I went to law school after age 40, and this is what I learned…

Scientia Potentia Est or “knowledge is power.” Traditionally, the phrase has been used by rulers or elites to indicate that with learning comes more abilities and amassing power and wealth through better information than those around you. Though the accumulation of wealth or power selfishly sounds good, that was certainly not my motivation for going to law school at my age.

About 20 years ago, I graduated with a master’s degree in computer science, and I’ve had a wonderful career since then. I’ve worked at some of the most respected companies in the world, and I’ve consulted for even more. My knowledge and passion around technology has enabled this success. But, I’ve also carefully given back, teaching at local community colleges and universities as well as helping to coach and mentor those who have worked around me. Why take something that is going well and add in the pressure of something like a law degree?

It’s because knowledge really is power. But not in the sense that it allows me to make money or control others (though it does potentially do that). The power in knowledge comes from confidence in tackling problems, from building a mindset that is always striving to learn and adjust, and from the ability to look at problems from a multi-disciplined manner.

On my first day of law school, I sat next to a student that had just turned 20 years old. My career was just about as old as she was. However, I learned a lot from her. I got to hear her perspective on 9/11 when she was just a child. I got to hear her perspective on corporations. While sometimes I felt that my wisdom and experience was an asset, it also was my bias. I had the true opportunity to inspect my beliefs, challenge them, and discuss them thoroughly. I came out the other side more knowledgeable, wiser, and tolerant.

I learned what true power comes from knowledge:

• Self-sufficiency – the ability to do things on your own, armed with the knowledge learned through others.
• Teaching / coaching – the ability to share my knowledge with others including the wisdom of living in this world along with accumulated skills.
• Understanding – the ability to really listen to others and appreciate their perspective.
• Eminence – the ability to influence others through the respect that you have gained. Experience and knowledge are attractive to others who seek to exploit it for their own benefit.
• Participation – the ability to contribute to discussions, even on topics that are not part of your mainstream career or point of view.
• People – the ability to listen to others, appreciate their perspective, and engage with them in a meaningful way.

These are the kinds of lessons that we all gain over time. And, certainly, you don’t need to go to law school to learn them. Frankly, I already knew many of these lessons. What I did, learn, however, is that Scientia Gaudium Est – “knowledge is joy.” May you experience the same joy of learning that I have.