Embedded Files
DECA shapes students' lives in more ways than simply in the classroom, leaving a lasting effect beyond their high school careers. Hear it from some of our alumni themselves, through their testimonials:
Mahi Shinde
Mahi Shinde
Class of 2025
Attending College: UNC Chapel Hill
Major: Business Administration
How DECA has helped in college: DECA has helped me a lot with my time management skills, helped me build my network, and also gave me a passion for consulting.
Favorite DECA memory: I would have to say my last ICDC in Orlando because i got to spend so much time with my friends (especially Aashi Potdar) in Universal. It was a great social and educational experience overall!
Advice for current members: Make sure you start your event prep early and space it out so that you are ready for competition. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions!
Sahana Ramesh
Sahana Ramesh
Class of 2025
Attending College: UNC Chapel Hill
Major: Business Administration & Data Science
How DECA has helped in college: Being part of DECA gave me the confidence to speak publicly and express ideas clearly. Presenting in front of judges taught me how to organize my thoughts quickly and deliver them with impact, which has made class presentations and club interviews feel much easier.
Favorite DECA memory: My favorite DECA memory was becoming a finalist at ICDC with my best friend during junior year. All the late night practices came together in that moment, and standing on stage felt like the ultimate reward for our hard work and teamwork.
Advice for current members: Stay calm when you’re competing—don’t overthink it in front of the judges, just focus on getting your ideas across clearly.
Aaryan Patel
Aaryan Patel
Class of 2025
Attending College: UNC Chapel Hill
Major: Health Policy and Management (Intended)
How DECA has helped in college: DECA helped me a lot with my speaking and networking abilities, and I also have a better understanding of operations.
Favorite DECA memory: My favorite DECA memories would have to be placing at ICDC both in Anaheim and Orlando.
Advice for current members: When writing your papers, do not fake your research, your judges will easily be able to tell.
Tarini Agrawal
Tarini Agrawal
Class of 2019
Attending College: UNC Chapel Hill
Major: Pre-Business
How DECA has helped in college: DECA has helped me tremendously by providing me with skills that are really helpful in college. Through DECA, I gained a lot lifelong communication skills, leadership, and project management skills that I use on a day-to-day basis in classes and organizations that I'm involved with. Additionally, DECA has exposed me to the business field and allowed me to find interest in a career path in business and declare my major.
Favorite DECA memory: My favorite DECA memory is definitely when my team and I won second place at Internationals this past year. Going on the International state was a once in a lifetime experience and it was rewarding seeing our hard work over the past 4 years pay off.
Advice for current members: For DECA members, I would advise you to really make the most of you time in DECA. Get to know other members, the leadership team, and advisors because they will be your helping hand through the DECA competitions. You get what you put into it, so make sure you try your best and have fun while doing so. DECA was such a rewarding experience for me as I gained lifelong skills and friends, so I advise you to stay involved in the organization.
Alexander Ahlquist
Alexander Ahlquist
Class of 2019
Attending College: University of South Carolina
Major: International Business & Operations and Supply Chain Management
How DECA has helped in college: I used time management skills, business plans in some of my entry-level business classes, and also some past experience making business proposal presentations.
Favorite DECA Memory: My favorite DECA memory is being able to travel to Anaheim and visit Disneyland.
Advice for current members: Listen to the upperclassmen and take advice from them, especially in regards to how to write a paper. Take the time to put a significant amount of work into your paper because you will continue to write business papers, particularly if you pursue a business major.
Cole Davidson
Cole Davidson
Class of 2019
Attending College: University of South Carolina
Major: Real Estate Finance
How DECA has helped in college: DECA taught me time management and project skills that have been valuable in college. It has given me experience in giving presentations to groups and individuals. It has also helped given me practice in leading group presentations in college.
Favorite DECA Memory: My favorite DECA memory is traveling to Orlando, visiting Disney and Universal as well as watching all our hard work with Glow Madness pay off at the International level.
Advice for current members: Work hard and enjoy every second that you have, take advice from upperclassmen members. You get out exactly what you put in. Feel free to reach out to your Officer board or to alumni.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse