WREN Spotlight: Rin’s Journey from Global Marketing to Engineering a Greener Future

Meet Rin—electrical engineering honours student, former global marketer, mother of two, and passionate advocate for climate action. Her story is one of bold reinvention, unwavering purpose, and the power of pursuing what truly aligns with your values.

Rin’s pathway into STEM wasn’t linear—and that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring.

After graduating in 2008 with a double degree in Science and Commerce (Marketing) from the University of New South Wales, Rin spent nearly a decade carving out a successful career in the health sector. From working with global giants like Colgate-Palmolive to immersing herself in San Francisco’s health startup scene, Rin’s early career was nothing short of dynamic.

But life, as it tends to do, shifted.

After returning to Australia with her husband and a baby on the way, Rin began reflecting on how she was spending her time—and what impact she wanted to have on the world. “When you have a family, your time becomes so precious,” she says. “If I’m going to spend time away from my kids, I want to make it meaningful.”

It was during this time that Rin made the bold decision to go back to university—this time to pursue a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with Honours at the University of Wollongong.

Her motivation? Climate change.

“I wanted to be part of the solution—not just market the message. I looked into where I could have the biggest impact, and the answer was electrification powered by renewables. That’s where electrical engineers come in.”

Electrical engineering is known to be one of the toughest disciplines—and Rin doesn’t shy away from admitting it. “It’s hardcore. So much maths, so much problem-solving. But I love it. And I believe in why I’m doing it.”

Despite starting during the turbulence of COVID (while homeschooling her), Rin has thrived. She’s now working part-time at the Australian Power Quality and Reliability Centre (APQRC), a consulting and research group that serves major electricity network providers like Transgrid and Endeavour Energy. She’s contributing to real-world projects, including a cutting-edge microgrid funded by the NSW government. Her thesis aligns with this work, focusing on energy transition challenges and solutions.

The most striking part of Rin’s story isn’t just the career pivot—it’s the calm confidence she exudes in navigating male-dominated environments.

“There are very few women in electrical engineering,” she says. “But I’ve had a pretty good experience. Being in my mid-30s, I don’t worry about what people think. I know my worth. But I can see how intimidating it could be if I were younger.”

She emphasizes how important it is to encourage young women to take a leap into STEM—even if they’re not perfect.

“We’ve sent the message to girls that unless you’re great at math, engineering isn’t for you. But boys enroll in engineering all the time without being amazing at math—and they still land the high-paying jobs. Women need to stop holding ourselves to perfection before we even begin.”

And Rin is walking proof of what happens when we give ourselves permission to begin—even if it’s messy, hard, or unconventional.

She closes with this powerful reflection:

“Confidence doesn’t mean knowing everything. It’s being okay with learning as you go.”

At WREN, we’re so proud to spotlight women like Rin who are reshaping the narrative of who belongs in STEM. Her story is a reminder that it’s never too late to pivot, to lead with purpose, and to design a future that reflects your values.