Bernie Brown
Assistant Professor
Department of Business
For many people who pursue a career in business, becoming rich and successful is the ultimate goal. But like any other career, reaching the top requires hard work and a huge commitment. Gallaudet assistant professor of business Bernie Brown has spent many years at Gallaudet giving students the tools they need to succeed in business, and he derives a great measure of satisfaction when he sees his efforts pay off for them.
"I emphasize personal and professional development. Without them, you will not succeed in business," said Brown. He encourages students not to just fill their heads with theories from textbooks, but to apply what they learn in real life situations. However, his favorite book on laying out the keys to a top-notch business career is 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. "It emphasizes personal development, which is mandatory to succeed in business today," said Brown.
In the wake of highly publicized corruption in the business world that has grabbed news headlines in recent years, a renewed focus on ethics has emerged. "In the textbooks I use, every chapter talks about ethics. Not only is this needed to succeed in business, but also in any profession," Brown emphasizes.
Another important lesson from Brown- "When you go into business, the business owns you. You don't own the business. It requires long hours to succeed. It requires a lot of self-discipline and common sense." Brown learned this lesson first hand. He is the founder and former president of Master Builder, a Connecticut-based design and remodeling company. The hours were long and exhausting, a fact that Brown often reminds his students. Many of them are willing to take the challenge, and do well in the business field after graduating from Gallaudet. "They make more money than I do, and than I did when I graduated from college," he said proudly, "Seeing them as successful entrepreneurs and business people makes it all worthwhile."
