Sheryl Sandberg, COO at Facebook, has made waves in the world of feminism with her new book out next week. While I find the title of the book, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, to be filled with patronizing and a bit condescending, I’m still planning on buying the book.
Why? As a full-time working mother, I’m curious to read Sandberg’s thoughts on career development. While I don’t have much desire to become the next Sandberg or Marissa Mayer, I do have career aspirations. Since I’ve become a mother, I have both leaned into my career and stepped down into the “mommy track” when I needed a different balance. Now pregnant with my third child and about to start my third maternity leave, I’m not planning on leaving the workforce or returning to work part-time. Instead I’ve spent this pregnancy mapping out my next steps in my career, making new connections, and planning a return to work that would probably make Sandberg proud. I find the biggest inspiration for my continuing to pursue my career goals are my children.
On April 2, Sandberg will deliver a public address at Stanford University about her new book. Her visit is sponsored by the Clayman Institute for Gender Research, as its annual Jing Lyman Lecture. The event is free, but advance reservations are required. Tickets are available either online, by phone (650-725-2787), or in person beginning at 9am on March 7 through the Stanford ticket office.
