Katherine Rock

What led you to choose UTS:Law for your studies? Many of the courses offered as part of the Master of Intellectual Property (MIP) at UTS are accredited by the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys (PSB), and therefore are capable of satisfying knowledge requirements as part of the requirements for registration as a patent or trade mark attorney.  In addition, as the MIP can be undertaken by distance, this made the decision easy, as I am currently located in Brisbane. 

If you are working while you are studying, what does your job involve?  I am currently employed as a trainee patent attorney at Davies Collison Cave in Brisbane, which involves drafting patent specifications as well as the preparation, filing and prosecution of patent applications in Australia and overseas.  In particular, my technical  experience and interests cover a variety of technologies including biomedical and electronics engineering, image processing and software, having previously complete Bachelor's degrees in Microelectronic Engineering and Information Technology at Griffith University, and a Doctorate in Engineering Science and medical image processing at the University of Oxford.

How do you balance study and work commitments? Full time work and part time study can be time-consuming, however studying by distance through UTS provided the flexibility to listen to lectures and complete assessments when convenient, for example, while commuting to work, on weekends, and in the evenings. 

How have/will your studies at UTS contributed to your career? How have they informed the way you work? As discussed above, many of the MIP courses at UTS are accredited by the PSB and therefore at least partially satisfy the requirements for registration as a patent attorney.  Therefore, courses such as Patent Law, Patent Systems, Designs Law & Practice, and the like have consolidated and enhanced my on-the-job learning, in preparation for practice as a patent attorney.  

What is the most rewarding aspect of your degree? Why? The progression through the degree is relatively fast and provides tangible and rewarding recognition of your efforts. 

What would your advice be for someone who is looking at studying Law at UTS? My advice to anyone looking to study at UTS would be to consider how your preferred program of study fits around your existing work-life commitments, whilst furthering your career goals. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience at UTS:Law, or the University as a whole? Other aspects of my experience, include the ease of self-management of your study program, course choice and the like using UTS's online administration and learning systems.  

Find out more about our Master in Intellectual Property program at our information evening.