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Alumni Career Feature – Jared Fureman

We feature alumni with interesting careers from a variety of career areas. To find out more about the alumnus profession contact them via the e-mail provided. Or if you are interested in being featured, e-mail us at alumni@pct.edu.

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Jared Fureman

• B.S., Electronics Engineering Technology, 1998
• U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
• mdjf@bellatlantic.net
• Employer's Web site

How did you choose your present career? Please explain how you decided to major in your area of study during college.

I had a basic electronics course in high school and that was what held my interest. I choose electronics because I saw it as a growing field with many job opportunities. I could go into engineering, technician work, biomedical, communications, and other fields. When I came to College, I was originally in the 2-year program. In my third year, the college began the 4-year program and I decided to stay because there were more career opportunities.

What advice do you have to offer to a student who is struggling with identification of a major/career field in college?

I think the best thing for a student to do would be to talk with people in different fields so they can get an idea of what the field is like and an idea of the opportunities available.

Did you use Career Counseling services and/or Career/Placement services while at Penn College (or Williamsport Area Community College)? If yes, how did they help you?

I used Career Counseling to prepare my resume. They put my resume on file to provide to employers.

How were you hired at your present position?

Another classmate was at a job fair where the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office was recruiting. I got in touch someone from the office. They asked me to complete an online job application. From there, I had a telephone interview and then a personal interview. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office in Virginia hired both my classmate and me. I have been at my job almost 2 years. For people who may be interested in learning more about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, they can visit the web site at www.uspto.gov.

What positions did you hold before this one?

None – I graduated in May 1998.

What would you tell a Penn College graduating student about your career field?

The field of intellectual property is a large field. I feel most people are not too familiar with this field. A patent provides an inventor with the exclusive rights for a limited time to their invention -- to make it, use it or sell it. In return for providing the inventor with the exclusive rights, the inventor will provide disclosure of their invention. They provide a teaching of their invention, what it is, how it works, and how to make the invention. Other people in the field will be able to learn about the invention. The idea is that the patent will help propel technology, with others adding to or modifying the invention. I work in a class of inventions that deal primarily with barcode readers, credit card readers--coded record sensors. I review patent applications and help determine if a patent is issued.

What was the most significant thing you learned on the job during your first year?

It took some time to learn my employer’s specific policies and procedures and just becoming acclimated to the work place.

What was most difficult about your transition to the world of work?

The most difficult thing was moving to a new city, finding a place to live and adjusting to the new surroundings as well as adjusting to the workplace at the same time. It helped that I had another friend in the area and working at the same business.

What was the greatest strength of your Penn College/Williamsport Area Community College education? (What did you learn at Penn College that helped you a great deal in your career?)

I learned discipline and perseverance. My instructors challenged me and had a great deal of experience in the electronics field.

What should students in your field do to prepare themselves for their career?

I think the best thing to do would be to get as broad a knowledge of the field as possible. Students need to be aware of the different fields that relate to electronics. For students interested in the bachelors program, they will need a strong math background.

What do you find the most enjoyable about your career field and your present position?

I like the fact that I get to see different things. I am not working with the same thing all the time. I enjoy the flexibility my position offers --flex scheduling, good vacation and holidays. I like the fact that I get to see the new technologies because that helps me keep up to date in the field.

How do you see your field changing in the next 3-5 years? Will this change require you to obtain additional training?

I do not really see the intellectual properties field changing. I think the general field of electronics will continue to grow & be more prevalent in our daily lives. I think there will be a need for both 2-year and 4-year degrees but more opportunities are available with a 4-year degree.

What are your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in 3 years?

Right now, my goal is to get as much experience as I can in the field. I will probably stay in this field for the foreseeable future.

If you could redo your college experience, how/would you prepare differently to enter the workplace?

I would probably do more research and exploring of the job market. I waited until my last year and I think students would benefit if they thought about where they might like to work or what they might like to do throughout their college years.

From your perspective, what are three to five needed skills that your employer was seeking in a new employee?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recruiters looked at my grades to see proven performance. They were looking for good writing and communication skills. They focused on my technical skills and my basic electronic course work.

Have you received any special recognition or awards through your employment or professional organizations to which you belong?

Not yet.