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