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A Guide to DECA

Basics

Click here for details.

Joining

Click here for details.

Preparing

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Competing

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Basics

Basics

What is DECA?

  • DECA is a business competition for students to learn more about the business realm and learn to apply skills of business.

  • There are multiple events that you can enter (events range from team events to solo events). More information about events will be given at our GAs or you can message Shreya Nakka (the Vice President and Competitions Supervisor).

  • Some events require you to take a test, but we will prepare you for this test.

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What events are there in DECA?

  • There are five main sections that you can compete in for DECA:

    1. Business Management + Administration​

    2. Finance

    3. Marketing

    4. Hospitality + Tourism

    5. Entrepreneurship​​​​

  • Entrepreneurship is more of an overarching section that you should apply to all aspects of a business.

    • There is an optional event (but highly recommended), called the ​Entrepreneurship Challenge, in which you are given 24 hours to create a business based off of a given theme.

      • At the end of the 24 hours, you must present your business to a series of judges.​

      • The winner gets their ICDC funds paid for.

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What is ICDC?

  • ICDC is the international level for DECA.

  • To compete in ICDC, you must qualify for it by placing as a finalist in the state DECA conference.

  • At ICDC, you have a choice of either competing in the same event s you did in state DECA (recommended) or you may choose to enter another event.​​

    • The events at state DECA are the same as ICDC.​

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How does DECA work?

  • For collegiate DECA, students start off their competition at the DECA State Conference in Austin, Texas

    • Further details about commuting and lodging will be discussed in a GA (please keep a look out for posts on our Facebook page to see when our GAs are).

    • Be sure to join the DECA Facebook page as well!

  • You will first be instructed to let the TBO execs know your intent on competing in DECA.

  • We will proceed to walk you through what events we recommend you to sign up for.

  • Then, we will work on training and preparing you for your event. Please message an exec if you have any questions or requests. We will try our best to help you out!

  • At the state level, we will travel to Austin, Texas to compete in the three-day long DECA event.

  • If you qualify for ICDC, the international level of DECA, we will have another GA discussing ICDC.

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How does ICDC work?

  • Typically, ICDC is located either in Florida, California, Georgia, or Tennessee. We will let you know of the exact location as ICDC approaches.

  • We will need to commute to another state for the three-day event.

  • Beyond competing in your business event, DECA usually allows competitors to visit tourist attractions at the state we are traveling to.

    • Exact details about how we will be traveling will be discussed closer to the date of ICDC at a GA.​

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At TAMS, we send our high school students to compete at the collegiate level of DECA.

  • If you are nervous about competing with college students, do not worry as we will ensure to prepare you for your competition. If at any point in the preparation process for DECA you feel as if you need help with anything, do not hesitate to message an exec.

  • For the past two years, we have had a 100% success rate at sending our students to ICDC, the international level of DECA.

    • Last year, all 77 of our competitors advanced to the ICDC level.​

  • At ICDC, over 25 of our students placed as a finalist (top 10 winners).

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Main Take-Aways​​

  • DECA is a business competition.

  • There are two levels to DECA (state and international/ICDC).

  • There are different types of events that you can enter.

  • TAMS competes in Collegiate DECA.

  • Make sure to keep updated on further details by joining our Facebook page to learn about pertinent information regarding GAs and other events.

    • Feel free to message an exec if you have further questions.​

Joining

Joining

Anyone is able to join any event that we are hosting! Even if you have never done anything business related or you do not want to pursue business as a career in the future, we highly encourage you to give DECA and our other events a chance. The skills you learn from competitions like DECA will teach you important skills for any job such as professionalism, communication, and more!

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How do I join DECA?

  • In the first semester, we will post in our Facebook group a link to join a DECA Facebook group.

    • Make sure to join this group if you have any interest whatsoever in participating in DECA.​

  • We will help you choose your event and lead you through the process of competing in DECA through the use of that Facebook page and GAs.

    • If you wish to meet with the execs or committee heads privately, please shoot any of us a message!​

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What if I don't do well in DECA?

  • Most of the competitors in the past few years have had little to no experience with business, but they were still able to do well in the competition.

  • Additionally, winning isn't everything; the experience of learning public-speaking, presentation skills, and more is truly an irreplaceable experience!

    • Remember to have fun with it!

 

We look forward to getting to know you!

Preparing

Preparing

We have a few methods that we use in order to prepare you for your event.

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How do I know which event to choose?

  • There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an event:

    • Would you be willing to take a test?​

      • If so, consider entering solo role-play events.

      • If not, there are some solo events that do not require you to take a test. Also, most group/pre-prepared events do not require you to take a test.

    • Would you like to work in a group?

      • If so, typically group projects have 2-3 group members​. You would need to be able to coordinate easily with group members.

    • Would you like to spend time preparing the presentation ahead of time?

      • If so enter a pre-prepared event.​

        • Most pre-prepared events require you to have a presentation (like a board or a PowerPoint with an oral speech) as well as a written entry that is due slightly before the date of the competition.

      • If not, there are case studies events where you do not need to prepare your whole presentation beforehand.

        • You should still prepare templates for your event because you will need a presentation (like a board or aPowerPoint with an oral speech)​ as well as any other data your event requires you to make within a short time frame at the competition.

  • If you need help choosing an event, message an exec to schedule a meeting​ to discuss an event we think best suits you.

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How do I prepare for the test?

  • There are online practice tests for you to take that replicate what the DECA test is going to look like.

  • Our committee heads will also be holding regular GAs in order to teach a few business concepts and go over any questions you may have.

  • If you want more resources and advice, please message an exec.

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How do I prepare for a written entry?

  • Make sure you read the guidelines for your event and follow the directions carefully.

    • DECA is strict with their rules, so make sure you don't get points counted off for silly mistakes. 

  • When you are done writing your written entry, you can message an exec to help you double check your paper.

  • Below I have attached what a written entry should look like (please do not get in trouble because of plagiarism):

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How do I prepare for a presentation?

  • Make sure you address all of the points that your prompt asks for.

  • You can do many things for the visual aspect of your presentation

    • Some examples include a PowerPoint or a poster board​

  • For presentations that do not require you to complete the presentation prior to your competition, have a basic template saved on your laptop.

    • That way, you simply need to fill in statistics and data according to your case study.​

  • When you complete the visual and oral presentation aspect to your event, message an exec so we can give you advice on how to improve your presentation.

  • I have attached an example of a completed PowerPoint (please do not get in trouble because of plagiarism):

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Note that the dress code for DECA is business professional (meaning a suit and formal shoes). While we may be providing resources to help you prepare for your event, please make sure that you are also putting in the effort to prepare for your event as well. We can only do so much to help you :)

Competing

Competing

  • For both DECA State and ICDC, we will be staying overnight at a hotel.

    • You should bring

      • writing utensils

      • your laptop

      • anything your event may require (Ex. forms, poster board, written entry, DECA folio)

      • a change of clothes

      • toiletries​

      • business formal wear (suit plus formal shoes)

      • lint roller

      • water

      • money

      • *please try fitting everything in one bag (no suitcases please)*

  • As soon as you walk into your competition room, you must act like the role you are supposed to be.

    • The little things will make you stand out​:

      • Ex. If you are playing a business researcher and your judge is a manager, you should address your judge as a manager.

      • Ex. If you and your judge are in a role-play situation where you have met before, you probably do not need to introduce yourself.

      • Ex. You can hand out a fake business card to your judge at the beginning of the presentation.

    • Make sure you are professional (the way you speak, act, and other mannerisms are important to show that you are at a business formal setting).

  • If you have any concerns on the day of the competition, find an exec or a committee head.

  • Do not stress out too much before your event! Remember this is supposed to be fun :)

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