“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.