Though women comprise more than half of the United States population, they are significantly underrepresented at all levels of government. Several studies aim to explain why, and all come to similar conclusions. Women are less likely to consider running for political office than men, they are less likely to be encouraged to run, and they often consider several factors like motherhood and gender stereotypes when making their decisions about whether to run.
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Sheryl Sandberg’s number one bestseller Lean In examines why women hold fewer than half of leadership positions despite graduating at higher rates from institutes of higher education. The book also sparked a nonprofit organization, leanin.org, to encourage and support women “leaning in” to their career goals. Sandberg also published Lean In: For Graduates, which includes new material intended for young people beginning their careers. With the one-year anniversary of our own MPA graduation fast approaching, thoughts are swirling about next steps, interviews, job hunting, and career tracks in public service leadership. Sandberg’s book focuses primarily on the private sector. Do “Lean In” issues affect women working in the public sector in the same way?
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