Why did you choose a job in this sector?

Towards the end of my doctorate, I was looking for a career that would allow me to combine my scientific background with the technical writing skills I had developed. I connected with some trainee patent attorneys at a careers fair who spoke incredibly highly of the profession. This prompted me to apply for a taster day at a patent law firm, which ultimately confirmed that this career was the perfect fit for me.

How did you get your job at Secerna?

I saw that Secerna was recruiting a trainee in the Physical Sciences team on the IP Careers website. I applied with my CV and cover letter, and I was invited to a Teams interview, and then subsequently an in-person interview.

What was the application process like?

I spent a lot of time researching the profession to make sure I understood what I was applying for. Attending a taster day gave me an honest sense of the daily routine, which I supplemented by tracking intellectual property news and reading through existing patents.

From there, I focused on translating my doctoral experience into the transferable skills that matter to a firm, ensuring each application was bespoke. During the interview, when I was asked why I wanted to transition into this field and how my technical background fit, the deep dive I did early on was invaluable. It allowed me to explain exactly how my research had shaped my perspective, showing the interviewers that my decision to become a patent attorney was well-considered and genuine.

What are your main duties?

The job is varied, which is what I like about it. I have been involved in preparing patent applications, from initial client meetings to discuss inventions, through to drafting and filing new patent applications.

A large part of the job is ‘prosecution’, meaning the process of trying to convince a patent office to grant a patent. This involves getting to grips with the prior art that might be cited against an application we are responsible for, and considering what responses we can make (for example, to amend the application to overcome any objections, or to argue against the objections) and the pros and cons of each.

What skills are useful?

Top of the list is strong written communication. You need to be able to distil complex information for clients who are new to the patent system, as well as frame precise, persuasive arguments when dealing with patent offices. Attention to detail and excellent time management are also crucial for managing the day-to-day workflow effectively.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to get into the industry?

The most important thing is ensuring you truly understand what the career involves day-to-day. While there is a wealth of information online, I highly recommend reaching out to current trainees to hear about their experiences first hand, or applying for insight schemes like the Secerna taster day.