“How STEM Students Can Build Dynamic Careers in Intellectual Property”

Marshall Gerstein’s Chief Talent & Diversity Officer, Christine E. Hollis, was recently published in University Business, where she highlights the often-underrecognized opportunities for STEM students at the intersection of science and law. In her article, Christine makes a compelling case that intellectual property careers are not just traditional legal roles but vibrant, rich pathways in which scientific knowledge is a strategic asset. 

She emphasizes how important it is for educators and advisors to broaden students’ career imaginations beyond labs and academia: “There is an entire ecosystem at the intersection of innovation and law that relies on STEM expertise every single day. Intellectual property is where ideas meet strategy, and it is one of the most exciting and consequential spaces for scientific talent.”

Christine explains that roles such as technical specialists and patent agents enable STEM graduates to work directly with inventors and emerging technologies – without an immediate commitment to law school – thereby creating a bridge into the broader IP profession. She also points to the rising demand for technical talent across innovation hubs and underscores universities' role in expanding equitable access to these careers. 

Read more about Christine’s viewpoint on diverse career pathways for science and engineering students in University Business.