Educating Students—and Employers

(page 2 of 2)

Isaac Agboola
Gallaudet University

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Is there any special coaching in the interview process or career services?

We build our own network of employers. We try to visit our students on the job sites and internship sites, making sure that everything is fine and see if we need to improve any areas. Sometimes students can earn credit for internships.

How do students help one another in the business program? Are there a lot of group projects?

Oh, yes. Our professors assign group projects when they feel that students will benefit. In my senior seminar class, I have students working in groups of three on case studies.

When you talk to recruiters, what do you tell them your students bring to the table?

We have to emphasize to them that our students have a disability but they are capable—as long as they're provided with the necessary support. Interpreters sometimes are necessary. Not all day, but when it's necessary, for meetings or for groups or something or a meeting with the boss. I tell recruiters that our students have the technical know-how to do the job. But they have unique needs.

How do you hone leadership skills and communication skills, because recruiters often say that business students lack them?

Our students have many opportunities on campus to develop leadership skills. Not only through curricula, but they can develop leadership skills through participating in the student body government or student organizations within the curriculum.

What percentage of your students moves on to get their MBAs or rise in the ranks of their companies to management positions?

I would say roughly 20% to 30% of our students go on to an MBA program. Others receive promotions to supervisory positions depending on their ability.

Do students work or study abroad in the business program?

Yes. We have many opportunities, but mostly not in the business department. Most of our students get internships in the U.S.

Do most of them stay in D.C.?

Many students choose to stay in the D.C. area because of federal jobs. The federal government is one of our best employers because they try to be supportive of people with disabilities. They provide support and communication. Others leave the D.C. area. We have an organization called Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government—an organization of federal employees who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Do Fortune 500 companies come on campus?

IBM (IBM) has come in the past, and AT&T (T). Yes, a few have.

Your MBA program ended in 1985. Will you offer any part-time graduate business education for deaf students?

No, we have no plan to re-establish the MBA program. Some of us think it is better to have our students expand their educational experience by taking their MBA program at another school.

Last year, Gallaudet was in the news because of turmoil over the naming of a new president, whose candidacy was later withdrawn. Has the controversy affected applications for the business program?

That has not specifically affected the business department. I think it may slightly affect enrollment… We have internal questions about Gallaudet's direction. That kind of internal disagreement is normal. I guess it was a little more intensive here because of the unique nature of the university.

Finally, what changes have you brought to the business program as chair?

We are trying to strengthen our internship program. All business majors must complete at least one internship to graduate, so we would like that to be a stepping stone. Our goal is full employment or graduate school for all of our graduates.