Wisconsin DECA Direct

As many of us know, DECA is a popular high school organization that help students develop professional speaking skills, prepare high school students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management, and etc. However, the skills that are learned through DECA have a long lasting impact on high school students.

Some skills that students can take with them beyond high school and even college is being able to speak in a professional settings, thinking critically, and having a positive attitude. Roleplays are a great way to prepare students for professional settings by allotting only a short period of time for students to think critically and create a pitch/professional conversation. Additionally, judges often ask DECA students questions at the end of their conversations and these questions force students to think on the fly and use their critical 21st century skills to successfully answer each judges questions. 

Often times when applying for colleges or even for a job you are asked to attend an interview.; similar to roleplays, interviews force students to think on the spot when asked questions about their past experiences while maintaining a professional tone and manner. 

Another situation where these skills are crucial is almost any professional job setting: which is most. In almost any job, there are individuals that are ‘ranked’ higher than you in position or skill. There will be time when there is a difficult situation where you need to talk and communicate with these individuals to access a situation or resolve a problem. Being able to speak in an appropriate yet professional tone, being able to think critically on the spot, and maintain a positive attitude are all skills that make this conversation smoother and easier. 

These are just a few skills that DECA teaches high school students that can be carried well beyond high school. DECA is a great way to improve any students critical thinking and professional manner. DECA helps us all #betheone