Author Archives: Samantha

LaToya Holmes, a participant in the 2022 Patent Pathways program, has shared her enriching journey in a recent video. With a background in computer science and over 20 years of experience in systems and test engineering, LaToya was looking for a career transition that would allow her to work remotely while leveraging her technical expertise. The Patent Pathways program provided her with the perfect opportunity.

LaToya’s journey into the Patent Pathways program began when a cousin informed her about the program. The program’s aim to sponsor 20 women to take the patent bar exam resonated with LaToya, who was contemplating her next career move after two decades in the defense subcontracting industry.

Upon acceptance into the program, LaToya embarked on a summer-long training to prepare for the patent bar exam. The program paired her with two mentors who guided her through the training and helped her with assignments.

The program also facilitated interviews with law firms that matched her background. Each participant in the program was paired with different law firms for interviews. The firms then offered positions based on their needs and the participant’s suitability.

LaToya was paired with a law firm based in San Diego, California. She describes the experience as “perfect” and speaks highly of her time with the firm, which included a week-long stay at their beachside office during the holiday season.

Reflecting on her experience, LaToya said, “It’s been a great experience ever since… it’s been an excellent experience since.” She also spoke about the program’s impact on her career transition, stating, “When I heard about Patent Pathways, it was the perfect transition opportunity for me.”

In her closing remarks, LaToya encouraged others to consider the patent field, especially those with a technical or science background. She emphasized that the field is a great option for career professionals looking for a transition, even if they choose to do so later in their careers.

She said, “I would definitely, if I was you, look into the field… it’s a wonderful field. If you’re a techie, science background, definitely something I would recommend you looking into.”

LaToya’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the Patent Pathways program. It highlights the program’s ability to facilitate career transitions, provide mentorship, and open up opportunities in the patent field. Her journey serves as an inspiration for others, especially women in tech, to explore the opportunities that patent law offers.

And, she adds, “If you don’t want to do it right away, you can be a career professional, like me, and transition into it later!”

Hear what she had to say below:

Sound like something you are interested in? We’re now accepting applications for our June-November 2023 and January-May 2024 Patent Pathways™ Rotations. 
APPLY NOW TO PARTICIPATE IN PATENT PATHWAYS

We can’t do this program alone! Want to get involved? Check out these useful links:

JOIN A PATENT PATHWAYS COMMITTEE
BECOME A MENTOR
BECOME A LAW FIRM PARTNER
BECOME A CORPORATE SPONSOR

Michelle Flowers, a participant in the 2022 Patent Pathways program, has shared her inspiring journey in a recent video. With a background in civil engineering and a decade-long career in contract compliance for renewable energy developers, Michelle was introduced to the Patent Pathways program by a friend. This introduction marked the beginning of a transformative journey that has reshaped her career aspirations.

Michelle’s career has always been intertwined with the technical world. She works with renewable energy developers, designing wind, solar, and storage farms, and prepares the necessary reports and contracts for connecting these farms to transmission lines. This experience, she believes, aligns well with the requirements of the Patent Pathways program.

The opportunity to join the Patent Pathways program came unexpectedly. A friend, aware of Michelle’s engineering background, recommended the program. Intrigued, Michelle signed up and was soon accepted after a couple of interviews. She recalls her surprise at the swift process, saying, “I thought this was going to be like a year from now, but I just figured, why not? What do I have to lose?”

Interestingly, this wasn’t Michelle’s first encounter with patent law. As a freshman in college, she had an idea she wanted to patent but found the process complicated. When the opportunity to join the Patent Pathways program presented itself, it was the third time patent law had crossed her path, prompting her to pay attention.

Throughout the program, Michelle has been supported by two mentors who have encouraged her during moments of doubt. She admits there were times when she questioned her decision to switch careers and start from scratch. However, the encouragement from her mentors and her determination to fully commit to this new path have kept her going.

Michelle’s journey has now led her to consider law school, a decision influenced by her experience in the Patent Pathways program. She believes that patent law is a great fit for her and is eager to continue her journey in this field.

In her closing remarks, Michelle emphasized the impact of the program on her confidence and belief in her ability to succeed in the patent law field. She said, “Going through this program gave me just enough information and confidence to believe that I can be successful in this field and move forward in it.”

Michelle’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the Patent Pathways program. It highlights the program’s ability to open up new career paths and instill confidence in participants, enabling them to envision and pursue new career goals. Her journey serves as an inspiration for others, especially women in engineering, to explore the opportunities that patent law offers.

Hear what she had to say below:

Sound like something you are interested in? We’re now accepting applications for our June-November 2023 and January-May 2024 Patent Pathways™ Rotations. 
APPLY NOW TO PARTICIPATE IN PATENT PATHWAYS

We can’t do this program alone! Want to get involved? Check out these useful links:

JOIN A PATENT PATHWAYS COMMITTEE
BECOME A MENTOR
BECOME A LAW FIRM PARTNER
BECOME A CORPORATE SPONSOR