After the IMMIGRANT SERIES - Steps to Start College in NYC blog post, a lot of you asked how did I afford all the paperwork, visa fees, English school, and, mostly, how I support myself living in NYC and how I afford college until I was legally able to work in the US. Well, to be completely honest, I had help. If it wasn't for my family's investment in me and my career, I wouldn’t be here right now.
I like to show that I am independent and I don’t ask my parents anything, but we all know that, at the beginning of adult life, everyone needs extra help. In my case, my family is the reason why I could achieve my dreams in the big apple. If you have read my very first blog post, BARBARA SESSIM?, you would know that I didn’t choose NYC. When my parents suggested that I should study abroad, I chose Argentina but, surprise, my parents decided to export me to NYC.
The most expensive and competitive city in the world was my parent's choice, which I’m obviously not complaining about, but they knew what they were getting into and, yet, they decided to kick me out of the house and send me to New York. Can’t say that they were always faithful that I would make in this city… the opposite. I believe that they sent me here so I could get my ass kicked, and learn that I can’t do anything without them and shouldn’t pursue a career in fashion (lol, but for real).
I never thought that my parents had bad intentions. I just know that they don’t understand what I do for a living and the fact that there is a real career (with money) behind the fashion industry. No mom and dad, architects, doctors, lawyers, and engineers are not the only careers where you have a real job and make money… I grew up on a farm and my family has been in business for three generations. It is understandable why my parents don’t get how the fashion industry works and how you can build a career in this field. That is one of the reasons why I always knew that I didn't have another option but to make my career work.
I never had any connections. From my very first internship in fashion school until now, I built my career on my own. I only made it because I was always open to meeting new people and creating a network. I used to work as a writer for a Brazilian blogger and, thanks to that opportunity, I went to a million tradeshows and made connections which, later on, led to my first internship. Something that I always say is that I hate fake modesty, so I admit that I take a lot of pride in building my career alone. But truth be told, my parents are the ones who opened the way for me to start.
I know that not everyone has the privilege of family help. Neither am I bragging about it! I would probably brag if I had made it without my parent's help, but that is not the case. One thing that I would love for you to understand is that: help is help! No matter where it is coming from. I know a lot of people who delayed their careers because they didn’t have any help and they needed to make money. So when I say that help is help, believe me, it is true even when you are helping yourself.
It might seem easy for me to say that, while most of you will probably think that I come from a privileged family, we all need help in the beginning and that is normal. No matter how you start, the important thing is to find a way! Focus on your long-term goals and, either you invested in yourself or you had help from someone else, make it work no matter what. There is no better way to show your gratitude than to become happy and successful at what you do.
Comments