The Maine State DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) held its 45th State Career Development Conference in March. This state competition conference is comprised of business and marketing students. It is a co-curricular, student-centered, educational, career and technical organization that reinforces skills taught in the classroom. DECA features impromptu role-plays of challenging business case problems with volunteer business professionals serving as judges. Students also compete in proficiency and occupational testing.
DECA is for individuals who are planning careers in business, marketing and management. At the high school level, Maine DECA has over 200 members from seven high schools and career and technical centers. DECA intends to develop leadership abilities, social and business etiquette, civic responsibility, ethical behavior in personal and business relationships, and to understand the role of the free enterprise system in a global economy.
The conference had over 150 students competing from around Maine. Students chose from 40 different in-person events and four online events at the beginning of the year. The top finalist will travel to Anaheim, Calif., for the International Conference, where they will compete with 16,000 other DECA students.