Tolga Can: From Tenure to Teaching — A Mid‑Career International Transition Built by Saying Yes

Episode summary In this episode of International Career Journey, Dr Sherrie Lee speaks with Tolga Can, a teaching professor in the Department of Computer Science at the Colorado School of Mines, based in Denver, Colorado, USA. Tolga shares his mid‑career transition from being a tenured academic in Turkey to starting a new chapter in the United States after 17 years at Middle East Technical University. His story explores how chance encounters, openness to opportunity, family decision‑making, and having a “Plan B” shaped his international academic journey. What you’ll hear in this episode How chance conversations repeatedly opened major doors Returning to the US after 17 years — and why it felt familiar rather than foreign Choosing a teaching‑focused role over a research‑intensive tenure track Professional identity beyond nationality Why having a Plan B made the transition easier About the guest Tolga Can is a teaching professor in Computer Science at the Colorado School of Mines in Colorado, USA. He previously spent 17 years as a tenured academic at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, and completed his PhD at the University of California, Santa Barbara. LinkedIn:   / tolga-can-b70701216   Website: https://cs.mines.edu/project/can-tolga/ About the Host Dr Sherrie Lee is a career coach and educator for international professionals — originally from Singapore, based in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, and coaching clients worldwide. Through a positive psychology lens, she supports international and migrant professionals navigating career and cultural transitions. LinkedIn:   / leesherrie   Website: https://thediasporicacademic.com Subscribe to International Career Journey International Career Journey features real stories of resilience, reinvention, and careers shaped across cultures — from people building meaningful work lives across borders. If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to International Career Journey wherever you listen — and share it with a fellow international professional navigating change. 🎧 Subscribe where you listen Want more? Sign up for the International Career Journey newsletter for reflections, resources, and career insights delivered to your inbox. 📩 Subscribe on Substack: https://drsherrielee.substack.com