From the clothes you wear to the food you consume to your daily transportation, marketing is everywhere. Marketing professionals put products in the hands of consumers who need and want them. They keep a pulse on the latest trends and upcoming developments. Masterful in pricing, marketing-information management, promotion and selling, these savvy trendsetters have the most innovative ideas in advertising, digital marketing communications, merchandising and selling.
DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition. Examine your course of study and integrate activities from DECA’s comprehensive learning program to show that DECA is connected and relevant.
DECA's Comprehensive Learning Program provides a variety of instructional resources that would be suitable for these courses and more.
Each career cluster contains several career pathways, or specialized career areas that are comprised of careers that require similar knowledge and skills.
Instructional areas are broad areas of content knowledge that are comprised of many performance indicators. Performance indicators are specific knowledge and skills employees are expected to demonstrate or achieve.
The following are examples of career opportunities and occupations that are available within this career cluster.
DECA’s Competitive Events Program is an incredible tool for curriculum. As an integral part of the classroom curriculum, DECA’s industry-validated competitive events are aligned with National Curriculum Standards.
DECA’s flagship evaluation process involves students in both a written component such as an exam or report and an interactive component with an industry professional serving as a judge. DECA’s competitive events reinforce creativity, problem solving and presentation skills.
The potential for recognition, awards and travel for learning classroom content is a tremendous motivator – not to mention the scholarships and cash awards recognizing DECA members for outstanding achievement.
With more than 60 events, DECA offers a competitive event for every course and every student.
Case studies provide a student-centered engagement activity to help DECA members apply learning through problem-based scenarios that require creative solutions and practical outcomes. DECA’s case studies challenge DECA members to demonstrate industry-relevant knowledge and skills through performance indicators. DECA’s case studies are developed through industry research to reflect current issues and trends in business and industry.
DECA’s exams are rigorous, industry-validated, multiple-choice, 100-item exams based on National Curriculum Standards. Each exam item is also linked to an instructional area and specific performance indicator.
You are to assume the role of the manager of STYLE UP, an upscale apparel and accessories retailer. The owner of the store (judge) is considering giving customers the option to add gratuity at the point-of-sale and wants you to explain the benefits and possible risks.
You are to assume the role of the manager of STYLE UP, an upscale apparel and accessories retailer. The owner of the store (judge) is considering giving customers the option to add gratuity at the point-of-sale and wants you to explain the benefits and possible risks.
You are to assume the role of the manager of STYLE UP, an upscale apparel and accessories retailer. The owner of the store (judge) is considering giving customers the option to add gratuity at the point-of-sale and wants you to explain the benefits and possible risks.
You are to assume the role of the merchandise manager for SUPERIOR LOOKS, a clothing store chain for tweens and teens. The director of merchandising (judge) is considering a partnership with a popular fast fashion company and wants your opinion.
You are to assume the role of the merchandise manager for SUPERIOR LOOKS, a clothing store chain for tweens and teens. The director of merchandising (judge) is considering a partnership with a popular fast fashion company and wants your opinion.
You are to assume the role of the merchandise manager for SUPERIOR LOOKS, a clothing store chain for tweens and teens. The director of merchandising (judge) is considering a partnership with a popular fast fashion company and wants your opinion.
You are to assume the role of a general manager at AMAZING AUTO PARTS, a chain of auto parts stores with over 4,000 locations. The district manager (judge) wants you to decide if the AMAZING AUTO PARTS store you manage should convert part of its parking area into fast charging stations for electric vehicles.
You are to assume the role of a general manager at AMAZING AUTO PARTS, a chain of auto parts stores with over 4,000 locations. The district manager (judge) wants you to decide if the AMAZING AUTO PARTS store you manage should convert part of its parking area into fast charging stations for electric vehicles.
You are to assume the role of a general manager at AMAZING AUTO PARTS, a chain of auto parts stores with over 4,000 locations. The district manager (judge) wants you to decide if the AMAZING AUTO PARTS store you manage should convert part of its parking area into fast charging stations for electric vehicles.
You are to assume the role of the marketing manager at COUNTY REPAIR, an auto repair shop with several locations. The owner (judge) wants you to develop a promotional plan targeting young females that will persuade them into careers in auto mechanics, repair and maintenance.
You are to assume the role of the marketing manager at COUNTY REPAIR, an auto repair shop with several locations. The owner (judge) wants you to develop a promotional plan targeting young females that will persuade them into careers in auto mechanics, repair and maintenance.
You are to assume the role of the marketing manager at COUNTY REPAIR, an auto repair shop with several locations. The owner (judge) wants you to develop a promotional plan targeting young females that will persuade them into careers in auto mechanics, repair and maintenance.
DECA and its corporate partners have teamed up to provide classroom activities that challenge members to apply learning in relevant ways.
Write and produce your very own episode of DECA at the Bell. Creativity is encouraged; what matters most is the ability to engage the audience while connecting something in the world of business to the world of DECA. The topic/theme of the 2024 challenge is Customer Service.
Take charge of a dynamic simulated company, strategically allocating your ad budget to maximize revenue. Craft captivating content, engage target audiences and analyze your metrics across simulation rounds. Showcase your social media marketing skills in this exciting challenge.
Develop a public service announcement (PSA) video describing one of the following ethical principles: fairness, rule of law or transparency. The PSA should be designed to educate your local community and those afar through social media.
Demonstrate your digital presentation skills utilizing a Virtual Business simulation in a one- to two-minute digital presentation. The top finalists will deliver a live, digital presentation.
Develop a marketing campaign for a full estate sale that will utilize the live auction method and include both real estate and personal property. Present your marketing campaign that will use social, print, and email direct marketing strategies in a video presentation.
Create a focused Disability Is Diversity presentation that highlights the obstacles and experience of navigating an educational environment with differing abilities. Learn first-hand about the barriers encountered by a student with a disability and determine how you can advocate for needed change.
Demonstrate your creativity by producing the next big cause marketing idea for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. DECA chapters can participate by developing and executing a unique fundraising campaign with a social media component and video.
DECA conferences provide unique opportunities to connect students with corporate professionals to engage them in learning industry-related trends and content.
DECA’s college and corporate partners engage DECA members and help them prepare for colleges and careers of their choice. They provide classroom presentations, scholarships, internships, work experience and much more. Visit our partners page to learn more about developing a win-win relationship with DECA’s partners.