FBLA vs. DECA

     While in high school, many students become involved in various high school activities and clubs. Among these clubs are two business clubs students can participate in. For those looking for a marketing and/or business future, becoming involved in either FBLA or DECA can change students' viewpoints and goals for each semester in the classes. Although both have about the same background, the competitive events and lessons learned vary in some ways.
     At Station Camp High School, both DECA and FBLA are classes offered. The difference between these two classes and the other business and marketing type classes offered is that both courses offer the chance to compete at a region, state and national level.
     FBLA stands for Future Business Leaders of America. It is the largest career student organization in the World. Their mission statement is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. The Station Camp High School business and FBLA teacher, Molly Yarbrough says that FBLA is ¨An opportunity to network with other students, compete in region, state, and national competitions, earn scholarships and increase knowledge on leadership skills.¨ Coach Yarbrough also said that FBLA offers over 70 competitive events, including objective test, production test, role plays, interview events, speech events, presentation events, and pre-judged events." With all of these competitions offered, many students are able to excel and improve in the event that suits them the best overall.
     DECA stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America. There are currently 215,000 members in DECA. With 3,500 high school chapters and 275 collegiate chapters, DECA has become vastly accepted from ages 14-22. There is no set mission statement, but DECA is said to "Prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. When asked to explain DECA in one sentence, the Station Camp DECA chapter advisor, Nicole Daniels, said that "An organization for marketing students that teaches entrepreneurship, business, and marketing strategies." Her words and the words on the national DECA website are almost identical. This truly exemplifies how DECA can change a student's perspective on the business world, and the organization is truly worth the work. Competition has many different categories a student can become a part of. From role plays to community service projects, competition is said to be one of the most exciting parts of the DECA experience. 54 competitive events are offered in this club, and the events go into more detail each semester.
     FBLA and DECA are very similar in so many ways. Honestly, the amount of participation and popularity of each club varies from school to school. There is no way of saying what club prepares a student better for their future in business, but you could say that being a part of either one does wonders for a student's outlook on the marketing and business world. FBLA has more competitive events than DECA, but DECA's events go more in depth. With all of this in mind, both expand a student's mind in teaching them vital communication and time management skills, which is the most important aspects in the business industry.

     Reed and Lydia at the final event community service project event, Pancakes for Playgrounds. At this event $1,445 was raised for special needs playground equipment for two local elementary schools.

        The Station Camp FBLA chapter in 2011. 

 

"DECA Inc. - DECA Inc." DECA Inc. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
"GEICO." Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.

Exploring the World of Business

Topic

 While deciding what I wanted my career path to be, I was inspired by my parents. Growing up with my parents owning their own business, I was surrounded by "business lingo" and discovered the complications of communication early on in my childhood. By being surrounded by two business majors, I quickly learned that it is naturally something I have always wanted to become a part of. Throughout school, I have always had the mindset that business and marketing is something I want to become a part of due to the success of my parents. Going to business meetings, and filing paperwork at their office taught me the dirty work of the job, but also how exciting it can become. Marketing is exciting to me because I am able to talk to others, and create new relationships with businesses and people that were not existent before. 

Evidence

      During my 20% project, I am looking to explore a new aspect of the business path: teaching. My journey is partnered with the help of Coach Yarbrough's Principles of Business class. Through being a part of her class every Friday, and discovering the background work that goes on with her lesson planning and teaching skills, I will hopefully learn if business and marketing teaching is the right path for me. Although I have a background in the marketing world because of my involvement with DECA, I also want to learn about the other business program offered at Station Camp: FBLA. By learning about how the class works, I will also be able to give feedback about my DECA experiences, and hopefully be able to intrigue Coach Yarbrough's class to become involved in more. DECA has helped me create communication skills, and the basics of marketing so far. By taking on this 20% project task, I am hoping to further my knowledge.

Analysis

     During this project, I will need to be prepared to open m mind up to new job paths. Although I am set on becoming a small business owner or being a sales and communications director of a larger corporation, being prepared to change a job path is a common event in college. By learning different areas in high school, I am going into college with a more focused goal. By doing this, I will be shortening my time tiptoeing around my career at the college level.

Meaning

     As explained above, there are many aspects as to why I want to become Coach Yarbrough's TA. From learning about further business techniques and job paths to teaching classes and developing new communication skills, nothing but positive things will become the end result of this experience. Being able to incorporate my DECA project into this experience will also help my final presentation. At the end of this semester, I hope to present my project thoroughly to both Coach Yarbrough and Mr. Dittes