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Celebrate the Good Times
Being a leader, it is natural to constantly be on-the-go finding new ways to innovate and new goals to accomplish. However, it is still important to recognize and reward yourself and those around you. It’s important to celebrate!

The College Application Portfolio: Brand "Me"
It's your senior year and you’ve sorted through dozens of emails, mounds of catalogs and texts. You’ve identified one college or university as the launching pad for your career in marketing communications, but how will you land a coveted position in their next freshman class?

Summer of Success
Summer jobs and internships are the perfect way to build your professional experience and put your networking skills to use. Check out our top tips to help you make the most of your summer gig and deliver a next level performance from day one!

Tips from the Pros: Career Advice from Former DECA Executive Officers
We caught up with some of DECA's former Executive Officers and asked them to share their top piece of advice for DECA members to succeed in their future careers. Here’s what they had to say.

Does It Matter?
Whether you are in high school, undergraduate studies or graduate school, it’s important to put your best foot forward and focus on your academic career.

6 Tips to Choose Your College or University
Whether you’re just starting to gather information or in the midst of virtual campus tours and applications, these six tips will help you navigate this important decision.

Is Collegiate DECA Right for You?
Are you interested in continuing your DECA journey after high school? If so, Collegiate DECA is the organization for you!

7 Ways to Stand Out During an Internship
How do you ensure that you make your mark and become an intern that shines, even in a virtual world?
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Must-Have Mentors (and How to Find Them)
As a young professional, mentors are key for getting the guidance you need to grow in your career. But not all mentors are the same, and you’ll need more than one mentor type to get a well-rounded perspective on your career.

6 Tips to Take Your Networking Skills to the Next Level
LinkedIn profile? Check. Solid handshake? Check. You’ve got the basics down, but what else should you be doing to take your networking to the #NextLevel? Check out these networking tips known only to the pros and start building new connections!

Get into the Gap
If you’re one of the many students delaying or thinking about delaying college, here’s what you should know to have a productive and meaningful gap year or semester.

DECA Direct Magazine: What Comes Next?
As another year in DECA nears its end, it’s time to look forward to what comes next! Whether you’re preparing for college, seeking internships or getting ready to start your career, you’ll find the resources you need to stand out from the crowd.

Go The Extra: The Collegiate DECA Program of Leadership
Your Collegiate DECA Executive Officer team is excited to announce our 2025-2026 Program of Leadership. Focus areas for the Collegiate division include member engagement, member recruitment and leadership development.

Choosing Your Major: What Every College Freshman Should Know
Your major doesn’t define your future—but it can help guide it. Take your time, use your resources and lean on communities like DECA for insight and inspiration.

Tips and Tricks for Collegiate DECA Member Recruitment
We’re so close to courses starting back up! That means it’s the perfect time to get ready to recruit new members who will join your DECA chapter on campus. Get ready to find some of the best students on campus to join.

Tips on Navigating an Internship
An internship offers valuable lessons that apply to nearly any industry. Whether you’re in tech, marketing or nuclear science, here are a few key takeaways to help you get the most out of the experience.

DECA Welcomes New Partners in Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
Please join us in applauding our newest collaborators who are providing realistic insights into business and industry, and promoting meaningful, relevant learning for DECA members.

Get to Know the 2025-2026 Collegiate DECA Executive Officers
During this year's Collegiate DECA ICDC in San Francisco, members elected the leaders who will serve during the 2025-2026 school year. As they gear up for an exciting year ahead, take a moment to learn more about the faces behind the blazers and the stories that brought them here.

How to Track Your Chapter’s Summer Goals Like a Pro
Summer is the perfect time to build momentum for your DECA chapter. Start small, stay organized, check in often and keep your purpose in focus to turn summer goals into real success when school starts.

Ingredients of Successful Chapter Leadership
Successful management for DECA depends on teamwork, roles, motivation, communication, flexibility, planning and leadership. These are the recipes for a successful team that can do incredible things and learn together.

Innovative Advisors Wanted for DECA Advisor of the Week
Help DECA spotlight advisors from across the organization for their creative, original and effective best practices in their classroom and in their chapter.

Helping Your DECA Members Avoid Penalty Points: A Guide for Advisors
As DECA advisors, one of our crucial roles is helping student members navigate the technical requirements of written events. Use this article to guide your student members in avoiding common penalty point deductions.

Stand Out with Gratitude: Why DECA Members Should Embrace Thank-You Notes
Gen Z was a generation raised on texting, DMs and 24/7 connectivity. Sitting down to write a thank-you card might feel outdated or even awkward. But in the professional world, that’s exactly what makes it such a powerful move.

From Idea to CDECA ICDC: A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching a Collegiate DECA Chapter
Starting a Collegiate DECA chapter might seem a lot at first, but with the right plan and the right team, it’ll become an exciting and rewarding journey. You’ll get to lead, compete, grow and build a legacy brand on your campus.