| An article at CNN lists academic research scientists as | | | | average salary earned by recent college graduates |
| one of the top three "Big jobs that pay badly". The | | | | with only a bachelor's degree. Once again, let me |
| article states that this career track has "one of the | | | | remind you of the average salary of a Patent Agent |
| most disproportionate ratios of training to pay".I | | | | -- $74,900 a year.And it's not all about money. A |
| believe it.As a one-time research scientist myself, I | | | | career as a Patent Agent has its rewards. It's a highly |
| experienced the low pay first-hand. In all honesty, it | | | | respectable and honorable career where you may |
| was barely enough to support my modest living | | | | put your knowledge to the test and solve fascinating |
| needs, let alone a family. I found myself in the | | | | technical and legal problems. It is your opportunity to |
| uncomfortable position of actually making less than a | | | | really use that science degree (or the degrees) you |
| full-time waitress. This was with my Master's degree | | | | worked so hard to get and earn the prestige you so |
| in Molecular Biology working at a prestigious academic | | | | deserve.You will be right on the cutting edge of |
| institute.And as much as I'd like to say it gets better | | | | research and development, quite possibly even closer |
| with more education, I can't. Unfortunately, the salary | | | | to it than you are today tucked away running |
| and job expectations only seem to only worsen with | | | | experiments in the laboratory. You will be positioned |
| the degree level. If you're a postdoc, you know | | | | to learn about new and exciting discoveries before |
| exactly what I mean.Decades ago, the postdoctoral | | | | anyone else.In addition to the prestige offered by a |
| position was merely a "stepping stone" on the road | | | | career in patent law, there is virtually unlimited |
| to something bigger and better. But today, many | | | | potential. Patent law is one of the few legal |
| postdocs are trapped in their temporary positions. | | | | specialties that is actually growing. And since many |
| Some spend as long as a decade, or more, just biding | | | | biotech innovations truly do advance society, you will |
| their time, searching for their "big-break" into the | | | | have the opportunity to do something positive for |
| small pool of permanent Ph.D. positions.Even those | | | | mankind (which is probably why you became a |
| that make it are forced to go where the money is, | | | | scientist in the first place).And you may always |
| which might not be where their ideas and dreams | | | | choose to get a law degree after you gain |
| would take them.I can imagine if you're in this | | | | experience as a Patent Agent. As you might guess, |
| position, you're probably wondering why I'm bringing | | | | you can expect a higher pay and even more |
| this up. To rub in how incredibly underpaid you are? | | | | challenges as a Patent Attorney (in fact, the average |
| No. Instead, I want to let you in on a little secret.It's | | | | pay for a Patent Attorney is $100,000 with some |
| a shortcut actually.You see, my story changed when | | | | partners earning well over $200,000 a year).So with |
| I found out that as a scientist, I qualified to begin a | | | | all the benefits of a career in patent law, why don't |
| career in patent law. All I needed to gain status as a | | | | more scientists opt for this opportunity? Especially |
| registered Patent Agent was pass an exam | | | | when all that stands between them and this career is |
| conducted by the United States Patent and | | | | an exam? Well the truth is, many just don't know |
| Trademark Office. Upon passing this exam, I would | | | | the opportunity exists. My goal is to change that.As |
| be legally eligible to write and prosecute patents in | | | | you can see, passing the Patent Bar exam can open |
| the U.S.Chances are you qualify to take this exam | | | | an entirely new career door for you. It can pave the |
| and become a Patent Agent too.A licensed Patent | | | | way to a higher salary and a highly rewarding career. |
| Agent (with no law degree) makes an average | | | | So if you're interested in a career change of this |
| expected salary of $74,900 a year (as reported by in | | | | sort, please seek out more information today. As |
| 2005). Contrast this with the $45,000 average salary | | | | you know, shortcuts don't always last forever, |
| of a Research Associate in the field of Biotechnology. | | | | especially when the word gets out.Copyright © |
| That's almost $30,000 more in a single year.The | | | | 2005 Lisa ParmleyFor more information on the Patent |
| salary for a Ph.D. in a postdoc position is a mere | | | | Bar Exam and a career in patent law, please visit |
| $38,000. And the average number of hours a | | | | Patent Bar Exam News. Download the free report |
| postdoc works in a typical week is 51. If you do the | | | | and discover how you can land an exclusive career in |
| math, it becomes apparent that a postdoc's hourly | | | | patent law. |
| wage is just under $15/hour. This is less than the | | | | |