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Access to IP professions, Careers In Ideas, Outreach, Summer of IP

 

Page published on 21st November 2023
Page last modified on 21st November 2023

 

“There is not only one way but many different non-traditional routes in the IP field, which makes the field accessible, rich and diverse.” 
– Ekin Emir, Summer of IP alumnus

 

During the summer of 2023 our Careers in Ideas team coordinated a programme of outreach activities and events, under the Summer of IP banner. They included introductions to the basics about IP and the careers available here, some more specific events to showcase particular types of career, and opportunities such as taster sessions and work experience placements from IP sector employers.

We asked participants to tell us about their Summer of IP experiences, what they learnt and what they enjoyed the most. We’re publishing the resultant blog posts on our website News and Features page throughout the autumn. In this one Ekin Emir writes about the events she attended as part of the programme. Ekin is a foreign-qualified commercial and IP lawyer and has an LLM in Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law from Queen Mary University of London.

Ekin writes:

I first learned about the Summer of IP events thanks to Julie Barrett’s LinkedIn posts about the webinar on crafting CVs and cover letters and excelling in the interview process. I met her earlier this year while I was involved in the qLegal pro-bono legal clinic as a student legal adviser during my LLM at Queen Mary. During that time, she conducted a seminar on IP for start-ups and SMEs and mentioned that she also provided career advice to young professionals.

As a foreign-qualified lawyer with experience in IP law from abroad, I felt the need to better understand the requirements and essential skills for potential roles in the UK, and the transferable skills you can move around with. When I saw her post, I eagerly registered for the event, and then I was also thoroughly impressed by the Summer of IP programme, which offers a wide range of events through all volunteers’ efforts throughout the summer. I believe it caters to everyone, from those with prior knowledge of IP to those who are just taking their first step into the field. I attended events where I could hear directly from professionals in the specific roles I was interested in, learning about their own IP law journeys. I felt more informed about the opportunities and requirements of different roles, less daunted, and more confident in my pursuit of extra resources that could propel my career.

Here are a few important takeaways from events:

  • Diversity and inclusivity are not just noble causes; they are catalysts for success, fostering agility, resilience and a wealth of perspectives that reflect innovation, originating from a broad spectrum of diverse minds.
  • Working in IP is rewarding by helping to turn those ideas into commercial success by being surrounded by creative people from all around the world.
  • There is not only one way but many different non-traditional routes in the IP field, which makes the field accessible, rich and diverse, despite the legal profession being historically known as traditional.

The open day/evening events of the firms provided an excellent opportunity for gaining first-hand insights about the industry and valuable connections in the intellectual property field. Equally important was connecting with other participants, as their diverse and inquisitive questions to the speakers enhanced my experience. Furthermore, one-on-one coffee meetings added a personal touch to the programme, allowing for more extended informal discussions. Meeting Ellie Wilson from Mishcon de Reya enabled me to openly discuss my career journey in a friendly and approachable setting.

The programme genuinely lived up to its name, as it placed a strong emphasis on inclusivity and actively strived to improve accessibility to careers in the intellectual property field for students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds. I sincerely appreciate their efforts and encourage anyone, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds in the UK, whether they are interested in the field or seeking career guidance and support, to participate in next year’s events.

 

Our thanks to all the IP professionals and organisations who helped to make Summer of IP a success, and in particular to Julie Barrett and Ellie Wilson who are mentioned in Ekin’s post.

We are indeed hoping to re-run Summer of IP in 2024. Watch this space…!

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