As a chapter and association leader, and now an executive officer, I’ve discovered so many resources on DECA.org that I never knew existed and wish I had utilized sooner.
Whether you’re a brand-new Collegiate DECA member or have been involved for years, there are tools on DECA.org that can help you get more out of your DECA experience. My goal is to spread awareness of these resources so you can take advantage of everything DECA has to offer. Among the most helpful are Competitive Events resources, the Leadership Passport Program, DECA Direct Online, scholarships and educational conferences.
Competitive Events Program
📲 deca.org/collegecompete
The Collegiate DECA Competitive Events Program page has everything a seasoned or brand-new competitor could need. Events are broken down into individual case studies, team case studies and prepared business presentations. They are also organized by career clusters: marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, hospitality and tourism, and business management and administration.
Each case study event has its own page with practice case studies, practice exams (if applicable), potential performance indicators, guidelines and expectations and additional resources. Prepared business presentations also have individual pages where you can find the topic for the current year once it is released, event restrictions, guidelines and expectations, required paperwork, a sample event and competition tips.
This is one resource I recommend every competitor review thoroughly before selecting an event, and return to throughout the competition season. Whether you’re trying to choose the right event or preparing for your next level of competition, there is likely a resource on the Competitive Events page that can help.
Leadership Passport Program
📲 deca.org/collegepassport
Another online resource every member should know about is the Leadership Passport Program page. The program gives members opportunities to gain practical experiences, develop their leadership abilities and receive recognition for what they accomplish throughout the year.
Collegiate DECA offers individual, chapter and association Leadership Passports, creating opportunities for recognition at every level of the organization. Leadership Passport participants can even earn recognition at Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference!
If you’re already attending DECA events, participating in your chapter and developing yourself professionally, take a look at the Passport requirements. You may already be completing activities that count toward recognition without realizing it.
Check out this great DECA Direct Online article from Angela Ye to learn more about the Leadership Passport Program.
DECA Direct Online
📲 decadirect.org
If you’re reading this article, you’ve already found another great resource: DECA Direct Online. DECA Direct gives members access to career insights, leadership lessons, college advice, DECA opportunities and unique perspectives from throughout the organization. Rather than only benefiting from DECA during chapter meetings or conferences, you can use this resource throughout the entire year.
New articles and career-related content can also help you prepare for competitions and professional opportunities. Regularly reading about business, leadership and DECA can expose you to new ideas, help you think critically about business situations and show you new ways to get involved.
Take some time to explore beyond the newest articles. You might find competition advice, leadership ideas or professional development resources that are exactly what you need at this point in your DECA journey.
If you have a best practice, chapter spotlight or insightful article that you'd like to share on DECA Direct Online, submit your content today for a chance to have your story shared on decadirect.org.
Scholarships
📲 deca.org/collegescholarships
For members looking to get the most out of DECA, scholarship opportunities may be one of the most practical benefits available. Collegiate DECA membership provides access to DECA's scholarship program, which awards more than $200,000 in scholarships. Scholarship opportunities consider areas such as DECA involvement, leadership, community service and academic performance, depending on the specific award.
If you’re already putting time and effort into DECA, leadership and your academics, don’t overlook the opportunity to turn those accomplishments into financial support for your education. Review the available scholarships, pay attention to eligibility requirements and deadlines, and apply for the opportunities that fit your experiences.
You can’t receive a scholarship if you never apply for one!
Educational Conferences
📲 deca.org/collegeconferences
Finally, Collegiate DECA conferences are one of the best ways to experience what the organization has to offer beyond your own campus. Conferences combine what you learn in the classroom with real-world experiences and offer opportunities for leadership development, competitive events, professional networking and more.
Networking is one of the biggest advantages of attending these events. Conferences bring together Collegiate DECA members from different schools and associations along with business professionals from a variety of industries. The people you meet can introduce you to new perspectives, career paths and opportunities while helping you become more comfortable building professional relationships.
Before attending your next conference, check the Collegiate DECA Educational Conferences page to see what opportunities will be available, and consider what you want to get out of the experience. Competing may be a major part of a conference, but it doesn’t have to be the only part.
Make the Most of DECA.org
The DECA and DECA Direct Online websites have far more to offer than many members realize. From competitive events resources and Leadership Passport Program information, to scholarships and educational conference opportunities, there are so many tools available to help you make the most of your Collegiate DECA experience.
I wish I had known about and utilized more of these resources earlier in my DECA journey, which is exactly why I encourage you to explore them now. Whether you’re a new member trying to figure out where to start or an experienced member preparing for your next competition, leadership position or conference, take some time to explore DECA.org.
You never know which resource could lead to your next DECA opportunity!
