GLUTTONOUS

Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg’s So-Called Feminist Advocacy Group, Seeks Unpaid Intern

WELL, THIS IS EMBARRASSING: Facebook’s billion-dollar-babe, executive Sheryl Sandberg, is being called out for seeking an unpaid intern for her Lean In organization.

“Wanted, Lean In editor-at-large Jessica Bennett posted Tuesday on her Facebook page, “Lean In editorial intern, to work with our editor (me) in New York. Part-time, unpaid, must be HIGHLY organized with editorial and social chops and able to commit to a regular schedule through end of year. Design and web skills a plus!

The irony of a much-ballyhooed female executive who’s dunned women to ‘lean in’ and work harder, has not been lost on the commentariat, who blew up Bennett’s Facebook page with snark and vitriol.

“Can you not see the hypocrisy?,” hissed Liv Pratez. “Lean In an organization about Women, Work and Leadership seeks an “intern” with skills and who can commit to a regular schedule. That’s not an internship, it’s exploitation. Pay your interns and the irony will be gone. Or ask for volunteers.”

“You think you’re doing these people a FAVOR?,” exclaimed Kari Jackson. “Oh, please… let me come bust my ass while making no money for what…the experience? Lean In…cause there’s a sucker born every minute.”

“You clearly must have some money coming in from Mommy and Daddy to even do this internship,” observed Key Shantel. “Dear broke people with student loans, do not even think about applying.”

And over at Valleywag, “AliHajiSheik” observed the unpaid internship “is a very effective way to filter out poors who might not be a good fit “culturally” without having to come out and say, children of poors need not apply.”

Bennett defended herself by claiming that “many people have reached out asking if they can volunteer - and specifically, intern. This was MY post, looking for a volunteer to help me in New York. LOTS of nonprofits accept volunteers. This was NOT an official Lean In job posting.” But others rightly pointed out that “volunteers” aren’t usually expected to have “editorial and social chops.”

The request for free help comes just days after Sandberg sold $91 million worth of Facebook stock.