Since patent law combines the areas of science/technology and law, there are a number of ways you can explore this field. To investigate the law aspect of this career, try to get a part-time job or internship with a law office in your area. You will probably be performing tasks such as filing papers, photocopying, and answering phones, but this experience will give you an idea of what working in a law office is like. If you can't find such a job, try locating a lawyer in your area with whom you could do an information interview. Even if the lawyer is not a patent lawyer, he or she may be able to give you some insights into the practice of law and the experience of law school.
To explore the science/technology aspects of this career, consider joining a science or engineering club at your school. Ask your science or technology teacher about any contacts he or she might have with science or engineering professors at the university level. You may be able to set up an information interview with a scientist or engineer working on or having completed a Ph.D. Find out what this person likes about the field and get any advice he or she may offer to a young scientist or engineer.
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