Intellectual Property Law

Intellectual Property internship?

I am going to begin to intern at the Office of Intellectual Property of a large research university. I am currently a Ph.D. student in science field. I am not sure what to expect from the internship. It wasn't my first choice to do - I actually tried to get a consulting internship, but got turned down my McKinsey and some other on the last rounds of interviewing. So I have been considering being a patent attorney instead. So, I am not very psyched about it, but the people I interviewed with there were REALLY excited about me. In addition people around me (colleagues, my boss, etc) all say that will be a good opportunity for me - but I feel like they are just implying - it is a great and "perfect" opportunity for someone who couldn't get anything else! So a few questions - what to expect? What will be exciting about it? What careers besides being a patent attorney could lead naturally from this internship? Also, I am concerned I will just be indifferent about the internship... Master J - McKinsey hiring practices - aigh! There were 3 of us in my grad program that applied for the internship and the guy that is known as more the clown, not very hardworking (zero publications), nor very well versed in our subject matter....he got the internship and the two of us didn't. It killed me!!

Public Comments

1. there are other kinds of intellectual property interests besides dealing directly with patents. I'm not sure what your internship is going to be like-- but IP is a an interesting an evolving field. I think that your internship is a real accomplishment and Mckinsey has very strange hiring practices-- I cant believe the people they choose. If you are going to a top school (as I remember you are) you shouldn't let this kind of thing get you down. The university experience will be excellent--just remember to network as hard as you can :)