DECA helps you elevate to new heights

This week I volunteered to judge at the Colorado State DECA Conference at the Broadmoor. I first heard about DECA last Fall when our daughter transferred to Pine Creek High School. Pine Creek suggested she consider DECA as a follow-on to her business class from her sophomore year in Moscow, Russia. 

My daughter has benefited from an experience that is so much more than a business club. The combined marketing and entrepreneurship program has inspired her to be more active and outgoing and has helped her develop skills well beyond the four points of the DECA diamond.

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA has given her job experiences and skills that are preparing her for the real world. What is most impressive, is how much more DECA does. DECA also emphasizes the development of leadership characteristics, self-confidence, self-acceptance, and a greater appreciation of the responsibilities of citizenship.

I saw this firsthand when I was judging students this week. The wide array of competitive events is impressive. It runs the gamut from principles of business management and administration to entrepreneurship.   Even more impressive is the standards that DECA competitors are held to during their evaluations.  DECA’s evaluation process involves students in both a written component such as an exam or report and an interactive component with an industry professional serving as a judge. For example, I judged the start-up business plan event. The guidelines for that event include an 11-page paper following a strict format, an in-person interview (samples are viewable here) and an exam. Keep in mind this was a high-school level competition. The rigor and depth in the process helped me learn!

After witnessing the impressive competition and awards ceremony I researched further. DECA is just one of several Career and Technical Student Organizations (CSTOs). The most prominent are: DECA, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), FCCLA (Famly, Career and Community Leaders of America), National FFA Organization, HOSA – Future Health Professionals , SkillsUSA, and TSA (Technology Student Association). Each of these serve different interests but all provide an opportunity for students and leaders to learn and grow.

I encourage you to look for opportunities to serve in these and other organizations that help all of us climb higher together!