Patent Agent Career (PAC) Pathway
An alternative path for science professionals.
The Patent Agent Career (PAC) Pathway is for upper-level undergraduate students or graduate students in STEM or Law considering careers in the patent and intellectual property fields.
Working as a Patent Agent
Patent agents prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications and need to be registered with the USPTO. As patent practitioners you can work in startups, technology transfer offices in universities and research institutes, research and development groups within corporations, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), patent law firms, or legal departments of corporations. Patent agents have a competitive starting salary and are in high demand!
Skills and Competencies
Having a technical or science background helps patent agents understand the science and engineering in patent applications. Strong communication skills helps patent agents navigate between the inventors and the USPTO. And, finally, having strong attention to detail helps patent agents navigate the patent process. Being a patent agent does NOT require a law degree!
The PAC Pathway helps STEM students at Penn State explore the patent agent career path. More detailed information is found in the USPTO General Requirements Bulletin for Admission:
Apply to the IP & Patent Bootcamp
Apply for the IP & Patent Bootcamp, a 3 day in-person experiential learning opportunity during spring break. The Bootcamp, developed in collaboration with Harrity and Harrity LLC, a renowned D.C. patent law firm, provides practical experience and networking opportunities for students to explore “a day in the life” of a patent agent in Washington, D.C., and learn basic skills in patent drafting and prosecution.
Timeline
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Applications open: November 10, 2024
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Applications close: January 31, 2025
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Notification of decision: February 7, 2025
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Registration closes: February 14, 2025
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Bootcamp: March 10-13, 2025
Instructors
Andrea Ragonese
Prof. Andrea Ragonese is an Assistant Teaching Professor with over 15 years’ experience working in the engineering field before joining the faculty in the School of Engineering Design and Innovation (SEDI) in the College of Engineering. Her professional experiences ranges from glass manufacturing, aerospace assembly and equipment engineering to cement production, shipbuilding, and medical device design. Additionally, Prof. Ragonese has interests and experience in Intellectual Property from writing, formulating, and examining patent applications to assessing the validity of patentable claims from her tenure at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Washington, DC. After spending six years as a Patent Examiner at the USPTO, Prof. Ragonese became a registered Patent Agent and spent time working for a small boutique patent law firm in Northern Virginia before leaving the IP field to enter academia.
Prof. Ragonese received her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (1998) and minor in Engineering Leadership Development (1998) from the Pennsylvania State University and her Master in Business Administration (2016) from Southern New Hampshire University. She also teaches ENGR 405 (Project Management for Professionals), ENGR 411 (Entrepreneurship and Business Basics), ENGR 804 (Engineering Product Innovation) and ENGR 805 (ELIM Capstone). Currently, Prof. Ragonese is a PhD candidate in Education for Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Engineering and Science Education. Her research focus is on how to create more inclusive, equitable spaces and teaching practices for underrepresented students in engineering to encourage belonging and retention while providing support through decolonization and indigenous pedagogies.
Jonathan D’Silva
Jonathan D’Silva is the Director of the Intellectual Property Law Clinic located at the Happy Valley LaunchBox and an Assistant Professor of Law. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New York, Washington D.C., and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Jonathan is the founder and principal of his solo boutique Intellectual Property law firm MMI Intellectual Property located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Jonathan is global IP counsel for several multinational corporations as well as counsel for several universities, small businesses, inventors, and creatives at every stage of their development and of all ages.
Prior to attending law school, Jonathan was a consulting engineer with the environmental engineering consulting firm Malcolm Pirnie, Inc out of their Buffalo Office working on evaluating and designing drinking water, wastewater, and municipal solid waste systems. He received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biological Engineering (1998) and his Master of Engineering in Bio Engineering (1999) from Cornell University.
