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Why Join DECA?

Chapter Information

State Officers

Tips for Competition

“DECA is a lot of fun and I really learn a lot; I got hooked my first year!”
Liz Eastham
Campbell County High School

“DECA participation looks good on a résumé and it offers a lot of scholarship opportunities.”
Jeremy Gross
Campbell County High School

“Honestly, our students join to go on trips and meet new people. Some tell me, “My friends say DECA is cool.” I also mention to them that some local businesses will hire DECA students above other students and sometimes pay them more than other students – that’s an incentive!”
Mary Hopper
Kelly Walsh Chapter Advisor

“DECA not only prepares you for a career in business, but it also offers a lot of travel opportunities – Salt Lake City, Orlando & Nashville – what other high school program can do that?”
Allen Hankins
Campbell County High School

Why Join Deca?
By Sara Hoon

Business is evident everywhere in the world, and having understanding and experience in business and marketing can assist students in becoming better employees, knowledgeable voters, and successful business leaders. Having hands on involvement with business concepts is imperative to make it in today's world. DECA (An Association of Marketing Students) helps to provide the necessary tools to further students career interests.

In DECA, students will get the chance to explore the world of business marketing and management in the classroom, in some schools they will have the chance to become involved in On-the-Job training, and have the chance to take what they have learned in school and on the job and compete at local DECA Invitationals, Regionals, the State Conference, and even the International Career Development Conference.

Once a student enters into a business classroom they are immediately open to several opportunities. They learn about economics, business concepts, market research and other fundamental marketing lessons that will prepare them for college and/or work. Various schools throughout the country also offer the chance to help operate a school store that gives hands on experience into the goings on of a business. On-the-Job Training is also a branch of the DECA program that some schools may offer. Students have the chance to obtain school credit for their job and leave school early to go to work.

DECA competition gives students the opportunity to apply what they have learned and win awards and scholarships. DECA competition offers an array of events that can appeal to a variety of industries and interests, whether its Sports or Food, DECA can prepare you for success.

There is no one that has walked away from DECA with regrets. Attending a DECA conference is an experience that will stay with anyone. On the state level, hundreds of competitors meet to challenge themselves; through difficult hundred questions timed tests and business role-plays. Other events include written business plans; quiz bowl, and civic consciousness projects. There are workshops held by business leaders, and chances to meet other students that share the same interests. On the national level, thousands of hard working competitors spend a week competing in grueling competitions with corporate leaders as their judges. DECA truly is the experience of a lifetime.

How do you join DECA?

Ask your school counselor if you have a DECA program and who to contact for more information. You can even find out more about DECA on your own by visiting DECA's national web site www.deca.org to explore the many opportunities available to you!