It's a relief to see women "leaning in" to their careers rather than stepping out. Yesterday, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg gave the commencement speech at Barnard and urged the grads to keep going for the big jobs -- a message she started preaching in 2009 in a piece she wrote for Fortune, "Don't leave before you leave."  Sandberg noted yesterday that women "almost never make one decision to leave the workforce...They make small little decisions along the way." She advised: "Do not lean back; lean in." To see Sandberg on video, click here. Or you can read the full text of her talk at Barnard by clicking here.

Been finding my route and one that my passion lies. I want to work hard at it and add value to people's lives. That's the main point of a job and a career, adding value. Been looking for inspirations and finding out what it means for women today, to be finding satisfaction in her job and to drive her career or to focus on family and be more domesticated. More importantly to be within his will.


Part of an her main letter. Found here.
http://www.barnard.edu/headlines/facebook-executive-barnard-graduates-world-needs-you-run-it


In fact, it was Sandberg's out-of-the-blue phone call from Mexico, where she was celebrating her 40th birthday with old girlfriends, that led to this piece. "I want to write something called "Don't Leave Before You Leave," about young women cutting back their career ambition, and would you consider running it your Most Powerful Women issue?" she asked me over a static-y cell connection. I immediately said "Yes" because I knew Sandberg's commitment to encouraging the next generation of women leaders. (Her home dinner gatherings of established and up-and-coming women are sought-after invites in Silicon Valley.) I also knew Sandberg to be an adept juggler of family and career. What I didn't know: She can write. So here is Sheryl Sandberg's "Don't Leave Before You Leave," the unedited version: