Collegiate DECA is known for its vast impact on students. It achieves this by equipping students with essential skills and experiences that lead to successful careers. Members can quickly learn invaluable knowledge through competitive events and business education while cultivating lasting friendships.
Samuel Jurca, Madelin Gagner, and Bella Biever are three DECA members who have experienced firsthand the transformative power of DECA in their careers.
Samuel Jurca, Vice President of the State Fair Community College Collegiate DECA Chapter, joined DECA to engage more with his campus community. His experience in competitive events, particularly in Human Resources, has been instrumental in his current role as Assistant Project Manager for a government contractor. The strategies he learned in DECA, such as conflict resolution and efficiency improvements, have helped him quickly manage personnel and operations. Samuel's DECA experience has equipped him with the skills to oversee custodial detail and efficiency, manage the cleanliness of a sales floor and warehouse, and handle various other managerial tasks.
Madelin Gagner, Vice President of Marketing at Colorado State University DECA, credits DECA for her confidence in seizing new opportunities that come her way. Her journey with DECA began in high school and continued through college, where she took on leadership roles and embraced new challenges, transitioning to student-led chapters. Balancing roles as a dance teacher, campus intern and social media coordinator, she applies DECA-taught skills in leadership and multitasking daily. The experience at Collegiate DECA ICDC in Orlando helped her build lasting relationships and fueled her passion for DECA, enabling her to excel in various professional roles.
Bella Biever, President of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater DECA, joined DECA for similar reasons as Samuel: to connect with more people at her college and to engage in a club that offers professional growth and the chance to make lifelong friends. In her career as a Wedding Planner and Day-of-Coordinator, Bella uses the time management and stress management skills she obtained through her DECA experience to exceed client expectations. Her job involves managing wedding events from start to finish, coordinating with vendors, setting up venues and providing emotional support to the wedding parties. The case studies and competitive environment of DECA taught her to work efficiently under pressure, skills essential in the fast-paced nature of wedding and event planning.
Participating in DECA, students develop critical professional skills, gain confidence and embrace new challenges. Whether managing teams, coordinating complex projects or thriving under pressure, DECA prepares its members for successful careers in various fields. The experiences and lessons learned through DECA are invaluable, demonstrating the organization's vital role in shaping future professionals.
