In a world where gender bias still exists, there are women who prove that success knows no gender. One such woman is Sheryl Sandberg, a tech industry icon and advocate for women’s empowerment.
Her career has been a series of reinventions, taking on challenging roles in male-dominated fields and breaking through barriers. This is her story.
From Investment Banking to Google
Sandberg started her career in the finance industry, working for the World Bank and serving as Larry Summers’ chief of staff during the Clinton administration. But her passion for the tech sector led her to take a risk and join Google in 2000 when it was still a small startup.
Many of her mentors warned her against it, saying that it was too risky and that she should stick to investment banking. However, Sandberg’s unwavering belief in her aspirations and values pushed her to take the leap.
“I think the hardest one that felt the riskiest was going to Google, so it was 2000. And the tech bubble had burst and Google was a consumer internet company with 200 people.” Sandberg said in an interview with Forbes.
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“And while everyone, no one admits this. Now, lots of people, people I really respected and looked up to as mentors, said to me, you can’t go to Google. That’s a tech company. Go be an investment banker. But I really wanted to work in the tech sector and I really wanted to work at an operating company. I think that, going to things you really believe in, whether they seem obvious or not, is the most important.
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Balancing Family and Career
Sandberg, like many other women, struggled to balance her demanding career with her family responsibilities. She admits to feeling unbalanced during her early days at Facebook, where she currently serves as COO. But she gradually found her footing, developed her teams, and learned how to manage her time better. According to her, saying “no” to some things was crucial to maintaining balance in her life.
“You know, when I first was at Facebook I was definitely feeling way unbalanced and you know, more worried about not seeing my kids. And then I kind of got my feet wet, got the teams in place and learned, you know, what we were doing,” Sandberg said
Making a Mark in Politics
Sandberg’s experience working in Washington helped her develop her leadership skills and understand the intersection of policy and business. Her time at the Treasury during the Asian financial crisis taught her to identify what is essential and prioritize accordingly. This experience prepared her to set policies that impact millions of people when she became a leader in the tech industry.
Empowering Women and Building Relationships in DC
As an advocate for women’s empowerment, Sandberg believes in the importance of building relationships with policymakers and governments to effect change. She acknowledges that Silicon Valley has historically been late to engage with the world around them, but she sees a shift towards greater engagement and understanding.
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She hopes that more companies will prioritize their relationships with policymakers and help advance important policies that affect millions of people.
Sheryl Sandberg’s story is one of resilience, determination, and passion. She has defied the odds and broken through barriers to become one of the most influential women in tech. Her advocacy for women’s empowerment and her commitment to building relationships in DC demonstrate her leadership qualities and her desire to make a positive impact on the world.
