated - this edition was published in 2012 and as the author mentioned in an addendum, these things can change quickly. Even so, it's a good place to start and gave me a lot of ideas.

I particularly liked the sections on CVs, cover letters and applications. Additionally, the final chapter contains an overview of other careers a scientist might consider if they're thinking about work outside academia. Again, it's focused on the US, but I think it could be useful to most current graduate students and early career researchers.