“Even before starting my PhD I knew that I loved science but did not want to stay in academia. I explored different professions on the fringes of science trying to find something that would make me feel excited and there it was: Intellectual Property.” Monika, who initially thought she would want to be a patent attorney, has instead ended up working in technology transfer and IP commercialisation. She explains what she loves about her role and why she has never regretted the switch.
Ashley is an IP analyst and data scientist. He shares his career story from working in IP as a patent analyst to studying for a Masters degree in Data Science and Analytics following 10 years in IP, and more recently starting his own company, Inevus Advanced Analytics Ltd.
“I fell into the profession purely by chance.” – Julia Tribe tells how she rose through the ranks of Private Secretary / Personal Assistant to implementing a new IP records system and ultimately becoming a Senior IP Paralegal.
“I soon realised that not only did I like the people I met… but also that the job would sustain my academic interest in how things worked, not be focused on limited areas of technology, maintain my industry focus, value my English language ability, and still also allow me to have a structured career path”. – Saiful Khan, a patent attorney and partner at Potter Clarkson, tells us what inspired him to pursue this career following a degree in engineering, and his favourite aspects of the job.
“I went to a state school. The idea of becoming a lawyer was not on my radar until well after I left university. There were no lawyers in my family.” – Senior IP judge Lord Justice Birss tells how he chose his career path and what it has meant to him since.
Susi is a patent attorney and partner. She tells us about what inspired her to pursue this career following a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, her work in private practice and becoming a partner at her firm, and the learning curves along the way.
“I have always preferred maths and science to languages, arts and humanities. But after taking physics, chemistry, maths and further maths, I felt I didn’t want to do a straight science or maths degree, and so engineering seemed the obvious choice. I was also completely fascinated by aeroplanes (still am!) so aeronautical engineering called my name!” From there, Emily went on to a successful career in patents: read her story here.
James is an IP solicitor who has both run his own practice and worked within larger law firms. He shares with us his journey into patent law following an undergraduate degree in physics, his experiences as a solicitor in different working environments, and his favourite aspects of the job.
Not many people are dual-qualified as both patent and trade mark attorneys, but Anna is one of them. She tells us what inspired her to pursue a career as a patent attorney following a degree in Mechanical Engineering at university, and then to qualify as a trade mark attorney as well.
“I found out about the patent profession by chance at university. Whilst I enjoyed my biochemistry course, I was inept at the practical side, and preferred the theoretical and problem-solving aspects. I wanted a career where I could use my knowledge and scientific skills, but not work in a laboratory…” Chris Burnett tells us how he got into the patent profession, and why he’s never looked back.
Sarah found out about the trade mark attorney role through Google. She did some work experience, trained and qualified, and is now a senior attorney at AA Thornton. She describes the variety in her day-to-day work and offers advice for anyone wanting a career in trade marks.
John leads the business development (BD) and marketing functions in a patent and trade mark firm. He tells us how he found his way into this role and what he loves about it.