Shalu Chawla, originally from India, came to the United States in the early 2000s in pursuit of her Master’s degree in Computer Systems. After graduating from Northeastern University in 2009, Shalu remained in Massachusetts, where she has since excelled in the technology industry. After a decade of growth in this industry, Shalu is proud to bear the title of a Quality Assurance Engineer and Analyst and have an extensive portfolio of projects under her belt. Adding to her work portfolio is her lengthy list of technical skills, including automated testing tools, visualization tools and multiple technical languages such as Java SQL.
In recent years, Shalu has returned to her academic roots, giving back to the educational system as a STEM tutor. It is difficult to imagine where Shalu might be in her career if she hadn’t taken the leap to pursue an education in the United States and grow her network here. Education and technology are two diverse fields that continue to merge as new innovations are made, and she is proud to boast involvement in these integrated fields.
Upon moving to the United States, Shalu was introduced to an entirely different landscape and culture than what she had grown up experiencing. However, since her move, she has deliberately explored her backyard and beyond, subsequently developing a large passion for travel. Having raised her children here, she has made the intentional decision to explore the country with them, allowing them various opportunities that she always dreamt of in her youth. From taking them to Disneyworld to exploring more of Massachusetts, Shalu is thankful for each trip she has been able to embark on with her family and the memories they have made together.
As a result of her upbringing and as a means to reduce anxiety, Shalu has also taken up the art of meditation. Wellness has become a favorite pastime of Shalu’s, from taking daily walks to elaborate hikes. Meditation remains Shalu’s favorite way to connect with herself and mindfully reflect on her heart’s desires, reviving her sleeping spirit.
To stay updated with Shalu, follow her LinkedIn and Twitter!
Our Interview With Shalu Chawla
What’s the most important thing we should know about you?
I am a very humble person who focuses on getting the job done. My background is in engineering so naturally I am a problem solver. This along with time management is the most important thing that defines my work habits. On a personal level, the most important thing is my family and going to ice hockey games for my kids and not to miss it is very important to me.
Name the most impactful lesson you learned from failure.
The most important lesson I learned from failure is to “celebrate the try”. It makes us who we are, which is more resilient and adaptable.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am proud of my accomplishment of being given equal time to be successful at my workplace and raising my family with love at the same time.
What did you waste the most time on when you were first starting your career?
I wasted a lot of time earlier in my career when I was trying different options and some of the options I wanted to pursue required a Green Card which I did not have at that time. I finally find my passion in software engineering and Quality Assurance and I focused on that path.
Name a tool you use for work that you can’t live without.
I would say a time management tool like Outlook where I plan my calendar days and week in advance and use it to not miss a meeting and an appointment.
What is your favorite hobby and why?
My favorite hobbies are reading and hiking with friends. That makes me go to my happy place and unwind myself.
What excited you the most about your industry right now?
Ever changing pace of technology with the move to Cloud Computing and focus on Mobile excites me the most. API testing is another area where I love learning and doing the work
What concerns you most about your industry right now?
With the Pandemic, the IT industry is changing and all are adapting. My concern is that over time some of the practices that make us more effective like remote work and flexibility might again go back to not as flexible once we define that new normal.
What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?
Decision to leave India and move to the states after marriage with not a lot of knowledge of what to expect is the greatest risk I ever took. It all worked out for good.
Name one small habit that positively impacts your productivity.
Time Management and planning is the habit that definitely help with my productivity
What tips do you have for getting a seat at the table?
Be honest and trust your instincts plus bring a right mindset will get you a seat on the table.
What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
“Designing Destiny” by Heartfullness Guide Kamlesh Patel
Do you value intelligence or common sense more? Why?
I would say both as Intelligence has its place to do things in a smart way plus common sense is also important when you look between right and wrong.
What would you consider to be the perfect day?
A perfect day for me is when I was able to get my ToDo list done for the day, and able to meditate and spend time with my family.
