When Turkey native Nezilla Gar Sagram started her laptop programming journey at Sakarya College in Turkey in 2007, she nonetheless did not know what number of occasions her goals would evolve. As we speak, as a full-time engineering administration knowledgeable, mom, and a proud 2025 graduate Master of Engineering Management From Cu Boulder, Nejira’s story is one among resilience, help and adaptableness in her relentless pursuit to advertise her training.
Ardour for instructing has shifted
Nejira’s profession started with know-how, however her coronary heart was at all times drawn to training. Influenced by her grandparents, she first accomplished her affiliate diploma in laptop programming and enrolled within the bachelor’s diploma program within the hopes of changing into a instructor later. Whereas pursuing singles, she started to understand her goals by instructing at a nonprofit group in Istanbul. However she knew she wanted to finish a level to maneuver ahead.
To start with of her expertise as a instructor, shortly after marrying her husband, Nejira learns that she is pregnant and quickly stops her dream. Her husband’s job required him to maneuver between the US and Turkey. So her life started to alter as she solely had three courses left within the bachelor’s diploma program.
Redo one course at a time
“Once we arrived within the US, I knew it wasn’t simply accepted, particularly as a girl who got here from a totally totally different tradition,” recollects Nezilla. “However I did not cease believing. It has at all times been my dream to check overseas, expertise world-class training, discover new cultures, and construct bridges between totally different cultures.”
Nejira determined to adapt and thrive, and found new studying alternatives at Coursera. “Despite the fact that my English abilities are very primary, I wished to discover a place the place I might add significant worth.” With this aim in thoughts, Nejira refined his English abilities with Coursera, accepting enterprise and laptop science courses as properly. “I signed up for lots of courses. Possibly over 200!” she says.
What started as an effort to enhance her English shortly advanced right into a deep diving into the world of know-how, the place her training initially started. She took a course in software program growth, AI, Product Development, project managementand communicationtogether with certifications from organizations corresponding to IBM and Google.
Nevertheless, monetary constraints and nonetheless incomplete bachelor’s diploma have made formal training troublesome. Nezilla “solely had three programs left earlier than she needed to transfer to the US.” Moreover, as a result of challenges she confronted ready for transcripts to be despatched from Turkey, re-registration in school has turn into a fair better hurdle. Whereas she waited, she accomplished over 40 certificates packages by Coursera Plus and different on-line platforms. This has helped her to considerably increase her profession and purchase extra superior roles in know-how.
“I’ve determined to beat my prejudice and switch my variations into power in management. I’ve at all times been pushed by a want to essentially care in regards to the individuals round me and make the world a greater place.
Turning Factors: ChatGpt and New Passforwards
On sleepless nights, learning on-line certificates and over 20 enterprise books ordered for unbiased analysis, Nejira felt hopeless in pursuit of a level. As her bachelor’s diploma was nonetheless incomplete and her transcription appeared stagnant, she started to query whether or not college was nonetheless a sensible possibility. She then requested ChatGpt a pivotal query. “Is there a college that gives a grasp’s diploma with out a bachelor’s diploma?”
That search led her to the College of Colorado Boulder College Master of Engineering Managementand that Performance-based admission (PBA) route. This was the second when every part modified. Nejla submitted an inquiry and was contacted by Carolyn, the Coursera registered consultant.
“I used to be on a tearful scenario,” says Nezilla. “Carolyn was unimaginable. She acknowledged my deep dedication to training and private development. She inspired me and mentioned, ‘Nejira, you are able to do this.’ She believed in me. As a result of she was in a position to see the journey I took by Coursera’s historical past and different exterior training. ”
Degree her studying
With full help from the supervisor, Nezirah has launched a performance-based coursework figuring out eligibility for the grasp program. She excelled and accomplished a number of specialisations in management and venture administration on the high grade.
Even higher, The stackability of the course allowed Nejla to improve a few of the coursework he had been doing at Coursera for his diploma after registering. After years of battle, Nejira was delighted to search out out that this was an possibility and eventually paid off her exhausting work.
“It was precisely what I used to be on the lookout for – I used to be a versatile program that allowed me to maneuver at my very own tempo. I used to be already coming from the center of the tech trade with confirmed expertise and accomplished the celebrated certificates program. I managed prices in phases and continued to accomplice with my employer to help them.”
Nejla factors out that one among her favourite facets of this system was its format and suppleness of tempo. “It was completely according to my productive morning routine and my busy schedule as a company knowledgeable and mom.”
A proud graduate
As a graduate of the 2025 program, Nejla’s studying journey has not stopped. This yr, she was accepted into the PhD program in Strategic Management at Liberty College.
“It is a enormous milestone for me. With my diploma now acknowledged within the US, I really feel like I am lastly being seen. I’ve come a good distance and I am pleased with the journey I’ve taken.
Appreciation and inspiration
“I do know I could not do that by myself,” she says. “I’m at all times grateful to those that have stood by my facet by it, and whereas this can be my story, their help is woven into each a part of it.
Nejira’s story is inspirational to say the least, and he or she attracts a transparent image of how private targets could be achieved with dedication, help and suppleness in on-line studying.
A thanks word from Nejira
She believes she has succeeded in a mix of unwavering interior drive, alternatives provided by on-line studying, and unimaginable help for vital individuals in her life. Her husband Kemal stood by her as a real accomplice and took on the housekeeping so she might concentrate on her targets. Her daughter, Zeynep, confirmed unimaginable endurance and stood at each stage of her when she proved herself. She at all times affords encouragement that makes all of the distinction. Her mentor, Mike, was the primary particular person to really imagine in her potential when she arrived within the US. He supplied unwavering help and supplied precious ideas on methods to create a wholesome work-life stability whereas creating a management journey. Her supervisor, Eric, was extraordinarily supportive by enthusiastically following up all of the earlier and subsequent emails to make sure that tuition help was authorized and processed. Past that, he created a help area the place he might stability class tasks with out burning out at work. Carolyn, from the Coursera registration staff, not solely launched her to this system, but in addition answered all of her many questions with kindness and care.
