Lifelong learning. Freda Rebelsky was the kind of professor you didn’t just admire; you adored. After a pioneering career in child development and consumer products research, followed by years as a phenomenal professor and fierce advocate for women 👠, Freda — well into midlife — decided to take up the cello.
She loved learning new things and didn’t relish doing the same thing twice.
Freda was one of those rare people who embraced life’s endless chapters, diving into each new challenge with an enthusiasm that left you marveling.
At the time, I was her teaching assistant in psychology 🧠, and I was in awe of her boundless curiosity and zest. Freda didn’t just make you believe in learning new things; she inspired you to be curious.
Lifelong learning is essential—it’s something last week’s election reminded many of us. Staying informed about current issues, revisiting history in more depth, and understanding the impact each of us has on our society is crucial.
I’m a big believer in continuous growth (hello, Duolingo and Masterclass!), and I also think professional development should be a career-long effort.
That’s why I was thrilled to learn about Mayer Brown‘s initiative, which allows associates to create their own events for networking and business development.
Credit: ImageFlow/Adobe Stock
I was delighted to speak with Andrew Maloney of The American Lawyer for his article on the topic. A few takeaways come to mind:
1.  Invest in Growth Across All Levels
Look at the various roles within your firm, among both lawyers and staff. What steps are you taking to foster their continuous growth? This is an investment in them and the organization, as it creates a more thoughtful, more innovative, and adaptable team.
2.  Define Clear Development Milestones
Consider the specific skills and knowledge you want each group to attain. What are the benchmarks that each group should know at different stages? Training should be strategic to target those distinct objectives.
3.  Learn from Other Industries
I always find that engaging with companies beyond your own professional services world can inspire fresh ideas. Exploring how others approach training and development can spark valuable innovations for your firm.
Continuous learning keeps the brain elastic, foster creativity, and make our work and place in the world more meaningful and impactful.
