Writing this blog seems too good to be true because that means my dream, the one I have had since I was a kid, is now a reality….
When I was younger and someone would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I never hesitated with my answer: my Mom. When people ask me the same question today, even at the age of 22, I still answer: my Mom. I have admired and strived to be like her since I could walk – I’m not exaggerating. She’s a total “New Yorker” especially when she walks (New Yorkers are notorious for walking extremely fast), so I had to learn to keep up with her!
My Mom is the middle child of five girls, so you can imagine how crazy their house got. She excelled in school and paid her way through college, graduating from NYU’s Stern School of Business with a degree in Accounting. Back then, what is now known as the “Big Four” public accounting firms, was the Big Eight and my Mom received job offers from all of them (now it may make sense why I am so competitive). She joined Arthur Andersen after her graduation, became a CPA, and met my Dad there (who is also a CPA) at a Christmas work party in …..don’t worry, Mom – I won’t say the year!
Presently, my Mom is the Associate Publisher/General Manager of Harper’s Bazaar – a fashion magazine owned by the Hearst Corporation located in the world-famous Hearst Tower in New York City (300 W 57th Street for anyone who may be in NYC and wants to know the exact location – make sure to look up to the 25th floor and wave! You might see my Mom looking out over Central Park). To say I am so proud to call her not only my Mom, but my best friend is such an understatement. She has worked so hard to get to where she is in life. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard, “Your Mom is the best at what she does” or, my personal favorite because she is truly more than just a businesswoman, “Your Mom is the best person, you are so lucky.” I love introducing myself as “Anne Welch’s daughter” because people automatically know that I was raised by a strong, loving, supportive and motivating woman.
My Mom commutes and stays overnight in NYC three days of the week, a routine that’s been in existence in our family since before I can remember. To hear the phrase “Mom is in the city” is almost as natural as breathing to me. You know how you can tell which one of your parents is home by their footsteps and movements? Well, nothing would beat hearing the door open late Thursday nights because I knew it was Mom coming home by the way she’d open the door. She has sacrificed so much to be able to give my family the most amazing life.
As I mentioned in my previous blogs, NYC is my most favorite place in the world. I have worked so hard in the classroom and in extracurricular activities in hopes to one day be able to join my Mom in NYC and follow in her footsteps. Last week, I was fortunate enough to receive an offer from one of the Big Four accounting firms, KPMG, to become an Associate in their New York City Deal Advisory practice. I am happy to say I have accepted this opportunity and will be officially moving there at end of this summer to begin my professional career.
Funny enough, I will be working on the same block my Mom began her career which is only two blocks away from where she works now. She started at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, and I’ll be reporting to work at 1350 Avenue of the Americas! Like mother, like daughter, right?
Hopefully, she’ll see me waving from her window!
God is GOOD!
