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

When Turkish native Nejla Gul-Saglam began her journey in Computer Programming at Sakarya University, in Turkey, back in 2007, she didn’t yet know how many times her dreams would evolve—and be tested. Today, as a full-time engineering management professional, mother, and proud 2025 graduate of the Master of Engineering in Engineering Management from CU Boulder, Nejla’s story is one of resilience, support, and adaptability in her relentless pursuit to further her education.

A Passion for Teaching, Shifted

Nejla’s career began in tech, but her heart had always been drawn to teaching. Influenced by her grandparents, she first pursued an associate degree in computer programming and later enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program with the hopes of becoming a teacher. While pursuing her bachelor’s, she began to fulfill her dream by teaching at a nonprofit organization in Istanbul. However, she knew that in order to move forward, she needed to complete her degree.

Amidst the start of her experience as a teacher, and shortly after marrying her husband, Nejla found out she was pregnant, temporarily putting her dreams on hold. Her husband’s work required him to move between the United States and Turkey, a situation that would only become more challenging with a newborn in the picture. So, with just three classes remaining in her bachelor’s degree program, her life began to shift. 

Starting Over, One Course at a Time

“When we arrived in the U.S., I was aware that it was not gonna be easy to gain acceptance, especially as a woman who was coming from a totally different culture,” Nejla recalls. “But I never stopped believing. It has always been my dream to study abroad, experience world-class education, explore new cultures, and build bridges between different cultures.”

Determined to adapt and thrive, Nejla discovered new learning opportunities on Coursera. “I was looking to find a place where I could add meaningful value, despite my English skills being very basic.” With this goal in mind, Nejla refined her English skills on Coursera, all while taking classes in business and computer science, too. “I signed up for a lot of classes—maybe more than 200!” she recounts. 

What started as an effort to improve her English quickly evolved into a deep dive back into the tech world, where her education originally began. She took courses in software development, AI, product development, project management, and communication, including certifications from organizations like IBM, Google.

However, economic limitations and a still incomplete bachelor’s degree made formal education difficult. Nejla says, “I only had three courses left before we had to move to the United States.” Additionally, due to challenges that she faced in waiting for her transcripts to be sent from Turkey, re-enrolling in school became an even bigger hurdle. While she waited, she completed over 40 certificate programs through Coursera Plus and other online platforms — an effort that significantly boosted her career and helped her to land more senior roles in technology.

“I was determined to overcome biases and transform my differences into a strength for leadership. I’ve always genuinely cared about those around me and have been driven by a desire to help make the world a better place. My securing a respectable job in New York City and proving that success is possible even without being a native English speaker or having studied in the U.S. inspired many women in our community to start to believe in their own potential, too.”

A Turning Point: ChatGPT and a New Path Forward

Despite her hard work with online certificates and sleepless nights studying over 20 managerial books she had ordered for independent study, Nejla was feeling hopeless in her pursuit of achieving a degree. With her bachelor’s still incomplete and her transcripts seemingly stalled out, she began to question whether university was still a realistic option. She then asked ChatGPT a pivotal question: “Is there a university that offers a master’s degree without a bachelor’s?” 

That search led her to the University of Colorado Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management, and its Performance-Based Admissions (PBA) pathway. This was the moment everything changed. Nejla submitted an inquiry and was contacted by Coursera enrollment representative, Carolyn. 

“I was on the verge of tears,” Nejla says. “Carolyn was incredible—she recognized my deep commitment to education and personal growth. She encouraged me, saying, ‘Nejla, you can do this.’ She believed in me because she could see the journey I had taken through Coursera history and other external education.“

Leveling Up Her Learning

With her manager’s full support, Nejla began the performance-based coursework that would determine her eligibility for the master’s program. She excelled, completing multiple specializations in leadership and project management with top grades.

Even better, with course stackability, Nejla was able to upgrade some of the coursework she’d been doing on Coursera for credit toward her degree once she enrolled. After years of struggle, Nejla was elated to learn this was an option and finally had her hard work pay off.

“It was exactly what I had been looking for — a flexible program that let me move at my own pace. I was already coming from the heart of the tech industry with proven experience, and I had completed prestigious certificate programs. I managed the costs step by step, partnered with my employer for support, and just kept moving forward.” 

Nejla notes that one of her favorite aspects of the program was its self-paced format and flexibility. “It aligned perfectly with my productive morning routines and my hectic schedule as a corporate professional and a mom.”

A Proud Graduate

As a 2025 graduate of the program, Nejla’s learning journey has far from stopped. This year, she has been accepted into a doctoral program in Strategic Leadership at Liberty University.

“This is a huge milestone for me. Now, with a diploma recognized in the U.S., it feels like I’m finally being seen. I’ve come a long way, and I’m proud of the journey I’ve taken. I’ll keep working hard to make those who stood by me witness yet another milestone along the way.”

Gratitude and Inspiration

“I know I couldn’t have done this alone,” she says. “I’ll always be thankful for the people who stood by me through it all. This may be my story, but their support is woven into every part of it. They have each been a valuable part of my journey as guiding lights along the way.”

Nejla’s story is an inspirational one, to say the least, and paints a clear picture that with determination, support, and the flexibility of online learning, any personal goal can be achieved. 

A Note of Thanks, from Nejla

Nejla credits her success to a combination of unwavering inner drive, the opportunities offered by online learning, and the incredible support of key people in her life. Her husband Kemal stood by her as a true partner, taking on homemaking so she could focus on her goals. Zeynep, her daughter, showed remarkable patience, standing by her every step of the way as she proved herself. She would always offer encouragement that made all the difference. Her mentor, Mike, was the first person to truly believe in her potential when she arrived in the U.S. He offered unwavering support, providing valuable suggestions on how to create a healthy work-life balance while developing a leadership journey. Her manager Eric was very supportive with diligently following up on all the back-and-forth emails to ensure her tuition support was approved and processed. Beyond that, he created a supportive space that allowed her to balance class responsibilities without burning out at work. And Carolyn, from the Coursera enrollment team, not only introduced her to the program but also answered every one of her many questions with kindness and care.

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