DECA Direct | November-December 2015

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2015

Finding the Right College // Your College Admissions Questions Answered // Employability Skills // Which Employer is Right for You

www.decadirect.org

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DECA DIRECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAKING THE MOST OF NOVEMBER

DECA $CHOLARSHIP$ ARE WAITING FOR YOU

10 WAYS TO PUT THE “FUN” BACK IN FUNDRAISING

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EDITORIAL

Publisher Paul A. Wardinski Editor Christopher Young Managing Editor Janelle Scudder Editorial Committee Jeff Collins, Sarah Williams Advertising Cindy Allen, Nick Edwards Design Frank Peterson

5 FINISH 2015 STRONG

DECA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

COLLEGIATE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

7 JWU MEANS BUSINESS

YOUR TOP COLLEGE ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS ANSWERED

President Jaimie Thimmesh Rachie Vice President Savannah Bice Vice President Alura Carbrey Vice President Matt Weingard

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Jacklyn Schiller President-Elect Kevin Reisenauer Secretary Pam O’Brien Treasurer Oleg Shvets Members Marsha Bock, Shanna LaMar, Mary Peres, Ryan Witzig NAB Chair Ken DiSaia Ex-Officio Members Tammie Brewer, Wayne Kutzer, Paul A. Wardinski

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE DECA Direct Magazine 1908 Association Drive Reston, Virginia 20191-1594 communications@deca.org

DECA Direct (ISSN 1080-0476) is published four times each year—September/ October, November/December, January/ February and March/April. Copyright ©2015 by the Distributive Education Clubs of America, Inc., 1908 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-1594. All rights reserved. Annual non-member subscription rate is $5.00. Periodicals postage paid at Herndon, Virginia and additional mailing offices. $1.00 of membership fee goes toward subscription to DECA Direct, a publication of DECA, (USPS 566-200), Volume 4, Number 2.

Postmaster—Send form 3579 for change of address to: DECA Direct, 1908 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-1594.

HOW DECA CAN IMPACT YOUR EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

14 MAKING CONNECTIONS THAT MATTER

22 ENHANCE YOUR CAREER READINESS THROUGH THE DECA IDEA CHALLENGE 2015

24 CHAPTER BUZZ

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2015

President Alec Romero North Atlantic Region Vice President Tara Nath Central Region Vice President Ashton FIlburn Southern Region Vice President Tyler McBee Western Region Vice President Marizza “Mitch” Mitchell

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MAKING THE MOST OF NOVEMBER HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT

@alecdeca

NOVEMBER

1-30 12 13 15 16-22 19 20-22

DECA Month

DECA Idea Challenge 2015 begins Virtual Business Challenge Round 1 ends Initial online membership dues deadline Global Entrepreneurship Week

DECA Idea Challenge 2015 entries due

Central Region Leadership Conference Kansas City, MO Innovations and Entrepreneurship Conference, Austin, TX The Ultimate DECA Power Trip, Austin, TX

DECEMBER

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Community Service Campaign, Global Entrepreneurship Week Campaign, Membership Campaign and Promotional Campain Due.

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November may be the best month ever to be a DECA member! First, November is #DECAMonth, a time to celebrate DECA and all the incredible things DECA has done for you. Be sure to participate in the daily photo challenge happening all month long.

November also means thousands of DECA members from across the organization will be gathering in Austin, Texas, for this year’s Ultimate DECA Power Trip, and in Kansas City, Mo., for the Central Region Leadership Conference. Both conferences will be packed with exciting eduTOURS, speakers and workshops that will entertain and educate.

Whether you’re attending the conferences or following the action back home, follow #DECAPowerTrip and #DECACRLC to stay up-todate on all the excitement!

Did you know Global Entrepreneurship Week is happening November 16-22, 2015? During this week, you will have the opportunity to explore your own innovation through the DECA Idea Challenge 2015.

Turn to page 26 to learn more and get started.

November is also the final push to complete four of DECA’s Chapter Campaigns! Recruit those last few members, get another alumni spotlight and plan one more community service activity as you strive to complete these campaigns and earn your way to the THRIVE Academy at the 2016 International Career Development Conference.

This year’s #DECAMonth provides all members with the opportunity to go out and make an impact on not only themselves, but on their chapters and communities! Make sure to keep an eye out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and decadirect.org for more information on the programs taking place this month so your November can #beDECAepic!

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2015

ALEC ROMERO

New York Experience I New York City, NY New York Experience II New York City, NY 5

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FINISH 2015 STRONG COLLEGIATE DECA EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT

@jaimie_tr

NOVEMBER

1-30 12 12-14 16 16-22 19 19-22

DECA Month

DECA Idea Challenge 2015 begins Collegiate Leadership Academy, New York City, NY

Initial Collegiate DECA online membership payment due Global Entrepreneurship Week

DECA Idea Challenge 2015 entries due ACTE CareerTech VISION New Orleans, LA

As the end of 2015 draws near, now is a great time to reflect on what the last 12 months brought. What EPIC accomplishments did you achieve? What incredible experiences did you embark on? Luckily, you still have a few months to finish 2015 strong—and there are a lot of things you can work toward.

First, help your chapter gain more members by completing the BE EPIC Jumpstart Campaign. Submit 25 or more members by December 1, 2015, and earn incredible recognition! You can also strive to complete the Membership Campaign by February 12, 2016. What better way to end an EPIC year than with a stronger, larger chapter?

What if you could finish the year knowing you were an international finalist in the DECA Idea Challenge 2015? Participate in this innovative challenge during Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 16-22, 2015, and put your creative thinking to the test as you battle it out against teams from across the world. You could walk away with $1,000 as part of the winning team! Turn to page 26 to get all the information you need to get started today.

And of course, we can’t finish 2015 without celebrating #DECAMonth in November! Why not throw a celebration on campus to promote Collegiate DECA, participate in the daily photo challenges from @DECAInc, or use this month as a time to give back to your community?

No matter how you choose to end 2015, you have plenty of options to finish strong and start an EPIC 2016.

DECEMBER

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BE EPIC Membership Campaign Goal— 25 or more submitted Deadline for Honorary Life Membership Award and Outstanding Service Award Application Packet

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2015

JAIMIE THIMMESH RACHIE

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NOW TRENDING: #beDECAepic

[1] HOUGH DECA

@houghdeca Hough officers leaving Durham! #ncdecaslc was a great experience and we’re bringing back awesome plans for Hough DECA! We can’t wait to continue our #ncdecastory. #beDECAepic

[2] FLORIDA COLLEGIATE DECA

@flcdeca Professor Jack Rose, Executive Director of Florida Collegiate DECA, attended Jupiter High School DECA to speak to students about life after high school! #beDECAepic #collegiatedeca

[3] SOUTH GWINNETT DECA

@southgwinnett.deca Our awesome DECA team! #blooddonation #redcross #beDECAepic

[4] LAUREN BAYER

@laurenjean7012 So happy I got to see these two lovely ladies at Emma’s 5K for MDA! #TeamSnug #beDECAepic

[5] BELLAFONTAINE DECA

@bellafontainedeca Today was an incredible day to #beDECAepic with our awesome new friends at Green Hills.

[6] WEST VIRGINIA DECA

@_wvdeca Having fun at #WVDECAFLC! #beDECAepic

[7] CORINTH HOLDERS DECA

@chhsdeca Today’s officer meeting! Big things are being planned for this school year! #beDECAepic

[8] JUSTON GLASS

@justonglass Harker club fair represent! Best chapter officer group ever right here! #beDECAepic @harkerdeca

Share your photos all year long for a chance to be featured in the next issue!

[9] NEVADA DECA

@nvdeca A huge round of applause to Shadow Ridge DECA for completing the social media challenge with their impressive first meeting photo! #beDECAepic #nvdeca

[10] LAUREN MANN @lauren_mann33 When at a business luncheon during school…#texasdeca #beDECAepic

GET MORE DECA DIRECT ONLINE

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AT&T Mentors Gear Up for Another EPIC Year with DECA

2015-2016 DECA District Scenarios Instructional Areas Announced

http://bit.ly/ attmentors

http://bit.ly/ decadistrictscenarios

Top 10 DECA Chapter Social Media Tips http://bit.ly/ decasocialmedia

decadirect.org

DECA Inc. Now Accepting 20152016 Scholarships Applications

How to Get Your School Involved in the DECA Idea Challenge 2015

http://bit.ly/ decascholarships16

http://bit.ly/ decaideachallenge

Spread Cheer with DECA Holiday Gear AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

*MUG IS AN ORNAMENT

W W W. S H O P D E C A . O R G

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DECA

$CHOLARSHIP$ ARE WAITING FOR YOU! “Scholarships” is probably one of the biggest buzzwords right now for many high school DECA junior and senior members.

Everyone knows that applying for scholarships is important, but maybe “important” isn’t the right word to describe them.

No matter your financial situation, scholarships have become a necessary step in everybody’s transition to college. Scholarships include free money you can use to finance your college degree.

Sure, you have to apply for them, which takes time and effort, but consider this: if you spend two hours working on an application for a $2,000 scholarship and win it, your investment translates to $1,000 an hour. That’s a pretty good hourly wage for a 16 or 17 year old!

COLLEGE COSTS ARE SKYROCKETING This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but college costs more now than ever before. By investing a good amount of time applying for scholarships, you can avoid being handed a huge bill alongside your diploma.

ASHTON FILBURN CENTRAL REGION VICE PRESIDENT

@decavpashton

STUDENT LOAN RATES JUST DOUBLED Over the past several months, Congress was engaged in a battle over whether or not to keep student loan rates from doubling. They ultimately couldn’t come to a decision, and their inaction resulted in student loan rates jumping to nearly seven percent. The investment of time and effort needed to successfully apply for scholarships far outweighs the time and effort it will take to repay thousands of dollars in student loans.

DECA HAS AN EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM FOR ITS MEMBERS Not only is the time right to apply for scholarships, but DECA’s scholarship program has made the process of searching for scholarships easier, more efficient and tailored to each member.

When applying for DECA scholarships, you can search and find scholarships that match you career aspirations and leadership accomplishments.

DECA scholarship applications are due January 15, 2016, so get started today at www.deca.org/scholarships.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2015

If that isn’t enough to convince you, here are three reasons you need to apply for DECA scholarships right now:

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10 WAYS TO PUT THE “FUN” BACK IN FUNDRAISING

Photo credit: UNLV Collegiate DECA

Over the years, chapter fundraisers can become flat and unexciting simply because the same ones have been done so many times. To make this year as EPIC as possible, why not try out these new ideas and tips to make fundraising a FUN activity again?

10 FUNDRAISING IDEAS:

2) TALENT SHOW Host a talent show with a small ticket fee for attendees.

3) RENT-A-WORKER Recruit students to volunteer to perform various tasks such as lawn work, babysitting, or miscellaneous jobs for a day.

4) BALLOON POP Purchase balloons and sell tickets to students to pop a balloon and place various prizes in the balloons.

5) ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE Have students bring in gently used items and have a yard sale.

6) GIFT WRAPPING Coordinate with a local store to set up a gift-wrapping table for a fee.

7) FASHION SHOW Provide materials and have students compete to make the best outfit.

Charge an entry fee for competitors.

8) CASINO NIGHT Grab some cards and chips and have some food donated. Create a casino atmosphere for the evening and charge admission.

FUNDRAISING TIPS:

ALURA CARBREY COLLEGIATE DECA VICE PRESIDENT

@decavpalura

9) PAINT NIGHT Partner with a local paint night company and have part of the proceeds go to your cause.

10) RESTAURANT NIGHT Pair up with a local restaurant and host an evening where proceeds are donated to your cause. It’s a great way for a fun night out with friends while raising money.

Check out DECA’s Approved Vendor list for fundraising companies.

■ http:/bit.ly/decavendors

1. Use fun incentives, such as a fun prize or gift, to encourage participants to reach a certain fundraising goal.

2. Take fun pictures and share them on your chapter’s social media pages.

3. Give out freebies to attract passer-byers and increase interest.

4. Fundraising that involves food is always a good idea!

5. Have a fun and diverse committee who can generate excitement in your chapter.

6. Think outside the box—don’t be afraid to try something new!

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2015

1) COOK OFF Solicit students to enter their best dishes and have people pay to sample the entries and vote for the winners.

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MEANS

BUSINESS 14

JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY

LAUNCHES ITS FIRST BRAND CAMPAIGN

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2015

By Philip Eil When it comes to choosing the right college, many students have a list of criteria they look for. Whether it’s the campus atmosphere, the amenities provided to students, or the degrees and classes offered, a university or college has to check off the right amount of boxes before a prospective student will decide to call that place “home” for the next four years.

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However, before those eager collegebound students begin their rigorous search for the perfect post-secondary education location, they have to first know about the options available. How do students decide which universities or colleges to research, apply to, or even take tours of? That task is left up to the university or college, and its dynamic marketing strategies.

In the case of Johnson & Wales University, an intense marketing push that began in early 2015 developed out of the university’s 2012 strategic plan, 2017: The Centennial Plan, which calls for, among other things, to “strengthen [the school’s] reputation through the creation and implementation of a comprehensive marketing communications strategy.”

A rigorous, 18-month process followed.

This included gathering data about how JWU is perceived outside the university as well as amplifying and expanding that data through conversations with students, faculty, administrators and alumni. The university hired one firm to conduct research and help craft a tagline and then procured a second firm to turn that tagline into a multimedia campaign.

The goal of all this activity was threefold, according to Vice President of Communications Doug Whiting: to raise general awareness of Johnson & Wales, to enhance the school’s reputation, and to change existing perceptions. If the school can move the needle in all of these categories, he says, an increase in number and quality of applications will naturally follow.

In April 2015, residents within 50 miles of Johnson & Wales’ four campuses started seeing new billboards. One showed a photo of a JWU men’s lacrosse player fending off an opponent on the playing field, alongside a bold-type message, “EXPERIENCE MORE NOW. BE A LEADER TOMORROW. JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY.” Another showed students in a science lab, peering into microscopes and holding up glass beakers, next to the words, “WHY WAIT? EXPERIENCE YOUR FUTURE NOW. JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY.” 16

Around the same time the billboards went up, a series of Internet and radio ads also debuted in the Denver, Charlotte, North Miami and Providence markets.

“At Johnson & Wales University, we help you experience more now so you can achieve more later,” said one 15-second radio spot. “From advertising to biology, from psychology to culinary arts, experience your future now at now.jwu.edu.” Other ads revolved around the same tagline: “Experience your future now.”

The multimedia ads – which will run in spring and fall cycles, over the next three years, along with a TV campaign that launched in August – mark a big moment for the school.

“For the first time in its history, Johnson & Wales has made a decision to do comprehensive strategic marketing,” Whiting explains.

In making that decision, JWU joins a growing list of schools that are advertising in ways that were once more closely associated with corporations. Rice University, in Texas, has claimed the tagline, “Unconventional Wisdom.” Rhode Island College has built a brand around the initials, “R.I.C”: “Reach.

Inspire. Connect.” New Mexico State University tells the world it is, “All about discovery!” According to a 2010 Washington Post article, “‘Branding’ has become a popular buzzword in higher education.”

So, why “Experience your future now”?

On one level, the campaign is a way for the school to remind the world just how long JWU has offered experience-based learning opportunities. “These days, as everyone emulates this model, it’s become clear that Johnson & Wales has been a pioneer,” says Executive Director of University Marketing Greg DiStefano. “We want to re-claim that.”

The tagline’s emphasis on “now” also

points to the fact that JWU students can begin internships, career counseling, and classes in their field of study from the moment they step on campus.

Furthermore, JWU also wants to remind people that it isn’t just a world-renowned culinary arts school.

One TV ad shows a student preparing an exquisite frozen dessert, but it also highlights a range of other campus activities and opportunities involving finance, fashion, athletics, and more.

“There are a lot of people, even in [Providence], who still say, ‘Oh yeah, that’s that cooking school,’ ” Whiting says. “I never want to hear it again.”

In a recent interview with a TV-news station in Providence, JWU Chancellor John Bowen said that the school is in a remarkable period of transformation.

“We’re on the move,” he said. Harry Chapin, the CEO of Forge Worldwide, says it’s particularly exciting to work with a client like that. Johnson & Wales is “on the rise” he says, and “for us, those are the best clients.

“Because the reality is above where the perception is,” he says, “and our job is just to bring them in line.”

As the end of the year approaches and more students begin feverishly applying to college, requesting transcripts and arguing with their parents about which school is best for him or her, it’s important to remember the individuals on the other side of the coin.

Universities and colleges around the country are polishing up their own résumés with the hope that students, especially DECA members, will consider them as a place to grow as professionals and experience everything their futures have to hold.

Why is it important to conduct research and gather data before creating taglines and visuals when developing a marketing campaign?

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2015

HEATHER FORTENBERRY

Associate Director of Admissions, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration (SHA)

Perhaps the scariest part of the college admissions process is the actual application. How do you put the last four years of high school into a single application and make sure it accurately reflects all of your achievements, goals and abilities? How do you ensure your essay is so incredible that an admissions officer remembers it after reading 1,000 more?

How do you give yourself the best chance of being accepted when the competition is so fierce?

As the associate director of admissions at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration (SHA), I have seen and read many college applications. SHA is an AACSB-accredited businessmanagement program with a focus on hospitality and service industries. Since SHA is one of the more specialized programs at Cornell, I usually encourage applicants to ask themselves questions to determine fit—questions like, What will my first year look like?

What will my four years look like? What career choices will I have after graduation, or what if I want to go to graduate school? What support is available to me through advisors, alumni, and classmates?

Cornell University has seven undergraduate schools and colleges with over 80 different majors. Evaluating such a broad range of applications makes Cornell a great subjectmatter expert to talk to high school students about ‘fit’ in the admissions process.

If you take the time to establish with solid examples why you are a good fit with a particular college and major, you have taken the first step to creating a more competitive application. Through DECA, you have been encouraged to explore real-world experiences, which gives you a better understanding of your career potential and helps you realize what direction you may want to take your academic path.

DECA asked its members to share, via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, their biggest college applications questions for Cornell, and here I have answered your questions and shared some tips regarding how to put forward a competitive college application.

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LEN JAMIE HIL

Your application should be a representation of your best work.

Be sure to sufficiently review your application before submitting.

Have someone else review it and ask for feedback. Spelling and grammar mistakes, or including the name of a different school from the one to which you are applying, reflect poorly and are avoidable.

Be authentic. Many universities read holistically, meaning that in addition to academic ability, they are looking for clues that suggest the contributions your enrollment will make to the university’s community and culture. Effective essays should reveal a bit of your personality and identity.

DECA prepares em leaders. What are erging ways an applicant the best that preparation to can put u admittance? se for @Brandon LAllen

Cornell fosters opportunities for its students to cultivate leadership skills. SHA looks for leadership potential in its applicants, knowing our students will eventually be leaders in the business world. DECA provides rich opportunities to lead.

Your DECA experiences develop focus, professionalism, and strong communication skills. Although many schools you apply to may know of DECA, don’t assume everyone understands the impact DECA may have made in fostering leadership. Highlight your experiences in essays, interviews, and letters of recommendation.

What is the most important part of the college application? @ddjustme

Each part of the application has a purpose and is important. For those just starting to explore the Common Application, Universal College Application, or similar application format, you will see that it will take time to complete. Make sure you are submitting an application that is the representation of your best work. Take the time to put your best effort into everything from your essay to selecting the people that will write your letters of recommendation. Thoughtfully plan the completion of each element of the application; this is what you have control over—the rest is up to the admissions committee.

ce for What’s the order of importan: es , the following when applyitinges ansad ys extracurricular activi ? standardized test scores @therohanghiya

You may receive very different answers depending on what school you are asking.

Generally speaking, my recommendation is to do your research and make certain that you understand what your target schools are looking for in their applicants, and make sure these qualities are highlighted in your application.

How are DECA members seen by admissions officers? @ardinrow

For SHA, we know that students who participate in DECA— whether or not they hold leadership positions—have taken steps to learn about business, entrepreneurship, and potentially hospitality in a careerfocused environment. DECA students have pre-professional experiences.

DECA applicants often have competed at some level and, regardless of the outcome, learn from that experience.

They are challenged and must think on their feet in a competitive setting. DECA members have worked in groups and can be collaborative. DECA students have several of the qualities we look for in applicants that suggest they will perform very well in the SHA program.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2015

What is the most common mistake or thing missing on most applications?

The essay can be a great vehicle to give context and tie things together. For example, only listing DECA as an extracurricular activity is very different from describing the commitment and time you took to prepare for a DECA competition. For a school that does not know the DECA organization, this information can reveal additional attributes such as your time-management abilities and your professionalism. If you have an opportunity in the application to expand on an extracurricular or event that highlights skills that are important to the college/university to which you are applying, make sure that you do so.

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How can applicants set their essays apart from thousands of others?

@agneshina

Setting yourself apart from thousands of other applicants can seem an impossible task. So, let’s concentrate on some of the more realistic goals that can help you submit an application that provides a better understanding of who you are. My advice? Be your authentic self, research the school/major/etc., answer the question, and think about how you can articulate why you are a good fit with this school.

To that end, ask yourself these questions before starting your essays: Why are you applying to this school? What do you like about the major, the program, the support resources, the clubs/organizations, etc.? Think about these things and work them into your application. For example, SHA is a specialized business-management program. When students apply to SHA, they know they can go into real estate, finance, law, food and beverage, or operations, but we want to make sure that they are service-minded and understand that hospitality is everywhere. We want to know what the business of hospitality means to them.

Your essays should reveal something of your identity, about who you are, instead of trying to make yourself something that you think the admissions counselors want to see. Good essays are self-reflective and authentic. You will likely have your advisor, a parent, you best friend, and others read your essays. Proofreading is a good thing and is recommended, but don’t allow your authentic self to be scrubbed clean of the essay you submit.

What types of extracurricular activities are the most important? @aashijhawar

You will likely hear a range of answers depending on the program, major, college, and university you are applying to. In general, the most important activities are the ones that you are most passionate and enthusiastic about.

Among our successful applicants this often includes activities that have exposed you to leadership or entrepreneurship, or those with a strong service component.

We are not counting how many clubs, organizations, or teams you have joined, but we will look to see how engaged you are in your chosen activities, however many or few. We like to see that you can balance academics with outside interests and have learned how to prioritize.

So, it really isn’t about how many clubs you have joined; it’s about how you have decided to make certain organizations and activities an important part of your life. What is the sense of commitment and contribution? What is the level of initiative, engagement, responsibility? Do you intend to continue this interest at college, and does it suggest what level of engagement you might have as a student at our university? These are the things we consider in reading your activities and interests.

Want more tips from Cornell? Go to http://bit.ly/decacornell to read more questions and answers from Heather.

What was one surprising fact you discovered about the college admissions process or what admissions officers are looking for in potential students?

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How could you use the information in this article to help potential DECA members realize the value of having DECA on their college applications and resumes?

What’s something every college student should know about attending college?

@alexa_harris Do your research before you apply. If you select a school that is a good fit with your interests, your career goals, and your expectations, you have already taken the first step towards a successful academic career. SHA applicants have taken the time to discover our program and understand that our career-focused curriculum, set within a liberal arts context, will provide the ideal environment to explore and refine their interests in business management.

Other things college students should know about attending college? Learn to ask for help. This is a good general rule, but many students go through high school without ever needing to ask for help. There is a high probability that in college you will need help in some form—from learning how to use a commercial washing machine, to adjusting your study skills, to solving a difficult problem set, to better managing your time.

It can be difficult to ask for help, especially if you have never needed to before, but you should know that asking for help will take you far, and it cultivates a network of people who contribute to your success.

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2015

HOW DECA CAN IMPACT YOUR EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AMANDA SKAWSKI | Vector Marketing

In my eight years post college, I have never once used trigonometry, philosophy, or chemistry, among other required college courses, in the workplace.

However, there were lessons learned in college and even high school as a whole that make those experiences invaluable despite the lack of applying some of the coursework.

You may or may not end up in a career using much of your coursework, so how does your education show employers you will be exceptional employees? What should you make sure you pick up in those school experiences to translate into being ready for the world or work? There are a few things I believe you should hone in on while in school that will set you up for success.

1. WORK ETHIC When I was in school, I was fantastic at working the system. I knew how to cut corners and still get A’s. I had gotten it down to a science how to only read what was needed for the test and put in the least amount of time necessary to keep the GPA high. I thought this was just “working smarter not harder,” especially since I knew most of what I was learning I would never use in my career.

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Well once in the world of work I was quick to realize those tendencies to use shortcuts followed me and aren’t easy to break. There aren’t really shortcuts at work that don’t end up affecting the quality of my work and I had to retrain myself out of the habits. You will take the work ethic you learn in school into your first job, so ask yourself, “Am I holding myself to a standard of good work ethic?”

2. TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION In your first job, you will be expected to know how to manage your time and be organized with what you are working on. I saw many of my friends really struggle with this out of college.

They thought they knew how to manage their time but in truth they never had done so.

In school, you are told when to show up to class and when to leave, your projects usually have multiple deadlines to turn in parts before the final project is due, and the teachers give you multiple reminders so they hold your hand through it. At typical student jobs, like retail and restaurants, they tell you when to show up and leave, what you are assigned to work on for every minute of your shift and how to do it. None of these create the ability to effectively manage your time or be organized on a large project.

I worked my way through college with Vector and it gave me the ability to learn to manage my time and be organized with what I was working toward. It was invaluable the skills it built to set up my own schedule every week, decide how to go about accomplishing something, and have accountability to what I was working toward. In your high school and college time, I would challenge you to find work and extra-curricular activities that build these skills.

3. COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP You will work with others in some capacity throughout your entire career. In school, we are often thrown together with others on projects, in clubs, and sports so this is the perfect opportunity to learn both collaboration and leadership, and more importantly how do you balance the two? I think people often naturally fall into one category or the other, a “team player” or a “leader” and have to work harder to hone skills on the other. Well in the workplace you are going to need to know how to do both at different times and sometimes simultaneously, so really work on these skills while you have lots of opportunities.

I believe, more important than all of these things is the ability to learn and your attitude about it. In this fast paced world, things are constantly changing. Such as new technologies, new media sites, even whole new jobs that didn’t exist ten years ago, and that’s all before you get into learning for promotions, to switch companies, etc. Throughout your career, you will need to be able to constantly adapt and learn new things. I believe if you take seriously learning to love learning in school you will be better able to keep up with the amount of change that will go on in your career.

So I would challenge you to head into your next semester with the goal to LEARN as much as you can and really hone in on how do you learn and how good can you get at picking up anything and everything taught to you regardless of how interested in it you are or how useful you think it might be someday.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2015

If you are strong in leadership naturally, maybe on the next group project purposely let someone else lead and learn how to add value and build up your team’s results from a position of team member. Or if you are leader in something, how good can you get at bringing out the best in your people in a way that makes them feel positive? Practice being the type of leader that encourages participation and collaboration from all. If you are more of the “team player” type, someone who loves to work in a group and help with anything asked but doesn’t usually take the lead, I would encourage you to do so. Take the lead on the next project; go out for captain of your sports team or leadership in your DECA chapter. It’s important to employers that you have some kind of leadership on your resume; we want to know that you have practiced that skill.

What are five skills you’ve learned so far in DECA that will help you when it comes time to finding a job?

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It’s the age-old question: What do you want to be when you grow up?

For many students, the answer is easy. Doctor, lawyer, teacher – but what if your career goals aren’t so clear? Many students attend college and receive degrees in business, technology, or communications - all wonderful professions. With such a vast amount of career options, selecting the best fit in a company or organization after graduation can seem like an impossible task.

Increasingly, prospective employees are looking deeper into the values of potential organizations that may employ them. No longer are just the hours, dress code and salary the most important factors influencing employment decisions.

Additionally, employees want to know their company is also focusing on the community and world they are a part of, and making an effort to give back accordingly.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the term used to describe a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model. While many can think of this as being an environmentally conscious decision, the umbrella term can cover a number of ways a corporation can use its power and resources to improve the community or world around it.

DECA members and advisors from W.T. White HS in Dallas, TX, and John Fistolera, Assistant Executive Director for Corporate and External Affairs, DECA Inc., join Cynthia Marshall, Senior Vice President—Human Resources, AT&T, in announcing the AT&T/DECA collaboration at the Texas DECA State Career Development Conference.

AT&T saw an immense opportunity to give back to its communities by focusing on the notion of connectivity. Fast, secure and mobile – connectivity is the engine powering our economy. Increasingly, it is also helping create a better, more sustainable world. From connected cars and homes, smarter and more resilient energy grids, to connecting students to caring adult mentors, AT&T is at the heart of it all.

Every day, AT&T is using the power of its network to build a better tomorrow. Whether it’s the company’s employee or technology network, they support communities and create opportunities. Their goal is to create a smarter, more connected future, because life is better when everyone and everything works together.

MAKING CONNECTIONS THAT MATTER For more than 140 years, AT&T has made a positive impact on communities because of the passion and dedication of its more than 280,000 employees, and through the Aspire Mentoring Academy, employees are changing the lives of students every day.

Kristian Cosme, Manager, Credit and Collections, AT&T, and Ambassador, Aspire Mentoring Academy, congratulates the international winners of the Principles of Business Management and Administration event at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC). The event is sponsored by AT&T.

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The program is a key part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s $350 million commitment to help students succeed in school and beyond. They’ve made it their goal to provide 1 million hours of mentoring by the end of 2016 so that more students can reap the benefits of having a mentor.

We all make connections every day – whether it’s through our mobile devices or with people that matter to us the most.

AT&T is leading the charge to use the power of connectivity to change the world.

Finding a company or organization to work for can be a tricky process. While it is important to find the right fit for you personally in terms of compensation and benefits, there is a deeper, more rewarding benefit to knowing that you are working for a company that believes in CSR. Working a regular, daily schedule can be meaningful, however, improving communities, helping students achieve remarkable scholastic success and being a mentor can contribute to making a difference and provide rewards far greater than a paycheck.

What are two ways that AT&T’s Aspire Mentoring Program not only benefits its employees, but also DECA members and students?

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AT&T’s Aspire Mentoring Academy is teaming up with DECA to help members connect what they are learning in school with their future. This school year, DECA members in 12 states will visit AT&T worksites and work directly with employees who will help them become ready for college and careers. Additionally, the employees will mentor students in the classroom and assist them in preparation for DECA competition.

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Enhance Your Career Readiness Through the DECA Idea Challenge 2015!

MICHELLE WALKER, PHD, Director of Education, DECA Inc. | ADRIENNE GRANT, Education Program Specialist, DECA Inc.

The DECA Idea Challenge 2015 is an energizing and interactive activity that challenges student teams around the globe to find an innovative new use for a commonplace item. When the item is revealed at www.gew.co/challenge on November 12, 2015, students in teams of three to five members have eight days to generate a new use for the product and pitch their innovative idea in a creative video presentation.

How does participation in the challenge support college and career readiness?

The DECA Idea Challenge 2015 is a fun, fast-paced, collaborative activity that utilizes technology while focusing on idea generation – an element of entrepreneurship. By collaborating as a team and assuming various leadership roles to complete the project, participants are exercising social and emotional skills as well as teamwork. The brainstorming and engineering efforts undertaken to produce a new use for the challenge item fosters higher-order thinking skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking and reasoning and synthesis. Communication, information technology and social media skills are developed as participants effectively showcase the new product via an organized and coherent YouTube video presentation. Mastery of these skills is essential to succeed in work and life in the 21st century!

The DECA Idea Challenge is open to students around the world, and participation fosters a sense of global awareness, encouraging students to understand and address global issues and work collaboratively with individuals representing diverse cultures.

The competition also encourages environmental literacy, as students are required to create an idea that is practical, implementable and considers long-term resource requirements. Financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy is also nurtured in the competition, equipping students to make appropriate personal economic choices and use entrepreneurial skills to enhance career options.

Want to participate in this interesting competition? The DECA Idea Challenge 2015 is open to students (elementary, middle, high school, and collegiate) around the globe and DECA membership is not a requirement to participate. For detailed information about the DECA Idea Challenge, as well as tips and entrepreneurial activities to help prepare for the competition, access the DECA Idea Challenge 2015 Toolkit at www.gew.co/challenge.

The DECA Idea Challenge is proudly a premier event of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW). GEW is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators. During one week each November, GEW inspires individuals around the world to explore their potential as self-starters and innovators through local, national and global activities. Powered by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, GEW is empowering millions in over 140 countries to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey.

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2015 will be held November 16-22. For detailed information, visit www.gew.co and follow @unleashingideas on Twitter.

What are three ways participating in the DECA Idea Challenge 2015 can enhance your employability skills?

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CHAPTER BUZZ ◀ APPLETON EAST DECA | Wisconsin Appleton East DECA’s officer team presented to all the marketing and business classes during the beginning of the school year and encouraged all students to join DECA!

▲ PINE CREEK DECA | Colorado Chapter officers showed off their EPIC pride in their matching DECA rain jackets!

◀ NORTHRIDGE DECA Utah Chapter members showed off their DECA super powers at the Utah DECA Fall Leadership Conference with DECA capes.

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▼ LAKEVIEW CENTENNIAL DECA | Texas The 2015-2016 officer team worked hard to plan this year’s first chapter meeting and the incredible slate of events for the rest of year.

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CHAPTER BUZZ ◀ WAUSAU WEST DECA | Wisconsin Chapter officers increased awareness of the first meeting with “Shake an Officer’s Hand for 100 Grand!” Officers carried around 100 Grand Bars with the date and time of the first meeting on the back. This promotion created great buzz and was a great success!

▲ EAST PAULDING DECA | Georgia Chapter members had their first EPIC field trip of the year and headed to Georgia Tech in Atlanta for the 2015 Georgia Tech DECA Day.

◀ SUN PRAIRIE DECA Wisconsin The executive team posed for a photo during a dinner break after a long day of planning for a #DECAEPIC school year.

▲ KING GEORGE DECA Virginia Chapter members attended the Virginia State Fair as its first off-campus chapter activity of the EPIC school year.

▲ NORTON DECA | Massachusetts Norton DECA kicked off an EPIC year at its school by promoting DECA on the school’s front entrance sign, so all students were reminded about the opportunities DECA offers and encouraged to join.

▶ KLAMATH UNION DECA Oregon Chapter members worked hard to raise money for their chapter at the local county fair concession stand.

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STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (1) Publication Title: DECA Direct. (2) Publication Number: 0566-200.

(3) Filing Date: 9/30/2015. (4) Issue Frequency: 4 times/year: Sept./ Oct., Nov./Dec., Jan./Feb., Mar./Apr. (5) Number of Issues Published Annually: 4. (6) Annual Subscription Price: $5.00. (7) Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication (Not printer): DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. Contact Person: Paul Wardinski. Telephone: 703-860-5000. (8) Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. (9) Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: Paul Wardinski, DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. Editor: Christopher Young, DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. Managing Editor: Janelle Scudder, DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. (10) Owner: Full Name, Complete Mailing Address: DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. (11) Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. (12) Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates): The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months. (13) Publication Title: DECA Direct. (14) Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 14, 2015. (15) Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months/No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: (a) Total Number of Copies (Net press run): 120,108/90,000. (b) Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (1) Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541. (Include advertiser’s proof and exchange copies): 111,354/81,859. (2) Paid In-County Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541 (Include advertiser’s proof and exchange copies) 0/0. (3) Paid distribution outside the mails: 0/0. (4) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 7,101/15,467. (c) Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation [Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)]: 118,455/87,326. (d) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Outside-County included on PS Form 3541: 0/0. (2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541: 0/0. (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 0/0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): 0/0. (e) Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3), and (4)): 0/0. (f) Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): 118,455/87,326. (g) Copies not Distributed: 1,654/2,674. (h) Total (Sum of 15f and g): 120,108/83,000. (i) Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f times 100): 100%/100% (16) Electronic Copy Circulation: (a) Paid Electronic Copies: 0/0. (b) Total Paid Print Copies + Paid Electronic Copies: 118,455/87,326. (c) Total Print Distribution + Paid Electronic Copies: 118,455/87,326. (d) Percent Paid (Both Print & Electronic Copies): 100/100. I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are paid above a nominal price. (17) Publication of Statement of Ownership: Publication required. Will be printed in the November/ December 2015 issue of this publication. (18) Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Paul Wardinski, Publisher. Date: 9/30/2015.

◀ GRAYSON COUNTY DECA | Kentucky Grayson County DECA used to use a “Greek” theme to show off its “epicness” during the community’s annual Labor Day parade. Advisors and action team members wore togas and other members wore DECA attire and carried their DECA banner as they paraded through town. The float won the “Best Decorated Float” award, earning the chapter a blue ribbon and $300. Grayson County DECA was proud to show their DECA spirit and promote DECA in general!

▲ HAMDEN DECA | Connecticut Hamden DECA was thrilled to install its newest officer team for the 2015-2016 school year and is excited for a productive and EPIC year ahead!

◀ MAPLE SHADE DECA New Jersey Chapter members participated in the Maple Shade Sidewalk Sale this past September. The Cats Kids Zone, run by DECA chapter officers, had games and prizes for local kiddies!

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▼ PORTLAND DECA | Tennessee Chapter members showed off their best professional attire during the chapter’s first DECA Dress for Success Day.

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CHAPTER BUZZ ◀ TIMBERLAND DECA Missouri Chapter officers held an EPIC bonding experience at Go Ape, an extreme zip line and treetop course, in order to get ready for the upcoming school year. ▼ JACKSON COUNTY DECA | Georgia Chapter officers Bailey Fenstermacher, Shayla Kalac and Mecca Reed, showed some DECA pride at the first ever Georgia Tech DECA Day.

◀ COPPERAS COVE DECA | Texas These officers are ready to conquer an EPIC year!

▲ KLEIN OAK DECA | Connecticut Chapter members shared some serious DECA spirit during DECA Day with the Houston Rockets.

▲ GEORGE BUSH DECA | Texas These competitors are ready for the DECA competition season to start! Watch out, because these DECA members are hungry and won’t stop until they capture their prize!

▶ CACTUS SHADOWS DECA AND PINNACLE DECA Arizona Members from both chapters posed together at the 2015 DECAlympics. Both chapters are planning to partner together for a community service project this year!

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