Educating Students—and Employers

Gallaudet University, a school primarily for the deaf and hard of hearing, aims to turn out business majors who are competitive

Isaac Agboola
Gallaudet University

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Isaac Agboola has been the chair of the business department. at Gallaudet University since 2003. A graduate of Gallaudet himself, with bachelor's and MBA degrees, Agboola has taught at the Washington (D.C.)-based undergraduate business program for 13 years. With a specialized program for the deaf and hard of hearing, Gallaudet turns out roughly 30 undergraduate business majors per year. Business grads compete for entry-level jobs from the upper $30,000s to lower $40,000s. After two years on the job, some grads earn more than $70,000.

Agboola recently spoke with BusinessWeek.com reporter Janie Ho with the assistance of an American Sign Language interpreter. Here is an edited excerpt of their conversation:

What is unique about the experience in the business program? What technology or curriculum changes, or real-world experience, do they get in that business program?

We are very committed to providing them with an education that will prepare them for entry-level professional positions when they graduate. We require all students to complete at least one internship before they can graduate.

Where do students typically get jobs when they graduate?

Our students get jobs in different areas with the federal government, state government, organizations for the deaf, companies, private companies. It depends on their ability and how well they are prepared.

Is it harder for students to get jobs in the private sector?

Societal attitudes towards people with disabilities continue to impede access to jobs in the private sector. Some of our graduates are employed by private organizations serving the deaf.

Are you working with any organizations to overcome that?

That's a reflection of how society views deaf people. Some private companies may not always understand the culture, so we have to constantly educate them. We have a board of associates, made up of high-level management, who volunteer to come here to support our programs.

Are there any benefits for private companies from the government to train or to hire deaf students?

I'm not aware of any incentives like that, no.

Do you think that would help them, if it were in place?

Companies should hire students if they're qualified. We shouldn't have to offer incentives. Students don't need any special treatment other than being provided with communications support, such as interpreters.

What typical entry-level roles do they go into?

Professional entry level. So for accounting, they are well prepared to accept an entry-level accounting job—not simply bookkeeping.

Students apply in their junior year to the business program. How difficult is the application process?

We expect them to have already developed knowledge of English—reading, writing, and critical thinking skills—before they come here. We don't want to teach them how to read simple English or math. That way we can focus on business.

Students must meet GPA (grade-point average) requirements and pass specific courses to be admitted as a major. We also require them to write an essay about their career goals and to give us about two letters of recommendations from professors. All of that is evaluated by the separate admissions committee for the business school.

In the essay about career goals, what do you want to see from those students?

We want to see why they want to major in business and what they hope to accomplish in the future. That way we can better advise them on which of our five majors or minors—accounting, business administration, computer information systems, economics, and finance—is best for them.

How do most of your students find jobs? Is it through on-campus recruiting? Or alumni? Or government programs?

More than half of the students get job through the career center. We had a career fair recently that brought in about 60 employers for all students. Many students get jobs on their own, online, from networking, families. Just like any other university.