This talk will focus on the patenting, business and consulting aspects of computer and electrical engineering. Business and career models for electrical and computer engineers will be addressed from the perspective of going into academia or industry, starting your own company, participating in a start-up, or being a consultant. Career moves from one model to another are commonplace. The talk will explore the end product of engineering design, i.e., products and/or patented technology. This talk will show you how to make the intellectual leap from an engineer/designer to an inventor. The value of patented designs and methods to individually participate in this value will be addressed. Similarly, the intellectual and economical advantages of advanced degrees will be identified and evaluated.

Eric M. Dowling received the B.S.E.E, M.S.E.E, and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Florida. During these years he also served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, Florida National Guard as a signal platoon leader, radio officer and corps area signal company commander. He next became an assistant professor and then an associate professor at the University of Texas at Dallas where he has been for ten years. He published over 75 technical articles and has eighteen patents pending, some allowed. During these years he also consulted for a wide range of industry and government clients. He passed the patent and trademark office's patent bar exam and is therefore a patent agent. He has been on leave from the university for almost two years and has been consulting full time. He is currently president of Dowling Consulting Inc. servicing large multinational clients.