Category Archives: Student blog posts

Call me sometime when you have no class

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cannon_rockA post from our student blogger Nicole

So today I decided to focus solely on our Patent Law and Prosecution class.  For those of you that don’t know, Patent Law and Prosecution is here to help you with an understanding of the legal base of the US patent system.  It will help you become familiar with MPEP sections important for the practice of a patent agent.    I would like to start off by saying all of our teachers are hilarious, and today I’m going to focus on our funny prosecution teacher.

He really knows how to make the class interesting and keep us focused.  My favorite part of his class is when he shows us examples of patent applications related to the topic being discussed.  Some of them are so ridiculous and funny you wouldn’t believe how kooky people are.  Either that or they just have way too much time on their hands and nothing to spend their money on.  Let’s take application 11/161,345 for example (I say application because it was never patented, only published).  First off the title is Godly Powers.  Yes you read that right.  Someone actually tried to get a patent for godly powers, but beware if you’re a magician because he doesn’t like you!  This patent is definitely worth reading so I would read it if I were you!  Another patent we looked at was patent 3,963,275 Method of Breaking Free-Standing Rock Boulders.  The title doesn’t seem too bad until you see the picture!  A canon? Who uses canons to break rocks?  The patent was from 1976, but I’m pretty sure we stopped using canons in the 1900’s.  There were others as well, but I won’t spoil his class by giving away all the funny patents he likes to show.  You’ll just have to wait and see for yourself!  And by that I mean come here and become part of the Notre Dame Patent Law family!

Another thing that’s great about his class is when we do patent bar questions from old patent bar exams.  He wants us to be ready for the real exam, and what’s even better is he makes you real nervous during class because you don’t know if he’s going to call on you or not.  But don’t freak out too bad if he does, because he will help you get through the question or you can phone a friend for help!  I find these questions very helpful and hopefully you will too.  There are a bunch of little tips he tells us that will help with the exam so definitely take note of them!

P.S. The title is dedicated to my dad because it’s his favorite quote!

Cannonballlllll!

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A post from our student blogger Josh

I’ve wanted to do a number of things with my life at various points (racecar driver, musician, astronaut, brewer, the eclectic list of childhood/teenage dreams goes on). Had you asked me a year ago if I was going to study patent law at Notre Dame after college, I’d have probably given you a sideways glance. That being said, I’m here now, and I have to say there’s a certain appeal to doing a single year of study at a new institution, surrounded by new people and looking at life from a different perspective. Alright, it’s not as exciting as piloting a formula 1 car or going to space, but bear with me, because attending this program on this campus has thus far been one of the better decisions I’ve ever made. I’m not entirely sure where to begin, as the others have already enlightened you as to what boot camp and the first week of classes were like. But, since everyone experiences these things uniquely, I’ll elaborate on my time thus far.

Upon exiting my bus into town, I was greeted by my new roommate Evan, who escorted me and my bags to the swimming pool I would live in for the next nine months. No, you didn’t misread that; my apartment is a converted swimming pool, which until recently was a relatively popular concert venue in South Bend (feel free to Google it). After unpacking my bag and setting up the mattress I ordered, I set about exploring South Bend, and eventually stumbled on Notre Dame. The campus is truly as breathtaking as others have articulated (aside from seeing Rudy, I’d had no prior experience with this place whatsoever). I can assure you that being able to call such a beautiful place my temporary home is a spectacular feeling; though I will readily admit that I initially found the size of campus quite intimidating. This was quickly remedied when I realized that Google Maps was capable of directing me to each of my class buildings, and within a week I began to feel like I truly knew my way around.

When it comes to classes (and I may get in some degree of trouble for saying this), I haven’t found them to be a significant step up in difficulty from of those of my undergraduate career in physics. Truthfully, the most difficult components of this program for me to adjust to thus far have been the emphasis on precision writing, coupled with developing the time management skills necessary to juggle five classes and a Capstone project. All of this while trying to adjust to a new location can be a bit of a challenge, but I assure you it’s nothing that anyone reading this post couldn’t handle. The professors are professionally experienced and talented when it comes to making once foreign material seem approachable and second nature. They inspire confidence in our ability to succeed, yet their wealth of knowledge and high expectations also induce a sobering humbleness. One gets the sense that each of them has so much to offer his or her students that the real challenge here isn’t being able to complete the program; it’s getting as much from it as it has to offer.

If you’re anything like me, then you’ve already read the student profiles on this page. When I first did, I thought “I don’t have a PhD, I haven’t written a paper on Alpha-synuclein Elevation Blah Blah Blah, I didn’t work for a law firm, I don’t have a J.D., how will I ever succeed here?” Yet, I feel at home in this program. I get to sit alongside people who are as educated as I am or more so, while feeling like a peer and learning from the best. I have class daily with civil engineers, molecular biologists, neuroscientists and chemists; yet I feel right at home, learning with them and from them. I’ve never been in a situation where I could realize the value of having so many scientists of different disciplines learning foreign subject matter together, but the experience thus far has been unique and unforgettable. If I had a bottom line for this post, it would be to say that this program is completely doable and worthwhile, at least from the perspective of a new student. I certainly never expected that I’d attend Notre Dame, live in a swimming pool, or have a future in Patent Law; but what would be the point in living if everything happened as I once predicted?

Touchdown!

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A post from student blogger Brittany

touchdownI finally touchdown at Notre Dame and I am absolutely in love with the campus. It is breathtaking and despite living in Florida for the last couple of years I am excited about the first snowfall although from speaking to current students and faculty that feeling will be short-lived due to unforgiving temps.

Our first week consisted of a getting familiar with fellow cohort members. I must say we all have very diverse educational backgrounds but have already found commonalities and I feel this will be a great group. We all showed up ON TIME for our headshot which Karen said was a first so I think we’re off to a record setting start. We attended a South Bend Cubs game and of course we had to let everyone know that the 2015 MSPL cohort was in the house. Two classmates decided to partake in some half time shenanigans by racing on the field…on bouncy balls. It’s safe to say that neither of them will be living that down.

Outside of our “getting to know you” activities we were also thrust into the world of patent law by an outstanding presenter. Because of his 20+ years in the field he was so insightful, thorough and most of all honest about life as a patent agent. I’m not going to lie, it was a lot of material to take in especially for someone that had just completed her dissertation less than a month prior. I had to get right back into student mode, feverishly taking notes making sure not to miss a thing. The week ended with a mock Patent Bar Exam. Let’s just say that I walked home feeling completely defeated questioning what the heck I had gotten myself into. That practice test made me quickly realize that if I thought these 9 months would be a walk in the park compared to 5 years of research that I was DEAD WRONG.

Meeting all the professors who were a combination of patent agents and attorneys was quite interesting. I was pleased that we were learning from people that had YEARS of hands-on experience in the field. It was already refreshing that Karen was so down to earth and witty, but each of our professors have comical personalities as well.

All in all, being at Notre Dame these last two weeks have subsided the apprehension I had about making a career transition and made me realize how many doors this program could open for me. Being in the program is already getting me out of my comfort zone and I look forward to sharing my ups and downs throughout the next 9 months.

First impressions

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A post from our student blogger Nicole

When I wrote my first blog I thought that New Jersey was far from Notre Dame, but when it came to meeting everyone in the program I realized I was completely wrong.  It turns out the 12 hours of driving I struggled with didn’t compare to the 24 plus hours of driving from California or Washington.  I’m also shocked at the different variety of people from mostly coastal states like Maine, Florida, Washington, and California.  This makes it more interesting to learn about everyone especially what their backgrounds were, for example, if they have their PhD or just graduated in May, and what their major was.  There’s quite a variety in this program.

The first week of “classes” aka bootcamp was great.  Yes bootcamp does sound harsh and intense, but it was actually a very informational and fun week!  Art, a retired patent agent, was a great guest speaker and his overview of patent law definitely helped for the first week of classes.  Also, some of the tools Karen showed us, such as, PAIR and the MPEP came in handy for our classes already!  You will hear multiple times that the MPEP is our bible, and so far I believe it!  Aside from learning, there was also some fun.  The South Bend Cubs game we went to was a great bonding experience.  If you ever want to find out if your fellow patent law grads are brave enough to go down onto the field and race with some hopper balls, yes the kind with the handle that’s made for 5 year olds, then a Cubs game is the place to go!  All of us are secretly going to keep those videos we took and use them for blackmail one day if needed.

The first week of actual classes went very well and the teachers are fantastic.  They all have their own sense of humor, which definitely helps you feel comfortable right away.  The classes you take for patent law will be capstone, patent searching, patent law and prosecution, and patent drafting.  I know that all of these classes will be extremely helpful when we become patent agents.  As for the capstone class you take, you will meet a professor on campus that will show you their idea that they want patented.  This will become your capstone project, and you will work on it all year.  You might get something crazy like me and end up working with devices for lab rats!  It’s really fascinating to learn about their ideas and you can sense their passion for their idea when they talk.  You really get to see how brilliant these people are.  By the end of the week I was already feeling like a patent agent.  There was also a new welcome gathering for master’s students that most of us went to at the end of the week.  Graduate students from ESTEEM, ACMS, Global Health, and our program were invited to go.  It was a nice networking experience as well as a fun time.

As for the campus of Notre Dame, it’s huge!  I came from a small campus in New Jersey and walking would get you from one end to the other.  Notre Dame on the other hand, will have you sweating buckets and losing weight by the time you make it to the other side!  Maybe that’s a little drastic, but it sure feels that way.  A bike will help you get everywhere on campus in a significantly shorter time, unless you run into the massive river of people between DeBartolo Hall and O’Shaughnessy Hall.  I was actually surprised to see that many people at once!  So one last thing, you should go to the Compton Ice Rink at least once during your time at Notre Dame.  It’s the building across from the basketball stadium that looks super lonely and separated from the rest of the buildings on campus.  They offer public skating at certain times of the day and there’s a bonus, it’s free for students!  You just have to pay to rent skates which is super cheap; $3 will get you an hour and 20 minutes of enjoyable skating!  So strap on your skates and I’ll see you there!

Introducing Nicole Reilly

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An introductory post from student blogger Nicole

Hello fellow Patent Law students, my name is Nicole Reilly and I’ve come all the way from Rowan University in New Jersey to study this awesome program!  Being a civil engineering student has taught me how to work hard and efficiently during my college career.  Throughout the years I learned a lot, but by the time senior year came I knew something wasn’t right; something was missing.  I realized that I didn’t want to settle as just an engineer, I wanted something different.  I knew I had to find a way to use my engineering abilities but not as an engineer.  Of course this was a huge deal considering I spent four years working towards a specific degree.  I liked the classes and everything, but I wasn’t interested in a typical day of a civil engineer.  So one day I was going through my emails and stumbled upon the MS in Patent Law email from the University of Notre Dame.  I read about it and looked more into it on the MS in Patent Law page on the University’s website.  I realized that this would be perfect for me!  What better way of using my engineering skills in a different field.  It’s actually funny to think about because when I was younger I always wanted to be a lawyer, but I was too young to know which kind or even if I really wanted to do it.  Now I have the opportunity to become a patent agent that combines my childhood dream and my engineering degree.  Not only will I be able to help people with their inventions, I will be able to hear about all kinds of new inventions.

Speaking of new inventions, I’ve always thought of myself as an amateur inventor.  I am constantly thinking of new inventions.  Every idea, every thought I have is written down.  I have a section in the notes on my phone where I write down all the ideas that I think of or that pop into my head.  I want to be able to use my love of inventions towards helping other people fulfill their dreams, turning their inventions into realities and what better way to do that then becoming a Patent Agent!

Introducing Josh Denison

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An introductory post from student blogger Josh

Welcome to our blog for Notre Dame’s M.S. in Patent Law program! Stay tuned throughout this year to catch a glimpse into life as an MSPL student, so that you can learn more about who we are and what we do. My name is Josh Denison, and as I have yet to fully immerse myself in the life of an MSPL candidate, it seems fitting I tell you a little bit about who I am and how I arrived at the decision to pursue a career in patent law.

I grew up a curious child in the small town of Duvall, Washington. Aside from this curiosity, my only other notable trait was an incessant need to communicate. As I got older, my desire to work with new and exciting ideas through oration and writing persisted. I continued to enjoy pursuing knowledge of the natural sciences, and I was fortunate enough to have a teacher who pushed me to enter projects in local and regional science fairs. As a sophomore, I examined what physical properties of various materials affected the sounds of electric guitar pickups which I had made. This was my first experience with both technical writing and my undergraduate institution, Ohio Wesleyan University; I was awarded a scholarship for this work, and my eventual desire to attend a liberal arts university where I could study a variety of topics was fulfilled.

I didn’t initially attend OWU intending to study physical sciences, despite the scholarships that brought me there. Yet, I found myself riveted by the more difficult courses in physics and astronomy. When it came time to select a major, I settled on Astrophysics, as it satiated my childish curiosities and gave me a new lens through which to see my world. I took a position as a student intern at the local observatory, and did over two years of research with an advisor on imaging the surfaces of magnetically active stars. I presented my research at two annual meetings of the American Astronomical Society, and in doing so found my calling of writing and debating about ideas in science.

I applied to Notre Dame after hearing of their MSPL option from an OWU alumnus who completed the program two years ago. While I applied elsewhere, I knew that this program was an education in the very areas of my talents, and thus it rapidly evolved into my top choice. I was thrilled to receive an offer of admission, and as of a few weeks ago, Notre Dame will officially be my new home for next year. I cannot express how excited I am to begin the process of being educated in patent law, and I hope to be able to share my academic experience with you here.

Intoducing Brittany Butler

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An introductory post from student blogger Brittany

As young research scientists we are too often told to follow the yellow brick road to academia and while that may be the end goal for many students, it cannot be said for all, as a growing number of graduates from the biomedical sciences field are venturing out into a variety of career paths. I am one of those graduates. My name is Brittany Butler and I recently received my Doctorate in Neuroscience from the University of Florida after receiving a dual Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, so as you may be able to tell I have a soft spot for science. As a trained microscopist, I enjoyed spending hours on the scope obtaining data for my dissertation which focused on understanding the molecular machinery responsible for altering proteins involved in Parkinson’s disease and drug addiction.

I was fortunate enough to attend a highly competitive Neuroscience program with an amazing mentor and despite my success as a graduate student, my passion did not encompass a career in academia, but I knew that I wanted a career that would incorporate my enthusiasm for the advancement of scientific research. It was during a workshop at the National Society for Neuroscience Conference that I first learned about the high demand for patent agents/lawyers with extensive scientific experience. The presenter, Paul A. Calvo, Ph.D., was genuinely enthused and forthcoming with the pros and cons of being a patent agent, such as high job satisfaction but extensive hours reading. His honesty regarding his choice to transition from what many consider a “traditional” career path to patent law and how his life had changed for the better immediately intrigued me. The idea of being able to work with lawyers and attorneys to patent compounds, antibodies and biotech devices seemed rather impressive. Upon leaving the meeting I felt encouraged; after years of debating between alternative fields I finally had an idea about the career path that suited my passions and goals.

Because I’m quite methodical in nature, I spoke with as many people and read as many articles as I could about a career transition to Patent Law to determine if it was right for me. Luckily for me, I knew VaNae Hamilton, Ph.D., a student in the 2014 entering class of the Masters in Patent Law Program (MSPL) at The University of Notre Dame. She like me was a recent biomedical sciences Ph.D. graduate, so our stories paralleled although she was a few steps ahead.  I knew that The University of Notre Dame was an exceptional academic institution, and because I am originally from the Midwest, the thought of going back was comforting although I had grown accustom to Florida winters. I picked VaNae’s brain with questions about her personal experience with the program and I could tell she was all-around very satisfied. The curriculum is not only well structured and detailed for the success of students with a science or engineering background, but it also provides hands-on experience in the field which was crucial in my decision to apply. Prior to my acceptance I often spoke with the Program Director, Karen Deak, Ph.D., and other members of the administration and I immediately felt welcomed, so when I finally got my acceptance letter I was beyond ecstatic.  Initially it was daunting to think I was going back to school yet again and change isn’t easy, but I knew this was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up, that I couldn’t pass up. I look forward to starting the MSPL program in fall of 2015 and trading out my tickets to the swamp for front row seats to Touchdown Jesus!

Welcome MSPL class of 2016

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ND

A post from our (graduate) student blogger Megan

Wow, this is the twentieth blog I’ve written since August. This is it—the last blog I will ever write for the MSPL. I’m not going to tell you how sad I am because in reality, I’m not. The MSPL has set all of us up for success. I’m excited about the future, proud of my accomplishments, and ready to graduate. And on that note, I want to dispense a little advice to the class of 2016 (read this with a funky beat and some background music kind of like Baz Luhrmann’s “Wear Sunscreen”). So here we go, in no particular order are my top ten tips for success in the MSPL:

  1. Expand your horizons, do more, go the distance, get the total experience.

If you made it past the admissions gatekeeper at ND—whom I imagine is a larger-than-life bouncer that views lowly candidates with disdain and throws them to the side with a bellowing laugh—then you have reason to celebrate. You have the opportunity to come to Notre Dame. Wait, did you hear me? You’re at THE Notre Dame… Yeah, that school. The school that has movies made about it and filmed right on campus (ever seen Rudy? If you haven’t, you must watch it before you set foot on this campus, trust me, you will be inspired). Take advantage of the opportunities here and meet the standard—it’s high—but it is worth it.

  1. Get frustrated.

Yep. You will be. At some point during your time here in the MSPL you are going to hit a massive wall like taking an Olympic high dive into a pool, fifty feet deep, full of solid, hardened concrete. Whether it is a tough elective class or an inability to understand the technology that you have to draft a patent application on, you will find difficulty in this program. But difficulty doesn’t mean that it is impossible; on the contrary, it is possible and you will rise to the occasion. When you do hit your wall, stop, step back, take a breath, then resume the task the next day. It will work.

  1. When opportunity knocks, invite it in for dinner.

My mom wrote this quote in a cookbook she gave me one year. I never got past the cover page and this quote (sorry, I’m not much of a cook). But the quote speaks volumes. Everywhere you turn there is opportunity at this place and in this program. Almost every Friday we had guest lecturers that wanted to help us find jobs. We went to California and DC to network with potential employers. There is career counseling available to the MSPL through the law school and the grad school—we double up in this program—we’re pretty lucky. There is something going on all the time. Do you like sports, go to the football games. You will meet alumni there. Like uncovering a pearl inside a shell, there is some kind of opportunity for you, your career, and your life; just keep unearthing these opportunities— one will lead to the next.

  1. Network like a rock star.

If you know me, you know that this is my specialty. I love to talk to people one-on-one. I love meeting new people, making connections, and telling everyone about what I am passionate about and hearing the same from them. But even if you don’t love doing this, have no fear. ND is your place if you like science, tech, law, or anything cerebral. And you will likely connect with the people that you have class with or simply sit next to at the next football game. Hang on to these connections; they are worth a lot in the long-run.

  1. Listen. Did you hear that?

Ok. So.Yeah. This seems simple, right? Well, it’s really not. See, if you’ve been selected to join the MSPL, chances are you are an expert in some field of science, engineering, or law. You must meet certain criteria to get in to this program so you already know a lot and are likely highly educated. However, wise one, you must remember to consider everyone else’s thoughts, emotions, and opinions. Everyone carries their own monologue. Be respectful. Let others talk. You just might learn even more, grasshopper.

  1. Stop studying. Tour the campus.

Do this for two reasons: first, you’re at Notre Dame—this place is iconic; second, you need to just take a break. There is a lot of work in this program. It is intense, I won’t lie. Do not let this truly awesome place just exist around you, though. Get into it. Go to the Basilica even if you’re not Catholic. They give tours there. It’s pretty. Take a pic of touchdown Jesus when you first arrive in the summer, then one during fall, one with copious amounts of snow, and finally, one when you graduate. Cut and paste all these photos together into one and marvel at how the seasons changed while you were busy building your life. You’ll thank me for that pic on your Instagram profile.

  1. Do it right or don’t bother.

If you come here thinking that you will put forth minimal effort and you will magically receive a sparkling degree from ND, think again. Patent law is tough, it requires determination. It will take time to learn the law and how to apply that to your technology. Unless you plan to put 100% effort in, it is not worth the time or cost.

  1. Be patient.

This flows directly from #7. If you want to do something the right way, you will have to be patient. Be patient with yourself and patient with others. Slow down. Ask questions, think before you speak, help those who need it. They will help you; be grateful for this opportunity. There will be times that you will not be patient, but remember, the tortoise wins the race, eventually.

  1. Make friends, they’re your future co-workers.

If you’ve read the blogs from this past year you know that Catie, Roberto, and I all refer to the MSPL as a “family.” We do this for a reason—we really are like a family. We disagree with one another, we laugh with each other, we spend lots of time together, we fight, we make up; ultimately, even with all our quirks and idiosyncrasies, we are a tight, cohesive group. This is a good thing. If there is one thing I learned from law school, it is to be nice to your classmates. I have contacted them on more than one occasion. Patent law is a small group around the world. At some point, you are going to run into the people that you go to school with here in the future. And most likely, you will work with them, too. Be nice; they know what you went through in the past and will be more willing to be there for you in the future.

  1. Live, it up. Enjoy it.

Soak up the ND experience! You’ve heard that old saying that “it’s only life after all.” Well, that’s right, it’s just life. But if you’re going to live it, you might as well live it like tomorrow is your last day. Good luck MSPL’ers of 2016. Stay in touch, tweet me: @patlawchick or email me: musovsky@nd.edu. We’re a family, remember that.

Wonderful, weird patents

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A (silly) post from our student blogger Megan

Hey, readers (aka mom and dad), let’s geek out and talk about strange patents! So it just occurred to me that there are about a bajillion weirdo patents out there and nobody gives them any love. Well, at least most of the big names in the patent world aren’t dedicating their coveted blog space to the outcasts of IP society. I’m here to change this, of course. Brown & Michaels, a nice intellectual property firm nestled in Ithaca, New York, clearly agrees with me because they have a page complete with links to wacky patents on their website (check it out at http://www.bpmlegal.com/weird.html). So sit back, enjoy a beer, bacon, or whatever you normally do when you read my blog, and let’s explore the goofy side of IP.

Hamster vestIf you’re like me, you’ve always dreamed of taking your pets everywhere with you. I know, you’re probably saying that with the pet friendly shopping centers and stores that not only allow dogs inside, but also hand out treats to them, you can already take your pets with you pretty much everywhere you go. But what about your hamster? And what about having your hamster really close, like on your body close, all the time, everywhere. Well, that’s what patent number 5,901,666 allows you to do. Aptly titled, “Pet Display Clothing,” this patented invention allows you to wear a vest with clear tubing attached to the clothing that your pet hamster, Hercules, can chill out in while you’re grocery shopping or catching a flight to Bemidji. Haven’t seen this for sale in stores yet? Well, neither have I. The world just isn’t fair.

DividerEven better than a hamster vest, here’s a fantastic invention that my parents would have been thrilled to have when their three children were much younger: “Portable Automobile Partition.” Patent number 6,260,903, in all its genius, allows mom and dad to place a divider inside the car between their kids. I can still remember a family vacation to Florida when my obnoxious younger brother woke both my older brother and me up from a double-dose of parent-approved-deep-car-sleep. He did this by discreetly yanking locks of our hair and laughing. The pandemonium that ensued after that was like none other: screaming, crying, kicking… You name it…we were that family. My poor parents, they still haven’t had more than five minutes of peace and quiet since Reagan was elected the first time. But man, I guarantee if this were on the market back in the 80’s my parents would not have thought that this was an odd patent, to the contrary, they would have thought this was an invention worth buying as many shares of stock in as they could have afforded.

deodorizerLast, but certainly not least, I’ll be me, you be you, just play along:  Me: knock knock!  You:  Who’s there? Me: Orange! You: Orange who? Me: Orange you glad I just set up a patent related to flatulence with a knock knock joke?! Insert laughing emoji. Yes, that just happened. Well, I had to break the ice somehow, or should I say I had to break the wind? Ha. Ha. But seriously, US 6313371 B1 is all about cutting the cheese. Ok, ok, I’ll stop but “Flatulence Deodorizer” consists of “a pad to be worn by a user for absorbing gas due to flatulence. The pad is constructed of activated charcoal cloth disposed between a pair of laminations or layers having multiple perforations therein. The method of use of the present invention is also simple. The pad is non-intrusively taped inside briefs or panties.” Now c’mon…we all know a person that we would give this to at some point…just sayin.’

ear protectorI think by now you get my point, patents are cool. Patent law is neat. Patents can save lives. Underlying technology can be incredibly useful, profitable, and practical. But there is another darker, more rogue side to intellectual property: the outsiders, the Slim Shadies and Pony-boy Curtises of patents, if you will. But don’t discount these bad boys, give them a chance. Read them, laugh at them, but whatever you do, don’t turn your back on them because it’s the pariahs like “Animal Ear Protectors” (US 4233942) that make patent law totally awesome, dude.

Victoria***This blog is dedicated to my friend and inspiration, Victoria R. Zellmer, PhD. Candidate at the University of Notre Dame, who is working tirelessly in the Harper Cancer Research Institute to cure cancer. Science and law are cool, yo!  Rock on girl!

Forever Irish

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MSPL at GSVA post from our student blogger Catie

So, here we are at the end of MSPL Boot Camp…

No, wait, I’ve completed the program and I’m graduating in less than a week! I know that it’s cliché, but where did the last 9 months go? Many of us came into the program without really knowing what we were getting ourselves into with this whole ‘patent law’ stuff, but now we’re prepared and excited for the beginning of our careers in a field that we have become engaged in. I came into the program with a weak understanding of what a patent practitioner does and I had a few misconceptions about what their day-to-day lifestyle is like in law firm and in-house settings. Although I still have plenty to learn, I feel like this program has prepared me for whatever tasks and circumstance my first few years will throw at me.

I’ve learned plenty about myself, too. That’s tacky, I know, but I really have. A year ago, as a brand-new college graduate, I enrolled into the MSPL with a vague, narrow-minded vision of what my future would be like. I was really anxious with the ambiguity of everything ahead of me, including the program itself. At this point, I still don’t necessarily know what I’ll be doing a few months from now. Believe it or not, I’m actually not too worried about it. I’ve learned that the potential of work that I could do within patent law is much broader than I expected. I’m not limited to my niche formed by my biology degree. As a matter of fact, this semester, I have been working at an internship where I have had the opportunity to work on technology in mechanical engineering, and it’s been fantastic! I’m really excited about the prospects of working with a broad array of novel technologies in my career. It was not what I had originally anticipated when I thought of myself as a patent agent, but my initial expectations have been exceeded!

I’m also excited about the possibilities of my future. There are many potential opportunities for employment, and I could still opt to further my education, whether that be law school or another higher degree. I still have hopes of someday getting a Master’s degree in genetic counseling, but for now, I want to focus on establishing myself in patent law. If I have learned anything from others in the program (from whom I’ve learned a lot), it’s that there is plenty of time to figure everything out. As one of the babies of the group, I was incredibly lucky to have my friends in the program talk to me about their backgrounds and experiences that have led to the knowledge that they have acquired along their paths. There is a lot of pressure as a soon-to-be or recent graduate to have a job and a rock-solid plan for your future. It’s almost assumed that you’re supposed to have the rest of your life paved out at 22 once you have a college diploma. Everyone in the program showed me that it’s okay to be a highly educated individual who is still trying to carve out a career, or someone who has already worked a professional job and wants to take a different path, or someone who still doesn’t know “what they want to do when they grow up”.

Speaking of the other MSPL’ers, I’m really going to miss the patent law family! We all hit it off from day one, and it led to wonderful friendships over our short year together. As much as I’m excited for the next chapter of my life, I’m sad to be leaving our little circle of friends and Notre Dame. I have to say: Notre Dame most definitely lives up to the hype! It really is a special place, and I consider myself so blessed to have had the experience of becoming part of the Fighting Irish! For that, I have my parents to thank! Attending Notre Dame and being part of the MSPL has majorly exceeded any expectations I had a year ago, and I will be forever grateful for this experience and those who made it happen.

I am now ready and excited for what my future holds, and I am reciprocally so excited to see my patent law family succeed! We have a great bond in a close-knit field, and we will from here on out be part of the great Notre Dame community. Thank you if you have taken the time to read up on any of the knowledge and experiences acquired by the MSPL bloggers; they are representative of our unique journeys through the program, and we appreciate any time that you took to read our thoughts! I am genuinely so happy and thankful to have been a member of this group of MSPL students. Within a short 9 months, Notre Dame became a new home to me, and I can easily say that enrolling in the MSPL was the best decision I could’ve made. “And our hearts forever, love thee Notre Dame!”

Catie Stevens
cmstevens8@outlook.com
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