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Career Insights

Love Sells: What Valentine’s Day Teaches Us About Consumer Behavior

Feb 1, 2026

While Valentine’s Day is often viewed as a celebration of relationships, from a business perspective, it represents something else entirely: a powerful case study in consumer behavior.

Chapter Strategy

Small Steps, Big Impact: Go the Extra During CTE Month

Feb 1, 2026

This month is your moment to step not only into the professional realm, but also the legislative realm. Here’s a look at how you can meet with your elected officials during CTE Month and beyond.

Career Insights

Super Bowl Advertising: Is It Worth It?

Feb 1, 2026

For DECA members, Super Bowl advertising demonstrates an important lesson: success is driven by preparation and strategy, not budget alone. Even on the biggest stage, impact depends on execution.

Compete

Mastering the Mindset for Competition

Feb 1, 2026

From your very first role-play to stepping into a final round at ICDC, that mix of excitement and anxiety is almost unavoidable. Being nervous can sharpen your focus, fuel your energy and push you to perform at your best.

Chapter Strategy

How Every Student Can Advocate for CTE

Feb 1, 2026

Advocacy does not require a title, a podium or even a formal meeting. It starts with everyday actions and intentional choices that elevate the value of CTE in schools, communities, DECA and beyond.

College Success

From Career Clusters to Campuses: Navigating College Success with DECA

Jan 30, 2026

Ask almost any senior what they’re most nervous about when it comes to college, and you’ll probably hear the same answer: choosing a major. With so many options, it’s easy to make a decision. That’s where DECA makes a real difference.

Career Insights

Preparing for the Business World of 2026: A DECA Member's Guide

Jan 30, 2026

DECA members are preparing for careers in a world where yesterday's strategies cannot necessarily guarantee tomorrow's success. Here are three essential skills every member should implement to thrive in 2026 and beyond.

Chapter Strategy

February is CTE Month: Tips for Getting Involved

Jan 30, 2026

Advocacy is something every DECA member can take part in. Check out these advocacy tips shared by DECA members who have seen firsthand how speaking up can create opportunities and protect funding.

DECA News

Congratulations to the 2025-26 Nestlé Professional Solutions Beverage Marketing Challenge Winners

Jan 29, 2026

DECA and Nestlé are pleased to announce the winners of this year’s NPS Beverage Marketing Challenge.

Leadership

5 Things I Learned as an Association Officer Outside the Classroom

Jan 27, 2026

Beyond the metrics and milestones, my greatest takeaways have been the lessons I learned along the way. Here are the five things that I definitely learned in DECA outside of the classroom.‍

Spotlights

Leadership in Action: Decision Making and Management in DECA

Jan 27, 2026

Learn from President and Executive Vice President of Winston Churchill DECA, Alina Choudhury and Mason Schiff, as they share insights into guiding their chapter and making decisions.

College Success

College is No Longer One-Size-Fits-All: How Students are Redefining Success Before Day 1

Jan 27, 2026

For decades, college success followed a familiar formula. Today, students are beginning to question that model. This shift is changing how students define college success, and it often begins well before students ever step onto a campus.

Compete

5 Things to Help You Prep for Your Prepared Event

Feb 6, 2018

Association conferences are right around the corner for DECA members everywhere, and while some members are not too worried about getting ready, others may have already started stressing out.

Career Insights

DECA Direct Magazine: Food and Hospitality

Jan 18, 2018

This issue takes you inside the hospitality industry to discover the vast opportunities available to DECA members. Plus, we have an exclusive interview with two former Utah DECA members who were recently featured on Shark Tank for their creative solution to traditional wedding bands.

Compete

Top Competition Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

Nov 21, 2017

Let’s face it, DECA has a lot to offer, but competition is what most DECA members look forward to. Dedicated DECA members will start studying and practicing for their competitive event months in advance.

Career Insights

DECA Direct Magazine: Tech Trends

Nov 20, 2017

This issue features articles from colleges and companies exploring the topic of virtual reality technology and how it's changing the way business is done, jobs are created and consumers are shopping.

Compete

5 Ways to Spice Up Your Competition Prep Routine

Oct 26, 2017

The quest for DECA glass is long and daunting, and sometimes it can get pretty tedious. Here are some ideas to help spice up your normal study routine.

Leadership

DECA Direct Magazine: Limitless

Sep 3, 2017

This issue features an the #Limitless Year Quiz that you can take to find a perfectly tailored list of DECA conferences, programs, challenges and activities you can participate in this year that relate to your own career interest.

DECA News

Collegiate DECA's 2016-2017 Recognition Award Winners

Apr 5, 2017

Congratulations to these Collegiate DECA members for owning their futures this year!

DECA News

Collegiate DECA 2016-2017 Leadership Passport Program Recipients

Apr 5, 2017

Congratulations to these chapters and members for all their hard work! Way to #OwnYourFuture!

DECA News

Collegiate DECA Scholarship Recipients 2016-2017

Mar 20, 2017

Collegiate DECA scholarship recipients present at the 2017 #CDECAICDC in will be recognized on stage.

Compete

3 Quick Tips to Nail Your DECA Role-Play

Feb 9, 2017

With some competitions in full swing and many coming up in a month or less, many competitors are practicing and preparing for their role-play. Here are some pointers to brush up on that will help you nail your time in front of a judge.

Compete

Collegiate DECA Competition Tips from the Pros

Jan 18, 2017

Everybody is getting excited for their local competitions and the International Career Development Conference in April. It’s also the time that people start asking what they need to do to be successful in the upcoming competitions, so I’ve gathered some tips from the pros.

Compete

First Time Competitors Survival Guide

Jan 5, 2017

Go and grab your DECA blazer and your nicest tie, because the competition season is upon us! Here’s a three-step guide to get you through your first competitive conference.