Taking the leap: Nini Marini on making bold career moves

Career transitions can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff—exciting, terrifying, and full of unknowns.

The upcoming She Leads 5 event titled Bold Career Moves – Shift or Stay? promises to offer a guiding hand for women at these pivotal moments, helping them navigate the delicate balance between passion, stability, and purpose.

At the heart of this event is Nini Marini, an artist who knows firsthand what it’s like to leave behind a corporate career to chase a dream. In her mid-40s, Nini leaped from a senior role at Media Prima to becoming a full-time artist, embracing a path filled with both uncertainty and fulfillment. It wasn’t easy, but she made it work—and now, she’s all set to share her story.

In her advice to young women considering career changes, Nini stressed the importance of patience and careful planning.

"Take your time when making these decisions. Never make them with emotion. You need to be calm and figure out what you truly need. Elevating yourself in a corporate career is one thing, and deciding what you want to do with your life is another," she said in an interview with Sinar Daily.

For her, finding a balance between financial stability and personal fulfillment is crucial.

"You are about to rock the boat. So, make sure your decision is calculated and planned," she added.

Nini's experience as a "late bloomer" offers valuable lessons to women of all ages. She admits that societal pressures often equate success with youth, but she challenges this narrative.

"I did it in my mid-40s, and I wish I had done it earlier so I had the energy to pursue my second career. But it is okay to be a late bloomer. We can still make an impact at 70 or 80," she said.

Reflecting on her career change, Nini recalls a pivotal moment when she realised she no longer enjoyed going to work. This dissatisfaction prompted her to pursue her passion for art.

"It was quite a big thing for me. As a creative person, I need to have layers of backup because sometimes it’s not the season for painting or teaching art. I figured out I need multiple forms of revenue, whether they work together or one at a time," she said.

The reality of balancing passion with financial necessity is a theme Nini understands well. During the Covid-19 pandemic, her well-laid plans for her artistic career fell through, forcing her to adapt.

"What I did was take a moment to explore different avenues of making money. That’s how I discovered textile weaving," she shares.

By learning new techniques and sharing them online, Nini was able to pivot her career and continue pursuing her artistic passions.

Commenting further, Nini hopes to see more balance and flexibility in the workforce, especially for women.

"We are multitaskers, and we need to be more fluent. Education is changing, so work should change too. We are in a new phase of the world, but we are still working in old ways," she said believing that the modern workforce should embrace flexibility in working hours and remote work options.

At She Leads 5, Nini plans to share her experiences candidly, offering "real answers" to the challenges of career transitions.

"I want to show the audience that not everything is perfect. There were times I thought I might need to go back because the money wasn’t there," she said.

Her transparency will provide a sense of comfort to attendees, equipping them with the knowledge that career changes, though difficult, are manageable with the right mindset and strategies.

Mark your calendars for Oct 29, 2024, from 2 pm to 6 pm, at Karangkraf, Shah Alam. The event promises a vibrant, interactive space where women can share, learn, and grow through real-life stories and expert advice.