By Wilsey Zahner, @deca.wilsey | Tolland High School, CT
When November rolled around my first year in DECA and I was told I needed to pick a competitive event to compete in, I had no clue where to begin. Should I choose Business Administration because of my passion for leadership? Or Hospitality because of my love for customer service? I ended up settling on Entrepreneurship Series, and while I enjoyed learning more about growing ventures and innovating products, it wasn’t the perfect fit for me.
What I didn’t realize at the time is that choosing a DECA event isn’t guesswork: it’s about finding the category that aligns with how you think, what excites you and the skills you want to develop. And with over 50 competitive events, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed.
Here are some tips for new members choosing their event for the first time - or seasoned members looking to switch it up!
Finding the Right Event for You:
1. Reflect on What You Enjoy
Are you energized by speaking off the cuff? Do you love analyzing numbers? Are you at your best when helping others, innovating solutions or crafting marketing messages? Your interests are often the clearest indicator of the category you’ll thrive in.
2. Consider Your Comfort Zone & Beyond
If presenting without being able to practice terrifies you, a prepared event might be a better starting point. If you want to improve your presentation skills, a role-play can be a great low-risk way to grow.
3. Talk to Experienced Members and Advisors
Upperclassmen can offer honest insights into what different events truly entail, how challenging they are, and what judges respond to.
4. Think about your Future Goals
If you’re interested in business ownership, Entrepreneurship and Finance events might be helpful. Marketing appeals to creative thinkers, while Hospitality suits people who love human connection.
5. Try Sample Events
On DECA’s competitive events page, you can find sample events for every category. Try a role-play, or read a sample presentation, and see if you can picture yourself in that event.
After going through this entire trial-and-error journey myself, I decided to create a resource that I wish I had when I started.
Introducing: “Find the Right DECA Competitive Event for You”
It’s a short, personality-quiz-style form designed to help you discover which events best match your interests, skills, and strengths. Whether you’re brand new or thinking about switching categories, this tool can point you in a direction that makes sense for you. Want to give it a try? Check out this link.
Selecting the right event can have a significant impact on your year, and finding the right fit can boost your confidence as both a competitor and a member, ultimately transforming your DECA experience. Make sure to check out the quiz, and happy competition season!
