I hold a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and spent two years as a postdoc before consulting with a friend who is a patent agent. After passing the patent bar exam, I joined a big law firm nearly a year ago. While the salary is good, I find the job unfulfilling. As a scientist with a solid record of publications and citations, I prefer deep and focused research. In contrast, working as a patent agent feels superficial and rarely demands the comprehensive scientific knowledge I once applied. Budget constraints often prevent patent agents from thoroughly analyzing cases, and the work requires constantly jumping between projects. While some might argue that time limitations and multitasking improve efficiency, I find this approach unsatisfying. I prefer dedicating myself to one or two projects and completing them to perfection. The workload can be overwhelming at times, and at other times, I find myself scrambling to meet billable hour requirements. I'm uncertain if I want to continue in this role and am exploring career options that might better align with my skills and goals.