I haven’t noticed anyone mention patent law. It’s a great field if you like engineering/biotech/chemistry and you can write and speak well (that is, if you want to do more than just write patent applications). You need a good technical degree (best are EE, chem E, chemistry or an advanced molecular biology degree) and a law degree, although I’ve known a lot of people who went to night school to get their law degree while working as “technical assistants” or in some similar position at a patent law firm. The job is particularly good for impatient types who like engineering but feel that results are too slow. You get exposure to a wide range of technologies and a lot of interesting ideas. Plus, starting salaries are around $120,000 at good firms.