The DECA program is a business club offered at the school. In the club you get to learn about the business world and go and get to compete in events.
DECA not only gives students good opportunities and experience in the business world but also teaches them valuable life skills.
“A lot of soft skills like those communication skills, interviewing skills, some business etiquette, how to dress and how to behave,” Kristi Walker, the DECA advisor said.
DECA has two aspects: the role-play and the test. You also pick an event that varies between business categories.
The roleplay is a business scenario in which you are given a prompt and time to rehearse and prepare beforehand. Then, depending on whether you have a partner, you have a one-on-one or two-on-one conversation with the judge acting as if you were in the real-life scenario given on the prompt.
The test you take is 100 questions and is based on what event you choose which evaluates your business/marketing skills.
DECA is a really beneficial club for many reasons.
“DECA teaches students really important life skills, it teaches you to be confident and talk to people, it teaches you how to think on your feet and critical thinking skills and how to solve solutions,” Griffin Gerrity, Vice President of competitive events said.
Another benefit of DECA is that it looks really good on college resumes, especially being a member for all four years of your high school career. DECA also highlights your business and marketing skills.
People have many different reasons for joining DECA such as building your resume, getting firsthand business scenarios and experience and learning soft skills.
There are several benefits to being in DECA, but some members prefer certain benefits more than others.
“Being able to put it on my resume because it’s a good business club,” sophomore Jack Llamas said.
DECA is also a great program to meet new friends and network with other people. Some people’s favorite part of the club is the connection.
“competing at districts and the state level…with your friends and having a fun time competing,” Gerrity said.
DECA can also be a fun competition when competing. At the WFHS DECA chapter, only a certain number of students advance to the state competition after competing in districts and only a small number of people reach nationals after getting an award in the state competition, so it can get really competitive.
DECA helps students find what they’re interested in and plan their future.
“When you come up to the advanced studies class and do some things and do some project planning it starts to help you figure out where your passion is, what you like to do, and actually prepares you to contact business professionals,” Walker said.
Benefits like this are also reasons some people start DECA.
“It teaches people about business and how to incorporate business in your future,” Llamas said.
Overall DECA has many benefits and many reasons to join. It helps with soft skills, networking, improves business and marketing knowledge, it’s fun, looks good on resumes, and helps get an idea of future plans.
