Beyond The Glass! - How you can use your DECA experience to bring real world success! (with Sagarika Hatwal)
Members win glass, earn medals, and the first thing they do is add it to their résumé. But what comes next? Why stop there? Many people join DECA aiming to bring home awards they can show off on applications, yet they often overlook the bigger picture. DECA isn’t just about competition—it’s a launchpad filled with opportunities and resources to create something real, something more. Those roleplays where you make your own marketing campaign or startup aren’t hypotheticals, they’re blueprints for turning ideas into impact.
It’s crucial to understand how to take what DECA gives you and turn it into long-term advantage. For many, DECA has been the gateway not only to dream universities but also to dream projects and real entrepreneurial success. Here are three ways to transform your experience into lasting achievement:
1. Network, Network, Network!
It’s vital to grow your connections, but most importantly finding the right connections. Instead of rushing to talk to anyone and everyone, focus your energy on cultivating meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships. Through DECA, I’ve met co-founders, mentors, and friends who have all played crucial roles in my growth. The right network can accelerate your success more than any amount of solo effort. Out of all the options on this list, networking has the highest return on investment.
2. Apply Your Learnings
DECA is more than competition–it’s preparation and life lessons. The skills you sharpen here can directly translate into internship performance, startup ventures, and professional confidence. Use your DECA experience to showcase your creativity, time management, and analytical thinking. The real “win” comes when you can apply those same principles beyond the event stage, into your career and goals. Use what you know, reflect it into your passions, and watch your experience and drive combine to create something bigger than you imagined.
3. Build Your Personal Brand
Every DECA member has a story–make yours stand out. Use your experiences to shape your personal brand both online and offline. Create a LinkedIn or portfolio that highlights your projects, initiatives, and leadership. Reflect on your DECA journey in essays, interviews, or social media posts to show how you’ve evolved as a communicator, problem solver, and leader. A strong personal brand turns experience into influence, which can lead to you finding better opportunities later on. Be inspired by others and add your own authenticity to it and you will be able to go further than you have yet!
Use this advice to the best you can and good luck on your future endeavors!
