Winter break offers the perfect opportunity to rest, unwind and reset for the second part of the year. However, the holiday season doesn't mean you have to take a break from DECA!
Here’s a list of valuable tips to keep you engaged and overcome any winter break boredom:
1. Apply for DECA's Scholarships
DECA's scholarship deadline is quickly approaching! With $200,000 available, DECA's scholarships are offered to all Collegiate DECA members. Submit your completed application by January 10, 2025.
Tip: Get your Membership ID and Password from your chapter advisor to log in and start your application.
2. Participate in DECA's Leadership Passport Program
Take advantage of time away from school to work on your Leadership Passport Program submissions. The Leadership Passport Program rewards actions taken by members, chapters and associations that build personal and professional skill sets focused on helping members be academically prepared, community-oriented, professionally responsible and experienced leaders. Submissions are due February 15, 2025.
3. Sharpen Your Competition Skills
Whether you're preparing for a district or association-level conference, be sure to check out helpful articles on DECA Direct Online to finalize your prepared event, master your role-play or ace the exam. You can also take advantage of DECA's interactive competitive events page and online library of practice role-plays and exams.
4. Prepare for #CTEMonth
Career and Technical Education Month® begins in February and allows members to participate in the annual public awareness campaign to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. Take the time to brainstorm how your chapter will celebrate DECA and advocate for the future of career and technical education.
5. Plan Your Recruitment Campaign
Even if your chapter's membership roster is finalized for the current year, now is the perfect time to start planning next year's recruitment efforts! Take advantage of the spring to begin reaching out to underclassmen who are eligible for membership in the future.
6. Research Potential Internship and Job Opportunities
A break between semesters is the ideal time to start researching potential internship and job opportunities for 2025. Whether it's a summer internship or your first job post-grad, it's important to begin looking at what's out there. Once you have a list of opportunities, check out the articles published in our Career Insights category or tagged within the Internships subcategory.
7. Share Your Favorite 2024 Collegiate DECA Story
Reflect on the past year of Collegiate DECA events, memories and experiences. Whether your chapter began a new tradition or you traveled to your first DECA conference, we want to hear about how it impacted your 2024. Write a quick article and submit it here for a chance to be featured on our Spotlights category and @decainc social media accounts!
