Engineering manager tells us why books matter to her

We are featuring Book Club community member Selu Gupta this month. She shared her input on our community survey and is the lucky winner of our promotional drawing. She’s also a kick ass woman in tech. Check out her story.

Q: Congratulations, Selu! You’ve won one hundred bucks at everyone’s favorite bookstore, Powell’s. What’s the first book you’re going to buy with your cold hard cash?

A: Thank you so much! I am SO excited! What a perfect way to kick-off the new year. My first book is going to be a tough decision - given how long my book wish list is right now!  But if I were to narrow it down, it would be The Light we Carry, by Michelle Obama or The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing and the Future of the Human Race, by Walter Isaacson.

Q: Tell us more about yourself. We know you’re a woman in tech but for those in our community who are just getting to know you, please introduce yourself.

A: Yes! I’m proud to be a woman in tech! I have recently completed 22 years at Tektronix and my current job title is Hardware Engineering Manager. I started at Tektronix as an Electrical Engineering intern and after completing my Master’s degree, started my career there as an Electrical Hardware Design Engineer.

Selu Gupta

Over the course of 20 years, I worked on test and measurement product development and design, probes for oscilloscopes, arbitrary waveform generators and oscilloscopes. And then a couple of years ago I took a detour into management, and I think it was the best decision I could have made. In this role I get to influence and develop the careers of other engineers and help improve processes.

I am also the co-founder of the Women in Technology (WIT) employee resource group at Tektronix, the first of its kind in the company’s 75+ years focused on networking, community and collaboration. While no longer leading WIT, I’ve taken on the role of leading the Womxn’s Alliance Leadership Council (WALC) at our parent company Fortive. This allows me to continue to be a strong advocate for womxn, especially in STEM.

And my story would not be complete without mentioning that I am also a Breast Cancer survivor.  Ironically, it was my tech brain needing “real data” that led to a (forced?) request for a mammogram and my diagnosis last year.

Q: Why did you become a member of the Story Changes Culture Book Club? Why is a Book Club primarily designed for women in tech and media important to you?

“I have been a fan of The Chasing Grace Project, and I feel that the Story Changes Culture Book Club spotlights books that I don’t already know about and that inspire food for thought. Being able to discuss with women in tech is a bonus, because I think women in tech bring a very unique perspective to our shared reality.”

Q: What has been your favorite pick so far (Pretty Bitches, Big Magic or 12 Bytes) and why?

A: I enjoyed Pretty Bitches the most. I have always appreciated and respected the power of words, but the stories in this book took everything to a whole other level. I related to so much of the content, having lived through some of it and it made me really appreciate how a single word can have so much emotional depth.

Q: More than 700 people responded to our survey and we heard loud and clear that members want more picks more often. We’re announcing a new pick every month and increasing the genres from which we choose. Why do you think a monthly pick is good? What genres do you like?

A: I think a monthly pick is good because, personally speaking, it makes me ensure that I take time for myself and read regularly. Also, the opportunity to read more diverse book selections is great. I love reading. Period. However, my favorite genres (currently) would be non-fiction/biographies, sci-fi and historical fiction. 

Q: What do you love about reading books? What’s the best book you’ve read recently and why?

A: As a born introvert, I have always found solace and comfort in books. Their ability to transport us away from our reality and spark new synapses in our brain is priceless. I’m old school: I love books in print and the thrill of turning paper pages. Powell’s Book Store is like therapy for me. The best book I’ve read recently would have to be The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig.  It was one of those books that I couldn't put down but one that I wanted to read slowly so that it wouldn't end and I could savor it and absorb all the little gems that were in the book. It really made me think a lot about life and the choices we make and how happiness, success, contentment are all subjective and they are what we define them to be. Our life is our own and it is too short to waste on negative emotions. [Easier said than done, of course.]

“The best book I’ve read recently would have to be The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig. It was one of those books that I couldn’t put down, but one that I wanted to read slowly so that it wouldn’t end and I could savor it and absorb all the little gems that were in the book.”

Q: Will we meet you at a Story Changes Culture Book Club virtual event or perhaps our annual party we’ll be putting on late this year?

A: Yes! Absolutely!