[roedog]

But those other big companies with unpaid internships didn't publish a book about how they believe in empowering individuals (albeit women individuals in this case). Some finger pointing seems warranted in that her company's actions do not match her words...

[bmmayer1]

Empowering women and unpaid internships are not mutually exclusive. In fact, you could say that unpaid internships are extremely empowering, because it gives the prospective employee on the job training that they wouldn't get if they were unemployed.

[roedog]

Well, if Sandberg takes that position in her book then she shouldn't deserve finger pointing I suppose. But since she talks about leveling the playing field in the workforce and fixing the salary gender gap is part of that I'd say she believes that cash money is a key source of empowerment.

[moocowduckquack]

"you could say that unpaid internships are extremely empowering"

You can say lots of things. Doesn't make them true. If the prospective employee needs to eat this month, unpaid internships can be as empowering as they like, however the prospective employee will not be able to indulge themselves.

[auctiontheory]

You could also say that unpaid internships at fancy employers empower only those with parents able to foot the bill for their "on the job training."

Those who need to work to pay the rent will never be empowered to get on that ladder. The government does not offer "unpaid internship loans."