By Kanika Agarwala | @deca.kanika | Burlington DECA, MA
Last year, I competed in my very first Corporate Challenge and was lucky enough to win first place. What started as a new experience quickly became one of the highlights of my DECA journey. Working alongside my best friend, I had the opportunity to walk across the ICDC stage in front of 26,000 people and earn the coveted DECA glass, making the experience even more memorable.
For our challenge, we created a video presentation proposing a teen-centered beverage for Nestlé, one of the world's leading food and beverage companies. Our project covered identifying our target audience, conducting a business analysis, developing an alignment strategy, and creating a marketing campaign. Throughout the process, I developed valuable skills, especially teamwork. Unlike my usual DECA role-plays, the corporate challenge allowed me to collaborate closely with my teammate on a product we personally connected with and felt passionate about. This experience showed me a different side of DECA and gave me the opportunity to apply my business knowledge to a more in-depth project.
Our experience extended beyond the competition itself. At ICDC, we had the opportunity to meet representatives from Nestlé, the sponsor of our challenge, and connect with other Corporate Challenge winners. We also earned a scholarship that helped cover our travel expenses to ICDC, making the experience even more rewarding.
If you are looking for another way to get involved in DECA, a Corporate Challenge is a wonderful opportunity to explore. This year, there are 12 different challenges sponsored by various companies, giving students the chance to find a project that aligns with their interests and strengths. Whether you enjoy marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, or creative problem-solving, these challenges encourage you to think outside the box and apply your skills to real-world business scenarios.
Also, you can participate in a Corporate Challenge alongside your regular role-play or prepared event, giving you another way to get involved. With deadlines spread throughout the year, you can explore different opportunities and find one that fits your schedule. You can even submit multiple!
My first Corporate Challenge taught me that some of the most rewarding DECA experiences come from trying something new. Whether you want to develop your business skills, collaborate with a teammate, connect with industry professionals, or compete for the chance to earn DECA glass, I encourage you to explore the Corporate Challenges available this year. You never know where it might take you!
