Does It Matter What Kind of Degree I Have as a Patent Attorney?

Question:

I am a patent attorney, and I see job listings asking for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science degrees. I have a different degree (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, etc.). Does this mean they will not look at my resume and I should not bother applying?

Answer:

This is probably the most frequent question I see from IP candidates, given that law firms across the board have been hiring almost exclusively for patent work in the EE/CS sectors the past couple years, with life science listings falling far behind in terms of volume and frequency.

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The short answer is: it depends. Firms can ask for or insist on particular degrees for a number of reasons. The most common is that the firm’s clients may want only attorneys with particular degrees working on their patent matters, since the degree acts as a proxy for having the knowledge in that field that will result in a more successful patent application process. Two attorneys may be equally well-versed in electrical technologies, but if one has an EE degree and one does not, from a marketing perspective it makes sense for the firm to hire the one with the EE degree.

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So how do you approach things if you do not have that degree? Some firms and partners will be open to candidates who can project proficiency in those technology areas in other ways. For instance, if a candidate has an Aeronautical Engineering degree, but performed significant coursework in electrical circuits and/or software, then that candidate can highlight that fact in a cover letter and provide transcripts to substantiate their claim.

This approach is typically more successful when the candidate also has work experience in a particular industry, such as being an engineer or programmer at a top technology company, or doing in-house patent work at a top technology company. For many firms and partners, these types of alternative credentials are enough to show that the candidate will be capable of impressing the clients and performing the work at a high level.

In other words, if you do not have the specific degree in question, that should not necessarily preclude you from applying to a particular position, but you or your recruiter will have to do a very good job of highlighting the aspects of your background and experience that prove you have sufficient technical training and familiarity with the technologies and products you will be working on to perform the job as well as a more obviously credentialed candidate.

Your success in this will also depend on who is reviewing the resume and cover letter. A recruiting coordinator with no scientific background might simply pass on any resume that does not have the degree his or her partners instructed to screen for, whereas a hiring partner reviewing the resume may understand the similarity of a particular degree relative to what they are looking for. Thus, if at all possible, you should try to ensure that your materials get in front of someone with a technical background. A good recruiter will be able to help you do this if they have a relationship with a particular firm.

All of that being said, this is not a magic bullet, but it will increase your opportunities for success in a lateral patent search if you do not have the current degree en vogue.

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