Career Paths: Malevi Manenti, OneLearn Global

Malevi’s advice is refreshingly simple yet powerful: don’t wait for the “perfect” moment; there isn’t one. Real progress starts the moment you take that first step. Along the way, she reminds us to stay curious, practice kindness, and never stop learning – a mindset that has guided her own remarkable journey.

SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined the shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?

Malevi Manenti: My career path hasn’t been linear; it has evolved over time through a transformative journey, with each step connecting like pieces of a puzzle. With a background in education and adult learning, I entered the maritime industry in 2016 to design impactful training solutions that address the real needs of seafarers. Every milestone, from instructional design to leadership positions, has shaped my purpose: to transform maritime learning into an immersive, learner-centered experience.

S4S: What about your current job/role most excites you and why?

M.M.: The maritime industry never stands still, and that constant evolution is what excites me most. Every project brings a new challenge from developing immersive courses to integrating AI and gamification. But the real reward comes when learners share how our training helped them think differently or act safer. That’s when learning turns into impact.

S4S: What is the best and what was the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given, and why?

M.M.: The best advice I’ve ever received is to stay outside your comfort zone. Growth rarely happens when things feel easy, and every new challenge, even the uncomfortable ones, has opened doors I didn’t know existed. As for the worst advice, it was to “wait until the timing is right.” In reality, there is no perfect timing. Progress begins the moment you start moving forward.

S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, or money) you’ve ever made?

M.M.: Without question, investing in learning. Whether through formal education, mentoring, or self-development, every new skill or insight has shaped how I lead, create, and make decisions. Continuous learning keeps me adaptable and curious: two qualities that are essential in a fast-evolving industry like maritime. Knowledge truly compounds over time.

S4S: If you could give a piece of advice to your 18-year-old self, what would it be and why? What piece of advice should you ignore?

M.M.: I would tell my younger self not to be afraid of taking risks or making mistakes. Every challenge, even the ones that didn’t go as planned, shaped my character and built the resilience I rely on today. As Carol Dweck explains in her work on the growth mindset, success comes from persistence and learning, not perfection. Thomas Edison once said he found thousands of ways that didn’t work before inventing the light bulb. I truly believe that every “failure” holds that same power to teach. I would remind myself that progress matters more than perfection and ignore any advice to follow a fixed path. The most rewarding journeys are the ones that evolve as you do.

S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your business life?

M.M.: In the last few years, I have realized that consistency is far more powerful than intensity. Building small, meaningful routines has made a real difference. From listening to audiobooks while driving to working out almost every morning before work or preparing healthy meals in advance. These habits keep my mind focused, my energy steady, and my perspective fresh. They have shown me that discipline creates personal growth leading to success. The more consistent I am in my personal routines, the more focused and creative I become professionally.

S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically, and why?

M.M.: I would like to see a shift from compliance to competence. Too often, training is treated as a checklist, something to be completed rather than experienced. True safety and performance come from understanding, application, and mindset. If the industry moves beyond “tick-the-box” training toward genuine competence-based development, we’ll see better results, safer operations, and more empowered crews.

S4S: What is your personal motto?

M.M.: Stay curious, stay kind, and never stop learning. Curiosity keeps us growing, kindness keeps us grounded, and continuous learning keeps us relevant. In a fast-evolving industry like maritime, those three qualities have been my compass both professionally and personally.

The views presented are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.