From Istanbul to New York: Nejla Gul-Saglam’s Inspiring Path to Schooling and Empowerment

When Turkish native Nejla Gul-Saglam started her journey in Pc Programming at Sakarya College, in Turkey, again in 2007, she didn’t but know what number of instances her desires would evolve—and be examined. Right now, as a full-time engineering administration skilled, mom, and proud 2025 graduate of the Grasp of Engineering in Engineering Administration from CU Boulder, Nejla’s story is one in all resilience, help, and adaptableness in her relentless pursuit to additional her training.

A Ardour for Educating, Shifted

Nejla’s profession started in tech, however her coronary heart had all the time been drawn to educating. Influenced by her grandparents, she first pursued an affiliate diploma in pc programming and later enrolled in a bachelor’s diploma program with the hopes of changing into a instructor. Whereas pursuing her bachelor’s, she started to satisfy her dream by educating at a nonprofit group in Istanbul. Nonetheless, she knew that to be able to transfer ahead, she wanted to finish her diploma.

Amidst the beginning of her expertise as a instructor, and shortly after marrying her husband, Nejla discovered she was pregnant, briefly placing her desires on maintain. Her husband’s work required him to maneuver between the USA and Turkey, a state of affairs that will solely turn out to be more difficult with a new child within the image. So, with simply three courses remaining in her bachelor’s diploma program, her life started to shift. 

Beginning Over, One Course at a Time

“Once we arrived within the U.S., I used to be conscious that it was not gonna be simple to realize acceptance, particularly as a girl who was coming from a very completely different tradition,” Nejla remembers. “However I by no means stopped believing. It has all the time been my dream to check overseas, expertise world-class training, discover new cultures, and construct bridges between completely different cultures.”

Decided to adapt and thrive, Nejla found new studying alternatives on Coursera. “I used to be seeking to discover a place the place I might add significant worth, regardless of my English expertise being very fundamental.” With this objective in thoughts, Nejla refined her English expertise on Coursera, all whereas taking courses in enterprise and pc science, too. “I signed up for lots of courses—perhaps greater than 200!” she recounts. 

What began as an effort to enhance her English shortly advanced right into a deep dive again into the tech world, the place her training initially started. She took programs in software program improvement, AI, product improvement, venture administration, and communication, together with certifications from organizations like IBM, Google.

Nonetheless, financial limitations and a nonetheless incomplete bachelor’s diploma made formal training tough. Nejla says, “I solely had three programs left earlier than we needed to transfer to the USA.” Moreover, as a consequence of challenges that she confronted in ready for her transcripts to be despatched from Turkey, re-enrolling at school turned a fair greater hurdle. Whereas she waited, she accomplished over 40 certificates packages by way of Coursera Plus and different on-line platforms — an effort that considerably boosted her profession and helped her to land extra senior roles in know-how.

“I used to be decided to beat biases and remodel my variations right into a energy for management. I’ve all the time genuinely cared about these round me and have been pushed by a need to assist make the world a greater place. My securing a good job in New York Metropolis and proving that success is feasible even with out being a local English speaker or having studied within the U.S. impressed many ladies in our group to begin to consider in their very own potential, too.”

A Turning Level: ChatGPT and a New Path Ahead

Regardless of her arduous work with on-line certificates and sleepless nights learning over 20 managerial books she had ordered for unbiased research, Nejla was feeling hopeless in her pursuit of reaching a level. Along with her bachelor’s nonetheless incomplete and her transcripts seemingly stalled out, she started to query whether or not college was nonetheless a sensible choice. She then requested ChatGPT a pivotal query: “Is there a college that gives a grasp’s diploma with out a bachelor’s?” 

That search led her to the College of Colorado Boulder’s Grasp of Engineering in Engineering Administration, and its Efficiency-Based mostly Admissions (PBA) pathway. This was the second every part modified. Nejla submitted an inquiry and was contacted by Coursera enrollment consultant, Carolyn. 

“I used to be on the verge of tears,” Nejla says. “Carolyn was unimaginable—she acknowledged my deep dedication to training and private development. She inspired me, saying, ‘Nejla, you are able to do this.’ She believed in me as a result of she might see the journey I had taken by way of Coursera historical past and different exterior training.“

Leveling Up Her Studying

Along with her supervisor’s full help, Nejla started the performance-based coursework that will decide her eligibility for the grasp’s program. She excelled, finishing a number of specializations in management and venture administration with high grades.

Even higher, with course stackability, Nejla was in a position to improve a few of the coursework she’d been doing on Coursera for credit score towards her diploma as soon as she enrolled. After years of wrestle, Nejla was elated to be taught this was an choice and eventually had her arduous work repay.

“It was precisely what I had been in search of — a versatile program that permit me transfer at my very own tempo. I used to be already coming from the center of the tech trade with confirmed expertise, and I had accomplished prestigious certificates packages. I managed the prices step-by-step, partnered with my employer for help, and simply saved shifting ahead.” 

Nejla notes that one in all her favourite facets of this system was its self-paced format and suppleness. “It aligned completely with my productive morning routines and my hectic schedule as a company skilled and a mother.”

A Proud Graduate

As a 2025 graduate of this system, Nejla’s studying journey has removed from stopped. This yr, she has been accepted right into a doctoral program in Strategic Management at Liberty College.

“It is a big milestone for me. Now, with a diploma acknowledged within the U.S., it appears like I’m lastly being seen. I’ve come a good distance, and I’m pleased with the journey I’ve taken. I’ll maintain working arduous to make those that stood by me witness one more milestone alongside the best way.”

Gratitude and Inspiration

“I do know I couldn’t have finished this alone,” she says. “I’ll all the time be glad about the individuals who stood by me by way of all of it. This can be my story, however their help is woven into each a part of it. They’ve every been a beneficial a part of my journey as guiding lights alongside the best way.”

Nejla’s story is an inspirational one, to say the least, and paints a transparent image that with willpower, help, and the flexibleness of on-line studying, any private objective may be achieved. 

A Observe of Thanks, from Nejla

Nejla credit her success to a mixture of unwavering interior drive, the alternatives provided by on-line studying, and the unimaginable help of key folks in her life. Her husband Kemal stood by her as a real companion, taking up homemaking so she might give attention to her objectives. Zeynep, her daughter, confirmed outstanding persistence, standing by her each step of the best way as she proved herself. She would all the time supply encouragement that made all of the distinction. Her mentor, Mike, was the primary individual to actually consider in her potential when she arrived within the U.S. He provided unwavering help, offering beneficial solutions on how you can create a wholesome work-life steadiness whereas creating a management journey. Her supervisor Eric was very supportive with diligently following up on all of the back-and-forth emails to make sure her tuition help was accepted and processed. Past that, he created a supportive house that allowed her to steadiness class obligations with out burning out at work. And Carolyn, from the Coursera enrollment workforce, not solely launched her to this system but additionally answered each one in all her many questions with kindness and care.