Hello World!
I am unemployed with more than 15 years of Executive Assistance and I am attempting to start a new career as a Patent Prosecution Secretary. However, i have no experience in Patent Prosecution and I’m having a challenging time finding an employer who will bring me in at Entry Level. Do you know where I can get Patent Docketing training?
Let me know. Thanks.
Filed under: Education, Instructional | Tagged: Add new tag, Docketing Software, Patents, Silicon Valley CA, Trademark Prosecution Secretary, Trademarks
Hi Elizabeth,
Since you have no experience (despite being an admin assistant for so long), that will be your biggest downfall, as this sector is very competitive. Many companies want you to have at least 2-5 years of experience, usually they ask for 5. I’ve been reading the ads on Craigs List.
It would help if you got your paralegal certificate, but that technically isn’t required under the law. But since you will most likely be working in a law firm, they will usually ask that you have some of the following: 1.) Prior experience in a law firm 2.) Paralegal Certificate 3.) Actual experience in patent prosecution or docketing (depending on what you are applying for)
4) Bachelors degree from a 4 year university. Usually they ask for all these things.
There are courses being offered for free at the Sunnyvale library for patenting, you could check that out, as they are offered usually during the daytime during the week. Those are real valuable.
The best way to get in the door is to go back to school and get your paralegal certificate. You could do it here at West Valley or De Anza and be done in a year or less. Without the certificate, it is very difficult to get far. Make sure the school is ABA approved, or else companies won’t take you seriously.
You could also do an internship at a company. I am doing an internship for free, but its experience. Experience counts for a lot in the legal field.
It is challenging to get into this field without prior experience, but it can be done. The most difficult part will be finding a company to give you training. Many companies in the legal field don’t want to be the ones to do any training or take any chances on anyone.
Sorry if the news isn’t happy but I’ve been experiencing this first hand. I am not going into the Intellectual Property sector like you, but I did take an IP class and got the basics down. I do know that the IP sector is very competitive. You have your work cut out for you. But once you get your foot in the door, you get paid very well and there are many IP firms around here.
Good luck with this. You’ll need luck and patience in this economy.