Next week, Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook will be at Sixth and I discussing her book Lean In and the new Lean In Foundation that seeks to bring more women to the top-tier of the working world. While her book has generated a bit of controversy–some call it a one-size-fits-all recipe in a diverse world–you can’t deny that she is one of the most important female leaders in America, if not the world.
From the COO of Facebook comes Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, a riveting book that asks: Why do men still hold the majority of top positions in government and industry, thirty years after women became the majority of college graduates? And why are women’s voices still not heard equally in the decisions that most affect our lives?
Sandberg taps her experience at Facebook, Google, the World Bank and the US Treasury to examine these questions. She uses hard data to dig into the roots of the problem and paint a compelling portrait of working women’s lives. She provides advice for women on negotiating, finding mentors, and building a satisfying career. She shows men how they benefit too when they support women in the workplace and at home. With humor and insight, she recounts her own daily struggles to make the right choices for her career and her family.
Sandberg is ranked among Fortune’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” and Time’s “100 Most Influential People in the World.” She will be in conversation with NPR Special Correspondent, Michele Norris.
The event is sold out, but I bought two pairs of tickets to give away before they ran out. So let’s get to the nitty-gritty.
The event is Thursday, March 14, 2013. It’s being held at 6th and I Synagogue in Chinatown, so this giveaway is for D.C.-area residents only. To enter, leave a comment listing your current job title and your dream job. Don’t forget to include your real e-mail address so I can contact you.
The drawing will be Friday, and tickets will need to be mailed, so owners must claim their prize by the following Monday.
164 comments
Erin says:
Current Job: Strategic Account Executive
Dream Job: Broadway Singer
Betsy says:
Current job title: Congressional Affairs Analyst
Dream job: Intelligence Specialist or Legislative Liaison at a multitude of gov agencies
TA says:
Current job: Legislative Correspondent
Dream Job: Foreign Service Officer/Civil Service Officer with the State Department
Sophie says:
Current Job Title: Marketing Manager
Dream Job: Marketing/Branding consultant
Emily says:
Current: Economic Development Associate
Dream: CEO of Downtown Development Agency
Elizabeth says:
Current: Public Policy Associate
Dream: Head Lobbyist… or the next Ina Garten
LS says:
Current: Technical Officer
Dream: Not totally sure yet…but moving towards entrepreneur/small business owner
Lexi says:
Current Job: Press Secretary
Dream Job: Working at the State Department on Western Hemisphere issues
Lauren M. says:
Current Job: Capitol Hill Committee Intern/Full-Time Job-Seeker
Dream Job: Photojournalist
M says:
Current Job: legal assistant
Dream Job: Supreme Court Justice
CAM says:
Current Job: Research Associate
Dream Job: Public Health Advocate
Alex says:
Current Job: Public Affairs Associate
Dream Title: CJ Cregg
Paige Helling says:
Current Job: Advocacy Account Executive
Dream Job: Food and/or Film Critic
Kimberly says:
Current: unemployed
Dream job: trying to figure that one out!
Jessica says:
Current Job: Financial Analyst
Dream Job: CFO
Katelyn says:
current job: management & program analyst (HR)
dream job: chief of staff to flotus
Maria says:
Current title: Analyst (federal agency)
Dream title: Madam Secretary!
Dream big, right?
Sheryl Sandberg starts great conversations, and I would love to see her at 6th & I. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
SCS says:
Current Job: consultant
Dream Job: TBD
Stacia says:
Current: Early Childhood site manager
Dream: Secretary of Education
Alexandra says:
Current title: employment lawyer
Dream title: US Attorney
Amber says:
Current Job: Staff Assistant
Dream Job: Foreign Service Officer
brenna says:
current job : marketing associate
dream job: marketing manager or creative director for an ad agency
Maya says:
Current: Student at American University studying Public Communication with a minor in Computer Science
Dream Job: Strategic Communication Firm
Maren says:
Current: Attorney
Dream: Tina Fey
Hayley says:
Current job: Scheduler for US Representative
Dream job: Pastry chef and baking book author
Natalie says:
Current title: Development Associate
Dream job: starting up the next Georgetown Cupcake/Sprinkles empire (not cupcakes…more patisserie/corner bakery style)
Lady Lawyer says:
Current Job: Associate Attorney at a Law Firm
Dream Job: Virginia’s First Female U.S. Senator
Eleanor says:
Current Job: Account Manager for Political Consulting Firm
Dream Job: Communications Director for the White House
SQC says:
Thanks so much for saving tickets for a give away!
Current: Counsel
Dream: General Counsel
AMac says:
Current job: Associate at Law Firm
Dream Job: General Counsel at Google
GoGoGo says:
Hi Belle,
I would not be able to attend, but I am jumping in with a comment here because I would love to hear from fellow political professionals about a DC-related anecdote Sandberg tells that has always bothered me.
In her original popular Ted Talk, and many times since, Sandberg states as one of her principles that women should “Sit at the Table.” She tells the following story:
“Just a couple weeks ago at Facebook, we hosted a very senior government official, and he came in to meet with senior execs from around Silicon Valley. And everyone kind of sat at the table. He had these two women who were traveling with him who were pretty senior in his department, and I kind of said to them, ‘Sit at the table! Come on, sit at the table!’ And they sat on the side of the room.”
I think Sandberg misread the situation here. Depending on the meeting, when political aides are “staffing” an official, even very senior ones, they’ll sit against the wall behind him or her rather than joining the group. By lining the wall, they can confer quietly, pass papers to the boss, or stay tuned to a device if needed. Male staff would do the same. Sometimes we’re co-negoitators at the table; sometimes we’re “staffers.” It’s a relatinoship that might not have a parallel in the corporate world.
I don’t want to get too deep into the Great Sheryl Sandberg Backlash debate here, but just wanted to say it always bugged me on behalf of those two women that Sandberg mistook an unfamiliar piece of professional ettiquette for a personal lack of confidence and drive. If I could go to Sixth and I on Thursday, I would love the chance to confidently tell her that in person. 🙂 Tell me if I’m wrong, ladies.
Belle says:
I think you’re right. I always sat behind my Boss, not because he was a man, but because that’s normal for a staffer. We sit behind them in committee, in meetings, etc. They sit at the table because they’re the focus.
Sandra says:
Current job: Online Marketing Coordinator
Dream Job: VP of Marketing at a Non-Profit
Thanks for snatching up those tickets- I’ve been searching for a way to get into this event!
TrC says:
Current Job: Consultant
Dream Job: CEO of Big Pharma firm
Allison says:
Current Job: Project Manager
Dream Job: Run my own consulting firm
kate says:
Current job: attorney for government
Dream job: to be a famous artist
Anna says:
Current job: healthcare lawyer
Dream job: Hospital CEO or law school clinic director
IRMcK says:
Current Job: House Legislative Assistant
Dream Job: Senator/Senate Approps Chairman
DW says:
Current Job: Program Specialist
Dream Job: Foreign Service Officer
Kelsey says:
Current Job: House Legislative/Press Assistant
Dream Job: To be C.J. Cregg, or to own a breakfast taco truck
AR says:
Current Job: Associate at law firm
Dream Job: general counsel at LVMH or Gucci Group
Elizabeth H. says:
Current Job: Legal Assistant
Dream Job: Director/Editor-in-Chief of a my own media outlet, bakery owner
Laura says:
Current Job: Legislative Correspondent
Dream Job: Civil Service Officer with the State Department
Katherine says:
Current Job: Program Evaluator Department of Justice
Dream Job: Own my own brand management consulting firm.
Rachel says:
Current job: Political Communications Associate
Dream job: Foundation or Museum Communications Director
SL says:
Current Job: Federal Consultant
Dream Job: Run a private school
Jennifer says:
Current Job: Administrative Coordinator
Dream Job: President of my company….. or Tina Fey.
Beth says:
Current job: Regulatory Affairs Manager
Dream job: Novelist, Elementary school volunteer
T says:
Current Job: Foreign Service Officer
Dream Job: Foreign Service Officer in Rome!
For those of you who listed this, I have to say it’s a great job! Take the test!
Lauren says:
Current job: Associate Attorney at a firm
Dream job: General counsel/VP of an academic medical center
Lauren T says:
Current job: production assistant
Dream job: international correspondent
KLB says:
Current Job: Advocacy and Grassroots Manager
Dream Job: President of a nonprofit or university
Holly says:
Current Job: Government Technology Consultant
Dream Job: Open my own bakery
Lizzie says:
Current Job: Paralegal
Dream Job: First Female Supreme Court Chief Justice
HBM says:
Current job: Project manager for voter contact firm.
President: President of a strategic communications firm.
Kate says:
Current Job: Paralegal
Dream Job: Attorney for ACLU
Emily says:
Currently: Grad student in International Commerce and Policy (with graduation in May) spending hours each day looking for work.
Dream Job: Working for the trade and investment division of any embassy.
AT says:
Current Job: Administrative Assistant at a retail giant’s government affairs office
Dream Job: White House Chief of Staff
Molly says:
Current Job: Marketing and Events Specialist
Dream Job: CMO or Head of Communications for a nature or animal-related nonprofi, not-for-profit, lobbying firm, or zoo.
RMM says:
Current job: Senate Staff Assistant
Dream Job: White House Press Secretary.
IC says:
Current Job: Executive Assistant
Dream Job: First Female President 🙂
Emily says:
Current Job: Policy Manager
Dream Job: Food critic with some policy on the side
AJB says:
Current Job: Program Analyst/Contracts Auditor
Dream Job: Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy
I think this is a great activity for women to see how “BIG” we all are dreaming, and I find it encouraging that so many women have such big aspirations. Good work, ladies!!!
Dana says:
Current Job: Law firm associate
Dream Job: Wine buyer
Nina says:
Current Job: Higher Education Associate
Dream Job: Deputy Director
Allison says:
Current Job: Litigation Associate
Dream Job: US Attorney
BN says:
Current Job: Law Firm Associate
Dream Job: Heiress (or In-House Counsel for a Defense Contractor, whichever comes first)
Blair says:
Current Job: Project Coordinator
Dream Job: Pastry Chef and Foreign Policy Consultant
Amber says:
Current Job: Exec Assistant
Dream Job: VP Government Affairs
Amelia says:
Current Job: Law Firm Associate
Dream Job: International Tax Counsel at Treasury
Vie says:
Current Job: HR Coordinator
Dream Job: Gynaecologist, then Community Health Worker Trainer
Heather says:
Current Job: Senior Public Affairs Analyst
Dream Job: Lobbyist for the University of North Carolina (one of only a handful of public universities to have lobbyists!)
CM says:
Current: Fellow
Dream: Chief Counsel
Victoria says:
Current Job: Marketing Manager
Dream Job: Marketing/Social Media for City Travel Bureau
Catherine says:
Current Job: Attorney
Dream Job: Hedge Fund Manager
Sarah says:
Current Job: Associate Blog Editor
Dream Job: Senior Health Care Policy Editor, Politico
Amelia says:
Current job: Research Assistant
Dream Job: White House COS
Brittany M says:
Current Job: Attorney w/ a federal agency
Dream Job: Public policy leader (read: Head of an agency or organization that addresses important societal issues, education, housing, etc.)
Kate says:
Current: Assistant Program Officer
Dream: President of a private charitable fund
Meghan Marek says:
Current Title: Associate attorney (ERISA).
Dream Title: General Counsel at major labor union.
Leanne says:
Current: Student-Alumni Programming Coordinator
Dream: HR/Talent Development Director for a fashion/cosmetics company (with a yoga business on the side!)
Clare says:
Current: associate at a speechwriting firm
Dream: Toby Ziegler (less bearded, better clothes, same power of prose)
Palak says:
Current Job: Associate/Legal Fellow
Dream Job: Associate General Counsel or General Counsel
CS says:
Current: Office Manager
Dream: CEO
psparul says:
Current job: Financial Analyst
Dream job: U.S. Secretary of the Treasury / Chairwoman of the CFTC
JS says:
Current Job: Manager, Client Services at a digital agency
Dream Job: Director of Online Marketing and Communication at an organization focused on women and girls
Tanya says:
Current job: Research Associate
Dream Job: Nordstrom CEO
Lori says:
Current Job: 3D Artist and Animator
Dream Job: Elephant Trainer
Sarah R. says:
Current Job: HR Specialist
Dream job: Human Capital Vp/Director
sdeichman@gmail.com says:
Current Job: Federal Management Consultant
Dream Job: Real Estate Developer in the western U.S.
E says:
Current Job: Legislative Staff Assistant
Dream Job: President of the United States
Lynn says:
Current Job: Consultant
Dream Job: Chief of Staff in a Democratic Administration
B says:
current: China Analyst
dream: Secretary of State!
Rae says:
Current Job: Program Assistant
Dream Job: UN WMD Disarmament Chief
JMW says:
Current job: Program Analyst
Dream job: Foreign Service Management Officer (posted in Thailand.. but I’ll take what I can get)
Katie says:
Current Job: Small Business Owner
Dream Job: Large Business Owner
JH says:
Current Job: Manager, Facilities Planning at DC-area hospital
Dream Job: Chief Strategy Officer for a non-profit health system
Jane says:
Current Job: Senior Federal Pursuit Specialist
Dream Job: Chief Creative Officer
Sara says:
Current Job: Exempt Organization Tax Specialist
Dream Job: COO, same company
Sara says:
Current Job:Renewable Energy Research Associate
Dream Job: Public Office
Liz says:
Current Job: Foster Care Social Worker
Dream Job: Astronaut
juana says:
current job: defense reporter
dream job: embedded combat reporter.
SS says:
Current job: Grants Manager
Dream job: Professional philanthropist!
Who doesn’t want to have a ton of money and then spend all their time giving it away to worthwhile organizations?
H says:
Current job: unemployed law student
Dream job (which I’m so lucky to be starting in the fall): Assistant District Attorney
Elizabeth V says:
Current Job: Consultant
Dream Job: Lobbyist
SC says:
Current: executive assistant
Dream: head a corporate foundation
VC says:
Current Job: Director of Public Relations/Public Affairs
Dream Job: Director of Media Relations at the FCC
MWA says:
Current job: Congressional Scheduler
Dream job: Josh Lyman from The West Wing
Naomi says:
Current: Senate Staff Assistant
Dream: to be continued…
Caroline says:
Current Job: Executive/ Communications Assistant
Dream Job: GMA News Anchor
MG says:
Current Job: Independent Contractor, Public Affairs
Dream Job: FEC Commissioner
Sarah Joy says:
Current Job: Finance Director with a boutique fundraising firm
Dream Job: White House Social Secretary
Katherine says:
Current: attorney
Dream: Supreme Court Justice
Holly says:
Current job: Exec. Assistant
Dream job: FLOTUS
LK says:
Current: Economist
Dream: International Climate Policy Negotiator
E says:
Current: Policy Adviser
Dream: Writer for a television show
XF says:
Current: Policy Associate
Dream: Florida’s first female U.S. Senator
R says:
Current: Office Administrator
Dream: Senate Committee Chief Clerk
SS says:
Current: Reading Specialist
Dream: Wow–a toughie! Perhaps an award-winning novelist, who does author visits at schools and tutors in her free time?
Jennifer says:
Current: Scheduler
Dream: CEO of a Fundraising Firm for Political, Non-Profit, and Corporate Clients
KT says:
Current Job: Policy Analyst
Dream Job: Chief of Staff
Lexi says:
Current Title: Legislative Policy Analyst
Dream Title: Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense
cartascartas says:
Current Title: Associate (attorney at a firm)
Dream Job: Supreme Court Justice
KC says:
Current Job: Corporate Partnerships Associate Manager
Dream Job: President of the Washington Redskins Foundation
YM says:
current: Executive Assistant
dream: tbd
JS says:
Current Job: Analyst for Booz Allen Hamilton
Dream Job: To be discovered
Carissa says:
Current Job: Consultant
Dream Job; Foreign Service Office, Public Diplomacy
Amanda says:
Current Job: Real Estate Analyst
Dream Job: Executive Managing Director
Merideth VanSant says:
Hi Belle!
Current Job: Government Contractor: Current client site is the Department of Homeland Security
Dream Job: Owning my own consulting firm specializing in writing and copy editing.
Cait says:
Current Job:Associate Attorney
Dream Job: Travel Writer
EB says:
Current: Legislative Assistant
Dream Job: Anchor for Good Morning America or Entertainment Correspondent
Meaghan {for a song} says:
what an amazing (and valuable) idea for a give away. love it.
Current job- higher ed development
Dream job- owner of a furniture store (a la Good Wood
Thanks Belle!
Elise says:
Current job: Senate intern/grad student
Dream Job: Samantha Brown’s job 🙂
MKall says:
Current job: Quality Analyst
Dream job: Run my own coffee shop/music venue
JS says:
Current job: Government Proposal Analyst
Dream Job: Director of Communications
Liz H. says:
Current job: law student/legal intern
Dream job: Supreme Court justice
RS says:
Current Job: Associate attorney at law firm
Dream Job: Art gallery owner
Great idea – thanks!
Emily says:
Current: research analyst
Dream: Secretary of State
SDW says:
Current: Development Manager at a nonprofit
Dream: Chief Development Officer
Awesome giveaway!
Eleanor says:
Current: Law Firm Associate
Dream: General Counsel of Merck or Supreme Court Justice, preferably both, seriatim.
Raeefa says:
Current: Research Associate at an international market research firm
Dream: Running my own consulting/lobbying firm
Amanda says:
Current Job: Office Administrator
Dream Job: Senior Policy Analyst
Great giveaway! 🙂
Blair says:
Current job: Management consultant
Dream job: Commercia real estate developer
S says:
Current Job: Program Asssociate
Dream Job: Director of Development or Major Gifts Director
Michelle says:
Current job: Financial Analyst
Dream job: Artist (Painter) and/or run an at-home pet sitting service
Megan says:
Current Job: Production Assistant at local TV Studio Space
Dream Job: International Correspondent for a Major Network
Sonia says:
Current job: Foreign Service Officer
Dream job: Secretary of State! Or, more realistically, U.S. Ambassador to Russia
Kelly says:
Current Job: Account Representative
Dream Job: Chair, White House Council on Women and Girls
Megan A says:
Current: Program Analyst for the DoD
Dream: Foreign Policy Consultant
Jill says:
Current: Stay at home mom
Dream: White House Domestic Policy Council Director
I am loving this list of current/dream jobs!
Colli says:
Thanks for the giveaway, Belle!
Current Job: Health policy consultant
Dream Job: Senior staff member at HHS OR director of visiting collections for a major art museum
W says:
Current Job: Committee Staff Associate
Dream Job: Running an NGO for refugees in the Jordan
Laura says:
Current: Research Analyst
Dream: still figuring that out..
Nicole Goines says:
Current: Newly Unemployed
dream job: An United States House Representative
Britt says:
Current job: Law student
Dream job: Environmental Protection Agency General Counsel
er says:
Current job: Director of Federal Government Affairs
Dream job: Martha Stewart
Lynn says:
Current job: Program officer for a journalism non-profit
Dream job: Attorney practicing international law and media advocacy
Dana says:
Current Job: Environmental Protection Specialist
Dream Job: EPA Administrator
Vicky Bass says:
Current Job: Program analyst in chronic disease
Dream Job: CEO or Executive Director of a hospital system or health organization.
Jessica says:
Current job: House LD
Dream job: White House Social Secretary
Lindsey says:
Current job: Intelligence Analyst
Dream Job: Special Agent and Mom
Stephanie says:
Current Job – job-searching attorney, trying to work on the Hill:)
Dream Job – Good question – I used to think it was the Hill but my automatic first thought is Adoption Attorney.
Sophie says:
Current job: Paralegal
Dream job: Director of a legal aid organization
Meagan says:
Current: Director of Government Affairs
Dream: Chief of Staff to a Governor, then COS to POTUS.