myGwork chats with Buket Karakuş from RWS about coming out, visibility and inclusion
BY DYLAN MANN-HAZELL, IMAGE PROVIDED
Buket Karakuş, IP-Trans Project Manager at RWS, spoke to myGwork about her journey from a language-loving only child in Turkey to building a career at the intersection of translation and project management in the UK. In this interview, she reflects on the challenges of growing up LGBTQIA+ in a traditional society, the powerful moment she first came out publicly, and how that experience shaped her commitment to visibility and inclusion. She also explains why RWS’s authentic, day-to-day culture of inclusion has been so meaningful in allowing her, and others, to show up as their full selves at work.
Hi Buket! Could you tell me a bit about your background and career journey leading up to your current position at RWS?
I grew up in Turkey as an only child and have always been passionate about languages. When I was 17, I visited London as part of a school project. It wasn’t just the city that stayed with me. It was seeing LGBTQIA+ people simply living their lives openly and freely. I’d never experienced that before. I remember saying to myself, “One day, I want that to be my everyday life.”
I went on to complete my Master’s degree at Swansea University. At the time, I thought I’d become a freelance translator, but during my studies I discovered project management and realised it suited me perfectly. I enjoy bringing people together, solving problems and keeping things moving. After graduating, I started as an Assistant Project Manager at a language services provider before taking on a Project Coordinator role in London. I later joined RWS as a Project Manager. Looking back, my career has been shaped by my passion for languages and finding a role that really plays to my strengths.
Can you tell me about your childhood – where did you grow up; did you have any hobbies?
Because of my father’s job, we moved between different cities until I was six. I found it difficult to put down roots because I was always worried we’d have to move again, and I’d lose the friends I’d just made. Eventually we settled in a small town close to Istanbul, so I got to enjoy a quieter upbringing while still being close to a vibrant city.
I always had a good idea of the career I wanted to pursue, but hobbies were a different story. I tried lots of different things to figure out what brought me joy. Over the years I played guitar and piano, made jewellery, was part of a band in high school and even tried martial arts when I was younger. Looking back, I think I’ve always had a creative side. Ballet had always fascinated me and felt like something much deeper than a hobby, but I didn’t have the chance to pursue it until a couple of years ago. Finally starting ballet has been incredibly rewarding and feels like reconnecting with a dream I’d held onto for years.
Can you share your personal journey with the LGBTQIA+ community?
I grew up in a traditional society where LGBTQIA+ people are still not widely understood or accepted. I always knew there was something different about me, but I didn’t have the words or the space to understand it. There were no conversations, no resources and no one I felt I could talk to about being attracted to more than one gender.
I often say I never had a traditional coming out moment because I never felt safe enough to have one, apart from with a few close friends. But when I was 19, I was volunteering for a global youth organisation that brought together Turkish students and volunteers from different cultures. A few weeks after joining, I was asked to give a short presentation. In the middle of it, I simply said into the microphone, “I’m bi.”
The room of around 70 people burst into applause. I remember standing there feeling overwhelmed because, for the first time, I felt completely accepted. What made it even more meaningful was that, during the presentations that followed, a few other people came out too. Some told me afterwards that hearing me say it first had made it easier for them to share their own experiences. Knowing that simply being open about who I am helped someone else do the same is something I’m really proud of.
I’ve never been able to come out to my family, and I don’t know if I ever will. I know what it feels like to carry that part of yourself quietly, which is why I believe those voices should be heard too. Everyone’s journey is different, and not everyone has the same level of safety or support around them.
That’s one of the reasons living in the UK and working at RWS means so much to me. Feeling accepted, respected and safe shouldn’t be something people have to earn or simply be lucky enough to find. It should be something everyone has the right to experience.
What has been a standout moment in your career so far?
I’ve always been interested in the connection between language and technology. During my undergraduate degree in Istanbul, I was determined to learn Trados, a computer-assisted translation tool, even though it wasn’t part of my university course. At a translation conference, I introduced myself to a professor, told him how interested I was in translation technology, and asked if there was any way I could learn from him. He invited me to attend his classes as a guest student.
For months, I spent five hours travelling every week just to be there. It never felt like a chore because I knew I was learning something that genuinely excited me. When RWS acquired SDL Trados, I remember thinking, “That’s where I’d love to work.” Looking back now, it’s satisfying to realise that a goal that once felt so distant eventually became reality.
How does RWS strive for inclusivity and provide an open space for LGBTQIA+ employees?
What I’ve appreciated most at RWS is that inclusion feels genuine. It’s not something that’s only visible during Pride Month or at company events.
We have employee resource groups that bring people together to share experiences, learn from one another and build a sense of community, whether they’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community or not. But what matters most to me is the day-to-day culture. I’ve never felt like I needed to hide part of who I am, and that has made a real difference. When you know you can be yourself, you can focus your energy on doing your best work rather than on whether you’ll be accepted.
Throughout your career, have you noticed any developments in attitudes towards the importance of diversity and inclusion?
Definitely. There’s still a long way to go, but I think awareness has improved a lot. More organisations are recognising that inclusion is not just about representation, but about creating environments where people feel respected, supported and able to do their best work.
At the same time, I think people are looking for authenticity more than ever. A Pride logo or social media post can be a positive gesture, but what really matters is seeing that commitment reflected in everyday actions throughout the year.
What immediate improvements would you like to see being made for LGBTQIA+ equality in the future, both in the workplace and wider society?
I’d love to see more genuine conversations and a little less performative support. Social media is incredibly powerful, but sometimes it encourages people and organisations to focus more on how they appear than on creating real inclusion.
In the workplace, even small changes can have a lasting impact. At RWS, we include pronouns in our email signatures, and I’d love to see that become more common. It removes assumptions, makes communication easier in a global company and shows respect for how people want to be addressed. Often, it’s those everyday actions that make people feel comfortable, respected and included.
Is there anything we haven’t discussed already that you would like to include?
I think what I’d like people to take away from my story is that everyone’s journey is different, and not everyone starts from the same place.
I know what it feels like to question whether there is a space for you, and I also know how powerful it is when someone quietly shows you that there is.
The experiences that shaped me most weren’t the biggest achievements or milestones. They were the times when I was made to feel that I didn’t have to explain or justify who I was. I hope more of us choose to make other people feel that way.
RWS is a proud partner of myGwork, the LGBTQ+ Business Community. Find out more about LGBTQ+ inclusive job opportunities at RWS.
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine
Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
