Sam Korte, an attorney from Garmin, and Elizabeth Tassi, from Stinson Morrison Hecker, took time out of their busy schedules recently to meet with the Intellectual Property Law Students Association to discuss how to land a job in the IP field.
Both attorneys agreed on one major point: Get involved in order to build a network and strengthen your resume. Take advantage of your first year by participating in groups, clinics and competitions. With limited experience, this is the best thing you can do to create opportunities for yourself in the future.
Korte also recommended conducting background research before any interview. This can be as simple as checking out the Web site of the business or firm prior to a meeting. When researching, Korte said, look for professional bios and take note of anything you believe will help you to connect with the interviewer or communicate your genuine interest in the company. Also, keep up-to-date on current cases, especially those that will impact the firms or businesses with which you are interviewing.
One student asked about the best way to approach IP law if you don’t have a science background. Tassi recommended finding a specialty, or niche, tailored to your experience and educational background. For example, a student with an undergraduate degree in journalism and similar field experience can offer valuable insight into copyright law. In other words, consider using your unique experience to your advantage.
We would like to thank all of those who joined us, and we hope to see you again at our next panel.
Natalie Schumann, 1L