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 Laptop 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. At present, 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 schooling.

A Ardour for Educating, Shifted

Nejla’s profession started in tech, however her coronary heart had at all times 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 meet her dream by educating at a nonprofit group in Istanbul. Nevertheless, she knew that as a way 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 came upon 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 may solely grow to be tougher with a new child within the image. So, with simply three lessons remaining in her bachelor’s diploma program, her life started to shift. 

Beginning Over, One Course at a Time

“After we arrived within the U.S., I used to be conscious that it was not gonna be simple to achieve acceptance, particularly as a lady who was coming from a completely completely different tradition,” Nejla remembers. “However I by no means stopped believing. It has at all times been my dream to review overseas, expertise world-class schooling, 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 trying to discover a place the place I might add significant worth, regardless of my English expertise being very primary.” With this purpose in thoughts, Nejla refined her English expertise on Coursera, all whereas taking lessons in enterprise and pc science, too. “I signed up for lots of lessons—possibly greater than 200!” she recounts. 

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

Nevertheless, financial limitations and a nonetheless incomplete bachelor’s diploma made formal schooling troublesome. Nejla says, “I solely had three programs left earlier than we needed to transfer to the USA.” Moreover, because of challenges that she confronted in ready for her transcripts to be despatched from Turkey, re-enrolling at school turned a good 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 expertise.

“I used to be decided to beat biases and rework my variations right into a power for management. I’ve at all times genuinely cared about these round me and have been pushed by a want to assist make the world a greater place. My securing a decent 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 neighborhood to begin to imagine in their very own potential, too.”

A Turning Level: ChatGPT and a New Path Ahead

Regardless of her onerous work with on-line certificates and sleepless nights finding out over 20 managerial books she had ordered for unbiased examine, Nejla was feeling hopeless in her pursuit of attaining a level. Together with her bachelor’s nonetheless incomplete and her transcripts seemingly stalled out, she started to query whether or not college was nonetheless a practical possibility. She then requested ChatGPT a pivotal query: “Is there a college that provides a grasp’s diploma and not using 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 thing 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 unbelievable—she acknowledged my deep dedication to schooling 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 schooling.“

Leveling Up Her Studying

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

Even higher, with course stackability, Nejla was capable of improve among the coursework she’d been doing on Coursera for credit score towards her diploma as soon as she enrolled. After years of battle, Nejla was elated to study this was an possibility and eventually had her onerous work repay.

“It was precisely what I had been on the lookout for — a versatile program that allow me transfer at my very own tempo. I used to be already coming from the guts 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 stored shifting ahead.” 

Nejla notes that one in all her favourite features 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.

“This can be a large milestone for me. Now, with a diploma acknowledged within the U.S., it appears like I’m lastly being seen. I’ve come a great distance, and I’m happy with the journey I’ve taken. I’ll preserve working onerous to make those that stood by me witness yet one more milestone alongside the best way.”

Gratitude and Inspiration

“I do know I couldn’t have executed this alone,” she says. “I’ll at all times 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 purpose might be achieved. 

A Be aware of Thanks, from Nejla

Nejla credit her success to a mix of unwavering inside drive, the alternatives provided by on-line studying, and the unbelievable help of key folks in her life. Her husband Kemal stood by her as a real accomplice, taking over homemaking so she might deal with her objectives. Zeynep, her daughter, confirmed outstanding persistence, standing by her each step of the best way as she proved herself. She would at all times provide encouragement that made all of the distinction. Her mentor, Mike, was the primary individual to really imagine in her potential when she arrived within the U.S. He provided unwavering help, offering beneficial recommendations on the way to create a wholesome work-life steadiness whereas growing 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 permitted and processed. Past that, he created a supportive area that allowed her to steadiness class duties with out burning out at work. And Carolyn, from the Coursera enrollment crew, not solely launched her to this system but additionally answered each one in all her many questions with kindness and care.