Cultures Behind Careers

S1 Ep1: What does your accent say about you at work?

And what happens when the way you speak affects how other people see you, before they have even heard what you have to say?

Welcome to Cultures Behind Careers, where culture, identity and careers meet.

I’m Uuganaa Ramsay, a Career Development Professional, educator, consultant and award-winning author. I was born and raised in Mongolia and now live and work in the UK. I’ve spent more than 25 years working across career guidance, education, workforce and organisational development.

English is my third language, and my own journey has made me curious about the ways culture, identity and language shape how we experience education, work and our careers.

I’m also the author of Mongol, my memoir about growing up on the Mongolian steppe, moving to the UK and my journey to claim the meaning of my ethnic identity. Following the publication of the book, I presented the BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service documentary The Meaning of Mongol, exploring language, identity, stigma and the history behind the word “Mongol”.

So it feels particularly fitting that the first conversation on Cultures Behind Careers is about something else we carry with us every day: our voice.

In this episode, I’m joined by Christian Ilbury, Senior Lecturer in Sociolinguistics and School Co-Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Edinburgh. His research explores the social meaning of language and linguistic variation, including the impact of accent bias and linguistic discrimination.

Christian shares his own experiences of growing up in southwest London and navigating different accents and identities. We explore how the way we speak can influence perceptions of intelligence, competence, class and belonging, and what this can mean for our education and careers.

We talk about accent bias, authenticity, belonging and the pressure to change the way we speak, as well as what recruiters, employers and careers professionals can do differently.

Because your accent is more than the way you pronounce words.

It can carry your story, your identity and where you feel you belong.

Christian Ilbury
🌐 Christian’s website
🎓 University of Edinburgh profile
💼 Christian on LinkedIn

Uuganaa Ramsay
📖 Mongol – Uuganaa’s memoir
🎙️ The Meaning of Mongol – BBC documentary
🌕 Wise Moon International
💼 Uuganaa on LinkedIn

Cultures Behind Careers explores the stories, experiences and cultural influences behind our career journeys, and what they can teach us about creating more inclusive careers and workplaces.

Where culture, identity and careers meet.

🎧 Listen to Episode 1 and join the conversation.

What does your accent say about your career story?

Please review, feedback and subscribe! We'd love to hear from you.

Uuganaa [email protected]

What really shapes how we work?

Our careers are about more than qualifications, job titles and ambition. They are shaped by culture, identity, experiences, expectations and the environments in which we learn, work and grow.

Cultures Behind Careers explores the stories and unseen influences behind our careers and workplaces.

Hosted by Uuganaa Ramsay, a career development professional, educator and cultural consultant, the podcast brings together professionals, leaders, researchers and employers to explore career development, workplace culture, identity, belonging, leadership, inclusion and the changing world of work.

Through the WISE Career Framework – Worldview, Identity, Strategy and Environment – we look beyond the obvious to ask better questions about how people navigate careers, how workplaces shape our experiences, and what helps people and organisations thrive.

Expect honest conversations, different perspectives and stories that make you stop and think.

Whether you’re navigating your own career, leading or developing people, or creating a workplace where different people can contribute and belong, Cultures Behind Careers is for you.

Where culture shapes how we work.

If you would like to work with Uuganaa, email [email protected]

www.wisemoon.co.uk

www.mongolmemoir.com