INTERVIEWS

Duane Halliburton
Reston, Virginia
Hallibud@ncr.disa.mil  

 

1 Q: What do you do in your job?

 

A: Currently I am working for Defense Information Engineering Systems.  That is a company in Virginia. I have worked there for almost 15 years. In that job, I work designing systems, analyzing various computer systems, and providing information to various companies or other people within my own organization to help better design various systems.

 

 

 

2 Q:  Do you supervise anyone?

 

A: Well, within my company, I really don't supervise anyone. I work on an individual basis. I work as an engineer on various projects; however, I work with a group of people who are mostly on my team. We work together every day in order to provide briefings to upper management. We also provide advice to others as to how systems work, and how they are supposed to be designed. So, I really don't supervise, but am more involved as an individual.

 

 

 

3 Q: What do you specialize in?

 

A: Well, I specialize in communication systems. My background is in engineering and also communications, so when I say communication systems, I'm talking about the Internet, web design, and technical hardware products that are used to design communication systems.

 

 

 

4 Q: What university did you attend?

 

A: I entered Gallaudet in 1980 and I had a few choices of what I wanted to study. One was accounting and the other was computer science. I was able to work at Gallaudet in the computer lab during the time that I was a student and I found out that I was very good in that area. Before I knew it, I graduated from Gallaudet and found a job working for the government. That helped my development a great deal.

 

 

 

5 Q: Who are you role models?

 

A: As for role models, I feel there are so many of them. I could chose various people and I try to imitate them, and do what they do. It is hard for me to give you just one name, but there are many people that I have met during my career and education, and in various places around the world of work, and I use those people as my role models.

 

 

 

6 Q: Did you continue your education after graduating with a B.A.?

 

Yes, after graduating from Gallaudet, I went to George Washington University to work on my masters of science in telecommunications and computers. I finished the graduate program there in 1997. Also, I went back to learn financial consulting and I recently passed the NASD, which is the National Association of Securities Dealers. That means I am involved with investing and providing financial advice to people, and also providing retirement information and those types of things. So, I am always continuing with my training and learning more because my goals are very high and I want to try to continue with my education in various areas, not only in computers, but also in other fields, too.

 

 

 

7 Q: What other field are you pursuing?

 

A: The other field that I am more into is financial. I recently passed the Maryland State Law Exam which is required in the state of Maryland in order to provide advice to people related to finances, retirement, mutual funds, investments, and a number of investment opportunities, so that is a shift for me. I do that a little bit, and at the same time, I keep going with computer design and engineering.

 

 

 

8 Q: How have obstacles shaped you as a person?

 

A: Since I attended Gallaudet, I have faced many conflicts and obstacles, and that really helped me in the long run because they made me stronger. If I had not had those problems then, I would not know how to deal with that in my life. One problem might be discrimination, or politics, or various things that have happened during my lifetime or during my career.

 

 

 

9 Q: Do you have an example of an obstacle you overcame?

 

A: Yes, one situation might be that when I worked with hearing people within the company, I have to continually prove that I can do anything that they can do. It took several years to get through that problem, but after awhile, after I did my job very, very well, within their expectations and my expectations,  I was able to succeed with that area.

 

 

 

10 Q: DO you face communication challenges in your job?

 

A: Mostly I would say during my briefing to upper management. Sometimes I have to present all my projects. I do that every month. The group I present with is comprised of all hearing people. I don't use interpreters very often because interpreters don't give me the technical interpretation of what is happening in the meeting so I tend to do these without an interpreter. It's very, very challenging for me,  and for that challenge I have been doing good.

 

 

 

11 Q: How are you able to follow the meetings?

 

A: They usually have an agenda which I can follow, and also, as a deaf professional, I have to learn to arrive at the meeting early so that I can get the best seat, which for me is the one that will give the most visual access to the group meeting. I have to think about positioning myself all the time, and be aware so that I have the advantage of getting all the information I need.

 

 

 

12 Q: How do you communicate with your hearing co-workers?

 

A: I'm able to speak very well. I'm hard of hearing. Sometimes I use the TTY, relay, and interpreters once in awhile, but I tend to communicate with my employers and coworkers through speech and voice most of the time.

 

 

 

13 Q: Do you interact with your co-workers outside the office?

 

A: Yes, I'm involved with many activities with my coworkers because that is helpful when we are also involved with working together on projects and things. I am involved with golf, and softball, and also sometimes we go out on Fridays and meet briefly, so I am involved with those activities for the purpose of benefiting my professional life, for the most part.

 

 

 

14 Q: Do you have another job?

 

A: I work at the Defense Engineering Systems Agency.  I work as a systems engineer there. I also work as a financial consultant for Washington Square Securities, Inc. I work that job on the side as a financial consultant.

 

 

 

15 Q: How do you stay on top of your field?

 

A: My job involves reading several technical journals because my job requires keeping up with technology. We have a technical library. We read a lot of magazines that are required in my job. Also, as a financial professional, I go to various workshops in various states, and I read the Wall Street Journal and other financial magazines to help better keep up with what is happening today.

 

 

 

16 Q: What is the most important skill necessary for your job?

 

A: I think English is probably the most important thing to have when you go into your career. It's important. When I graduated from Gallaudet, I did not finish. I needed to go back and take more courses to better myself. I didn't just stop there. My English is the primary thing that helped me to be successful. Most hearing people are impressed with writing, mostly. Written communication is the most important. Without that, you may have some difficulties, but with improved written communication you may have more success.

 

 

 

17 Q: What can a person do to develop skills?

 

A: I suggest continuing reading, writing, and also continue your education. And get help with writing. Always continue with that. There are classes offered at local community centers that you can take, or just continuing to read and write will help.

 

 

 

18 Q: Do you travel for your company?

 

A: I'm very fortunate that my job sends me to Europe, Hawaii, China… I am able to go to install communication systems there, so I have a lot of opportunity to meet a variety of people doing various kinds of work there, too. I'm very fortunate. Also, I travel alone. My employer is very trusting of me to be able to go and handle the situation by myself.

 

 

 

19 Q: How do you communicate with your office when you travel?

 

A: Mostly I communicate by email when I am out of the country. That's the best way to communicate with my boss. Sometimes I might have to make a voice call to get technical advice about how to change something that I need from my office.

 

 

 

20 Q: What advice do you have for young Deaf teenagers?

 

A: I would encourage that person to find something they are interested in and stay with that, and become the best in that area. Become an expert. Also, continue with positive thinking, free thinking. Don't always go with the crowd. Do what you think is right. Follow your goals, whatever they may be.

 

 

 

21 Q: As a black Deaf man, what are some of the obstacles you face?

 

A: As a Black, Deaf man, you find there are many obstacles against you. Therefore, you have to work even harder than other people do. I would encourage other Deaf Black people to get involved with activities. For example, there is the National Black Deaf Advocates Organization. I was involved with them during the time that I was a student at Gallaudet. I also was the president of that organization at one time. That helped develop my associations with others. Also, you can learn a lot more from other people involved in the organization. I would encourage you to be involved not only with that organization but with other organizations, too, and bring your knowledge to that organization.

 

 

 

22 Q: How do you know what is going on in your office?

 

A: I think I do for the most part. I get the same information, however, when there is a lot of spoken information which I can't catch as a Deaf person, So, I usually meet with coworkers one on one and we talk not only about work but just have casual conversations which open the door for me to ask about what was happening, instead of just saying, "What were you talking about?" I think that's the best way to get information about what is happening in the office.

 

 

 

23 Q: What are some of your future plans?

 

A: My plans for the future are focused on the fact that I recently had a baby girl, so I want to continue as a father, but also in the business area, I plan to expand my financial consulting business on the side, and also continue working as an engineer, but maybe more in a supervisory role instead of a technical person. As I continue working, I feel a need for change, and those are the two areas that will change the most.

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