Recently, I just got back from DECA State and wanted to share with you why I liked it so much, as well as many of my peers, and wished I pursued it earlier.

So what is DECA?

DECA is a Business club that forms students into future Business Leaders. According to North Forsyth High School, “DECA is a national association for students and teachers of marketing, management, and entrepreneurship”. There are two different categories of events you could compete in. Personally, I did a written event, which is a 10-20-page manual that you work on in advance. There are different categories as Start-up Business plans, Community Awareness, Executive Plans, and much more. I did an Innovation Plan and my entrepreneurship teacher, Mrs. Greenholz, had us work on our manuals and brainstorm ideas the entire first semester to compete in DECA. Because of this business course, I was automatically accepted to compete in DECA state.

Role Plays are the second option of competition in the State competition. Role Plays are more competitive because you have to qualify in Districts first. Role Plays are basically improv where you take on the role of a specific company and case study scenarios that reflect current issues and trends in the business industry. A new DECA senior this year said, “You have to think on your feet, and you can be super creative in the role plays. It’s so exhilarating because I get to be super creative and I really like problem-solving, so coming up with a way to fix the problem, especially when you can bounce off a partner, is an adrenaline rush. DECA is also something that doesn’t require a lot of time and anyone can compete”. Because these Role Plays are completely based off of thinking on your feet, the time commitment is little to none, and it is heavily community-based without the constant workload of other beneficial clubs.

In what ways does DECA benefit me in the future?

Not only is DECA a low-commitment and super fun club, but it is catered to improving social skills, and future opportunities. I asked a Junior from Chatfield, Haley Torres, why she saw DECA as beneficial, and she replied: “Because it allows me to prepare myself for future business leading”. Because of the way the club prepares you, it helps incredibly with social skills and even with networking for a real future career. A Senior from Chatfield said that she enjoys DECA because of the Business atmosphere. She said, “I like the business experience and the way that it mocks what a real business professional meeting would look like”. Because of the extreme benefits and experience, you can get out of the club DECA, I recommend joining it because I wish I had done it earlier!