Today we’d like to introduce you to Turkan Devrijova.
Hi Turkan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hi Voyager Houston, thank you for the opportunity to share my story.
My name is Turkan Devrijova, and I am originally from Baku, Azerbaijan. I moved to Houston to pursue my second master’s degree—MS in Technology Project Management at the University of Houston. While Baku and Houston are often called sister cities because of their strong energy-industry roots, Houston resonates with me on a much more personal level.
In many ways, Houston reminds me of my hometown- a small city named Zagatala, the green and culturally rich region where I spent most of my childhood. The diversity, warmth, and openness of people here feel familiar—people smile, help each other, and create a sense of belonging. I strongly believe in patterns and energy in life, and from the moment I arrived, Houston felt like the right place. I’m glad that this city is a part of a very brave and defining chapter of my journey.
I call brave because I came here, leaving everything familiar behind—my work, my apartment, and the stability I had built over the years—to start again from zero. Doing that, especially in your 30s, when you are used to certainty and comfort, and starting a new chapter with many uncertainties, believe me, is not easy. But it is deeply transformative. It pushes you to grow into a stronger, more confident version of yourself; it feels like you give birth to a new you, and that experience has shaped both who I am and how I work.
Academically, my path reflects my curiosity and interdisciplinary mindset. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and a master’s degree in Public Policy in Azerbaijan. Over time, my interests naturally evolved toward technology, product development, and systems thinking, which led me to pursue my current studies in technology project management. I am deeply passionate about combining my analytical side with my creative side, and technical skills with human-centered insight.
Professionally, I have worked in market research, UX (user experience) research, and product development, where I learned the importance of truly listening to people and translating their needs into meaningful, usable solutions. I am especially interested in building products that solve real problems and create positive, lasting impact. As soon as I came here last year, I reached out to professionals in my field, wanted to network, and they have been very welcoming and supportive since then. PMI Houston Chapter even invited me as a guest speaker to talk about my experience and share insights about the importance of user/customer needs in projects. I am also a member of the PMI Houston Chapter UH student branch and contribute to connecting academia with industry professionals, organize events and talks.
One recent example is my capstone project, where I conducted a usability and UX improvement study of the Houston METRO application. I proposed practical design and usability enhancements for METRO administration, and the feedback has been very encouraging. I am excited to see how those ideas may influence future improvements.
Outside of work and studies, I enjoy oil painting, playing the piano, and trying new activities such as diving and paragliding. I am currently learning how to surf and ski—still falling quite a bit, but enjoying the process. These experiences reflect how I approach life: curious, resilient, and always willing to learn.
And a small personal note—long before moving here, I visualized my life in Houston using technology. I once created an AI-generated image of myself living this life and made it my phone’s lock screen. Less than a year later, that image was replaced by a real photo—of me, actually, here. It wasn’t magic, but a reminder of how intention, technology, and persistence can come together to shape reality.
Houston has become an important part of my journey, and I’m grateful to be building, learning, and contributing here.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all—it has been full of challenges, especially in this phase of my life. Being an international student can sound intimidating to many companies. There are visa requirements, documentation, uncertainty, and a long process that requires patience and resilience. It’s definitely not an easy journey.
That said, I’ve learned to separate what I can control from what I cannot. I have strong faith—first in God—and I truly believe I am protected and guided. That faith gives me hope and keeps me grounded, even during uncertain moments.
I also believe in myself, my skills, experience, and abilities. I did not come here as a fresh graduate. I came with life and work experience, as well as hard and soft skills. I know I can add value wherever I go. I know I can build connections wherever I am, respecting and fitting in that place. That makes me feel confident. While visa processes and external systems are outside of my control, investing in myself is not. I continue to learn, build skills, and grow professionally, because that is where my power is. That mindset helps me move forward with confidence rather than fear.
Emotionally, it hasn’t always been easy either. Starting over, being far from home, facing unexpected issues, and carrying responsibilities alone can be heavy at times. But I trust the process, I keep my faith, and somehow things always work out in the end. 🙂
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work sits at the intersection of product, projects, and user experience. I specialize in building and improving digital products by combining structured delivery approaches with deep user insight. What sets me apart is that I don’t see product, UX, and project management as separate functions—I merge them to help teams move from insight to execution with clarity and purpose.
I’m especially known for blending people-centric thinking with technical and analytical skills. I listen closely to users, translate their needs into actionable product decisions, and help teams deliver solutions that are both scalable and meaningful. This approach allows me to reduce risk early, improve usability, and align stakeholders around real value—not just features.
I also love trying new industries and applying my skills there. At the moment, I am part of the 2026 Cohort of the Accelerate Space Program by the Space Center Houston, where we learn a lot about the space industry, network with professionals, work on case studies, and build friendships. Space is my dream! This industry screams innovation, tech, new horizons, and new opportunities for humanity!
I’m particularly proud of the products and programs I’ve built from scratch. One example is The Happy Brain, a digital planner and journal designed to support emotional balance and productivity. I’ve also created and led mentorship programs in UX Research and PMP-aligned project management, helping professionals build practical skills, certifications, and confidence in their careers.
What truly sets me apart is my ability to connect strategy, execution, and human behavior. I care deeply about building products that solve real problems, respect users, and leave a positive, lasting impact.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in a very supportive and caring family, and I’m deeply thankful to God for my parents—and my cat Leo—who have always been my biggest emotional support. Looking back, I realize how much their encouragement, and at times even financial support, made it possible for me to dream boldly and pursue opportunities beyond my comfort zone.
I grew up in a big house filled with books. My father, a now-retired architect, has a huge personal library—books on architecture, world mythology, culture, and encyclopedias. He was the one who instilled in me a deep respect for education and curiosity. I still remember how, during summer breaks, he would tell me that if I learned 30 new English words a day, my vocabulary would grow by the end of the summer. He taught himself Farsi using the same method, and I learned English through his discipline and consistency.
My mother is a true fire-sign woman—strong, intuitive, and endlessly supportive. One moment that stayed with me was when I was a fresh graduate with no work experience and was invited to join a project that felt intimidating and far beyond my confidence level. I remember feeling scared and insecure, but she simply said, “Go for it. Never be afraid of trying new and even bigger things. Even if it’s hard, or you fail, you’ll learn something—and that experience will stay with you.” She didn’t have the chance to study her dream career, so she always motivated me to build financial stability, independence, and to take care of myself as a woman. She’s also incredibly feminine—still making homemade face masks at home, which I sometimes joke about 🙂 But honestly, they work 🙂 I’ve learned so much from that balance too. Because at the end of the day, I am free from all titles, and I am a woman when I’m home, not a project manager.
And Leo—my cat—I miss him deeply! Bringing him here is one of my dreams.
I spent most of my life between Baku and Zagatala, and both cities shaped me in different ways. They gave me lifelong friendships, cultural openness, and strong language skills. Growing up in Azerbaijan, where speaking Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Russian is common, naturally shaped my adaptability and curiosity about people and cultures.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://turkandevrijova.medium.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turkan-devrijova/
