Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit: Jessica Alba Shares Career Advice with High School Girls

When Jessica Alba and her co-founders started The Honest Company, they envisioned creating a company that was not only a business but also a community. In doing so, they made giving back their mission. So, Jessica was humbled and doubly honored when selected as one of Fortune’s 10 Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs and asked to speak to and mentor the high school seniors from Camp Pendleton at this year’s Most Powerful Women Summit.

At the Notebook Mentoring Session, about 30 women from business, government, academia, philanthropy, the arts, and sports—including Soledad O’Brien, Christy Turlington Burns, and Billie Jean King—gathered to provide career advice to our next generation of women leaders. The event kicked off with a “surprise” interview, where Fortune Editor-at-Large Pattie Sellers sat down to chat with Jessica about what she learned along the way from being a daughter in a military family (much like the girls in attendance) to becoming an actress to transforming a personal experience as a mother into a company.

 “I want to be a superhero,” shared Jessica, as she explained how she wanted to break the Hollywood mold by portraying strong, smart, diverse, and feminine women—a community not often represented in pop culture. Next, she offered advice to Bailey about transitioning to non-active duty family life. First, second, fourth, and fifth photos by Krista Kennell/Fortune Most Powerful Women 2012.

In her talk with Pattie, Jessica shared advice about not letting labels or insecurities limit you, empowerment, following your passion, finding a great support system in your family, and surrounding yourself with people who are inspirational. When asked about the best business advice, Jessica said: “Partner with people that are smarter than you, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and surround yourself with people that complement your strengths, but could support your weaknesses.”

Second and third photos by by Krista Kennell/Fortune Most Powerful Women 2012.

Following the interview, the high school girls got to sit down one-on-one with their mentors for the next hour. They were nothing but smiles and avid note takers, as they sought personal and career advice.

When a photo opp presented itself, Jessica couldn’t resist having fun with the group. She proudly shows off the mentors and high school students that participated in the session.

At the end of the mentoring session, the positive excitement in the room was palpable and awe inspiring—and not just for the students. High School senior Madyson told us, “All the information shared by the mentors has its own flavor, it helps you realize what you need to do, and it’s really inspirational.” While Mentor Billie Jean King said, “One of the three basic things I talk to young people about is being a problem solver. And that is what Jessica Alba is, that is what makes a difference and changes the world. It’s great that she shared her story.” Full disclosure: We were beyond excited to meet Billie Jean King and be in the presence of other groundbreaking women who are making profound impacts and driving change. Talk about starstruck!

Creating lasting memories and taking mental notes.

We think everyone went home with new ideas to transform the world for the better and new friends (we did!).

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