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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.

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Leadership Passport Recipients
Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Collegiate DECA Leadership Passport Program recipients! The Collegiate DECA Leadership Passport Program encourages associations, chapters and individual members to plan activities and participate in events that enhance the experiences of members.

Case Study of the Week: Pausing Operations to Strengthen Customer Service
Step into the role of an operations assistant for Blue Ribbon Gifts. A customer service employee wants you to explain how a pause in order fulfillment can be communicated as positive customer relations to those complaining.

Collegiate DECA Stock Market Challenge Experience
This year, I participated in the Stock Market Challenge, an experience that both challenged and enhanced my understanding of finance. It allowed me to apply what I've learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios while playing a pivotal role in shaping my career aspirations.

Case Study of the Week: Elevating the Customer Experience During Air Travel
Step into the role of the director of customer experience for Royal Airways. The chief marketing officer wants you to create a customer amenity kit for both domestic and international flights that will elevate the customer experience.

Passing the Torch: How to Ensure a Smooth Leadership Transition for your Chapter
Now is the time to begin selecting our division’s next leaders. Whether you are a chapter president passing down the gavel or serving on a chapter election committee, the decisions made during this stage are crucial to future chapter success.

Gear Up to Be The One at Collegiate DECA ICDC
San Francisco’s calling! The Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference lands at the Marriott Marquis, April 5-8, 2025, bringing together Emerging Leaders from around the world.

The Connection between Cybersecurity and Leaders of Tomorrow
While we focus on the soft skills to become emerging leaders, we forget that those skills relate to cybersecurity in various ways. Hear from a student leader who has shown the benefits of having leadership and cybersecurity experience together.

5 Ways DECA Helps You Build Resilience
Resilience is built through experiences, and DECA provides countless opportunities to strengthen this essential skill. By developing adaptability, confidence and perseverance, members gain a competitive edge that will serve them well in their future endeavors.

Case Study of the Week: Methods to Market Safety
Step into the role of the regional manager for Rental Car Academy. The regional vice president wants you to determine how to best market an optional yet important new service only for customers in the region.

Finance Cluster Exam Tips
Are you competing in a finance event? If so, you will need to take the Finance Cluster Exam. Some tips for doing well include avoiding getting stuck on questions, using background knowledge, using the process of elimination, studying key terms, and taking practice tests.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Ace Your Case Study
Are you looking for ways to improve your case study before Collegiate DECA ICDC? Check out this step-by-step guide to learn how to ace your case study!

Advocacy Day with Washington DECA
Recently, Washington DECA visited state representatives and senators alongside seven other CTSOs. We met with legislators to explain the personal impact of DECA and CTE on their lives and discuss issues about our specific geographical areas.