For those of you wondering what exactly happened in all this time, saying the words "a lot" is quite the understatement.
Lets start where we left off: May 2012. I graduated from Parsons the New School for Design, but still had a few courses left which I had yet to complete to attain my diploma. I took 3 classes during that summer, and really took the time to enjoy NYC as I had spent the last year and a half almost completely between the confines of school, work and the New York garment district. Apart from Midtown West and the Financial District, I had barely seen anything else. From learning to surf in Far Rockaway, to shopping in Soho and taking classes at the Joffrey Ballet School, I did it all. I fell in love with the city, one in which I had become someone I could be proud of and yet knew so little about.
My room mate and I both spent a few hours a day applying for jobs that summer. Progress was slow and disheartening, as the entire fashion industry seems to slow down during these hazy summer months. But along came September, and I found myself working as a Design Assistant with a Couture Designer. I was thrilled! I had done it, right? Right?
Not so fast there Rohma. I still had much to learn. Despite putting my heart and soul into work, and not taking any weekends off, I was not receiving the professionalism and appreciation I yearned for. And after a month of working, I quit my job. This experience, was yet another lesson for me: it taught me the importance of finding the right workplace and culture to foster the professional and personal growth I craved. So it was back to the job boards for me.
Many interviews later, I found myself sitting at my dream company: Giorgio Armani New York. I somehow nailed the interview for a Wholesale position, and walked out feeling elated. Did that really just happen? Could I actually have a chance to work at a place where I had only ever dreamed of? I didn't have to wonder long, for they sent me an offer letter that very evening.
Despite my joy, I was anxious about one last, but extremely important detail: my offer was contingent upon the fact that my work permit arrived in time for a start date which happened to be only 30 days away. Yet another waiting game. But the deadline was soon upon me, and my permit was nowhere in sight. I was gutted and heartbroken. I somehow collected myself and informed Armani (yes, Armani) that I was not going to be able to take up the position.
New York really is about the survival of the fittest. The city knocks you down repeatedly, only to see how many times you will be able to pick yourself up. I did. After spending a week moping about my tiny apartment, I started searching high and low for an internship to keep myself busy with - something productive to fill my resume and preserve my sanity.
Due to the competitive nature of the fashion industry, almost all fashion internships require you to obtain school credit. This helps ensure that students in fashion school have a greater chance of being able to land an internship, which for many institutions is a degree requirement. I reached out to my previous supervisor at Carolina Herrera, asking if there was any help needed in the office, and being the amazing people that they are, I found myself once again interning at Carolina Herrera, this time in the Product Development department (I will write more about the actual internship in a later post).
I was delighted to be busy again, doing what I love with some of my favorite people in the industry. A month into my internship, I received yet another call from Giorgio Armani, asking the progress of my work permit (still nowhere in sight). They had another position opening up and they wanted me for it. Turning down Armani a second time really takes a lot out of you. I promised them that I would update them on its progress as soon as I got any news. Being the kind, considerate and caring company that Armani is, the HR lady comforted me and assured me that my honesty and openness about my work permit status was highly appreciated and that she wanted to be kept informed of any new developments.
Then, in early December, I received heartbreaking news: Homeland Security has rejected my application for a work permit, and I had 60 days to leave the country.
The finality of the decision hit me hard. I had worked 7 years towards this dream of succeeding in the NYC fashion industry, and despite meeting every single requirement, I failed on the part of being born within the USA. Knowing your birthplace is the determinant of the success of your dreams is a difficult pill to swallow. I was more worthy of my dream job, but it went to someone else all because I happen to be born somewhere else. I was truly disillusioned.
I quit my Carolina Herrera internship at the end of December and spent the next month packing up my entire life. There was so much to do and so little time, and I was constantly on the verge of tears.
In February 2013, I got on a flight to my hometown: Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I cried my eyes out during take off, saying good bye to my dreams, my city and my life.
My feelings of hopelessness and depression were overwhelming at first, but with the love and support of my friends and family, I have now regained the strength to fight for my dreams again. So what if I fell? I know that with determination, focus, passion and hard-work I will overcome my hurdles and emerge even stronger than before. Its been 3 months since my arrival in Dubai and although I am still looking to break into the Dubai fashion industry, I know that I will find a way. After all, if I can make it in New York, I know I can make it anywhere else in the world.
So thank you Parsons and NYC for giving me that confidence, determination and for teaching me to work even harder when hard work isn't enough. I know I will return someday, but until then, my 2 years in NYC and everything I learned will stay with me forever.
