Meet Niharika Jain

We recently connected with Niharika Jain and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Niharika, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I think so I got the inspiration to be resilient from my father. He was the one who would always try and focus on the things that he could control and motivate himself or anyone else too to continue working hard to overcome difficulties in life. I have also realized this that this is a part and parcel of life. Every difficulty or challenge that you encounter is a journey itself and it allows you to become more stronger. Having said that, it is not always the best feeling when you encounter these situations. For me there were a lot of times where I encountered difficulties.

Being introverted and also as someone who was bullied as a kid, my confidence was always low. As I grew it took me sometime to become tougher as every difficulty made me lose my confidence again. One of the toughest situations in my life was when after my masters I was still struggling to find a job whereas most of my peers had already secured a job. I was still a student and was still financially dependent on my parents. During my masters I did a career switch where I switched from being a software engineer to being an 3D animator/technical artist. I had to leave a secure job to do the career switch and leave my family, country behind to come to a new country and try and pick up new skills while getting used to a new culture and environment. Everyone in my family except for my father had doubts on whether this is the right decision I was making. But my father encouraged me to not to have any regrets in my life and if I am really passionate about something I should definitely go ahead and try it. I decided to shut down the outside negative voices and along with my inner negative ones and decided to not give up and try it.

But when I was struggling to find a job those negative thoughts came back to me where I started doubting myself and the decision I made of coming here to change my career path. I would lose my confidence everyday at that point wondering if I am even capable of the roles I am applying to. But I would try and find motivation and would look back upon my father’s words saying that you have to become tough and sometimes become deaf to the negative voices that try to discourage. There were lot of days where it was hard to find motivation to continue working or studying to become better. On top of this I would feel guilty if I had to borrow more money from my parents as I would often question if I am wasting their money or even disappointing them.

But then I started focusing on what I could do, if I could enhance my skills and continue working hard, I will land somewhere. I just have to toughen up and motivate myself to keep focusing. That’s what allowed me to keep working harder and walking on my path as I did realize that the best way to overcome difficulties is to keep going forward and facing them head on. There were lot of times where I would be demotivated and lose hope but then that would leave me nowhere. It is also important to identify at this time what you could do and what is out of control as the things that are out of our hands, we have to often keep them aside and then direct all energy and focus on the things that we could do. This was a tough phase for me and once I found a job , any difficulties I faced after I applied the same thinking that I should focus on doing what is in my hand.

I would still go through dark phases where I would lose hope and confidence in myself. But then whenever I would encounter a new situation I think so I had learned a lot from previous experiences that allowed me to fight any new difficulties and overcome challenges.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m currently a technical artist in the games industry. Originally from India, I spent three years as a software engineer after completing my bachelor’s in Computer Science. Since childhood, I’ve had a deep passion for art—painting, sketching, and dancing. These were not just hobbies but different ways for me to express and unwind.

As the gaming and animated film industries began to flourish in India, my interest in understanding their creation grew. Recognizing my true passion, I made the pivotal decision to transition careers. I embarked on a journey to the USA for my master’s degree at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center. There, I delved into the realm of 3D art, discovering a profound sense of purpose in using this medium to tell stories across diverse platforms.

Grateful for the opportunity, my coursework exposed me to a range of projects—from VR and AR experiences to animatronics for amusement parks—fueling my enthusiasm and drive to continually expand my skills. Combining my love for movies with newfound appreciation for gaming, I honed in on Rigging, Character FX, and animation, eagerly mastering new tools and techniques.

In my career, I’ve contributed to significant projects including three AAA game titles—WWE 2K22, WWE 2K23, and WWE 2K24. Additionally, I took pride in my involvement with an animated short film inspired by Guam mythology, which I co-created within a tight three-month timeline as part of a student initiative. You can view the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRZ0_Pxw8lI

For a glimpse into my portfolio showcasing both personal and professional work, please visit: https://niharikajain.myportfolio.com/home.

This journey has been a testament to my dedication to continuous learning and passion for leveraging art and technology to create compelling narratives.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that have profoundly shaped my journey are resilience, continuous learning, and consistent practice.

These qualities have been crucial in my progress, not only because I recognized their importance along the way, but also because they played a pivotal role in getting me to where I am today. Practice is undeniably vital; it applies to every new skill learned, providing insights into practical applications and deepening understanding, whether it’s a new software or programming language.

For those embarking on their journey, I encourage passion-driven pursuit of learning and exploration. Challenges encountered should not discourage, but rather be seen as opportunities to focus on actionable steps forward.

Maintaining motivation is key in avoiding procrastination. Surrounding your workspace with motivational elements helps uplift during moments of doubt or difficulty. It’s important to be kind to oneself amidst the learning process, acknowledging setbacks as part of the journey without letting them deter progress.

Personally, I find inspiration in an art-filled workspace, curated with pieces from favorite artists, which serves as a constant reminder to stay motivated. If focus wanes, taking a break for a simple activity like cooking can provide the needed recharge before diving back into the journey with renewed vigor.

These practices have helped me overcome obstacles and continue forward, ensuring that temporary setbacks don’t derail long-term progress.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I have developed a few strategies to help me relax and regain my focus. If I find myself overwhelmed with a specific task or activity, I take a break from it. Instead, I engage in activities that soothe me, such as watercolor painting, sketching, or crocheting. These creative pursuits help me find my balance again. It’s crucial to find relaxation techniques that work for you personally, as they can vary from person to person. For instance, taking long walks in nature is another effective way for me to take a mental break.

It’s easy to get caught up in work and forget to take breaks, which can lead to feeling overwhelmed or stressed. I find it helpful to regularly step away from work and engage in activities that clear my mind. One effective strategy is to write down what is causing me to feel overwhelmed and identify actionable steps I can take to address those challenges. It’s also important to acknowledge and accept what aspects are beyond my control. This exercise has proven to be very effective in alleviating my stress and lightening my mental load.

Recently, I’ve also found solace in spending time with my newly adopted dog. Taking care of him and enjoying his company is another wonderful way for me to decompress and find joy amidst busy times.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://niharikajain.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: @niharikajain821
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niharika-jain-2806b8156/

Image Credits

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