DECA Students Advance to Internationals in Orlando

Seven business students heading for Orlando

Seven business students at Inver Hills Community College have advanced to the 54th annual DECA International Career Development Conference April 18–22, 2015, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Along with Business Instructor and DECA Faculty Advisor Yohannes Agegnehu, the students leave for Orlando Friday, April 17, having competed successfully at the DECA Career Development Conference, a regional event, in February in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The Inver Hills group will be staying at the Caribe Royale in Orlando.

“The competitive events at the DECA International Career Development Conference are very intense,”  Yohannes said. “Students compete individually and in groups. They are given real-world business problems to solve—and they only get a half hour to come up with a solution.”

Yohannes reported that the students then give 15-minute presentations to a panel of three judges, explaining their approach to their given problems. The judges are corporate executives who grade the students on their poise, business sense and professionalism as well as the quality of their solutions.

Yohannes added that the students learn to think on their feet, stay flexible, dress and act professionally, and problem-solve in exceptionally time-sensitive situations.  He pointed out that participating in DECA not only provides tremendous business experience, but also opens up a world of networking opportunities. His own role at the ICDC means putting in long hours as a competition coordinator.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students,” he said, noting that nine other countries will be represented at the conference. “They have worked hard for the chance to compete at the international level.”

DECA students going to the ICDC

• Beatriz Olivares, 21
  Inver Hills DECA President
  Hometown: West St. Paul, Minnesota
  Residence today: St. Paul, Minnesota
• Louie Dolen, 22
  Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
  Residence today: St. Paul, Minnesota
• Tes McCullen, 21
  Hometown: Bovey, Minnesota
  Residence today: Hastings, Minnesota
• Stephanie Clausen, 19
  Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
  Residence today: Cottage Grove, Minnesota
• Kyle Ziegler, 21
  Hometown: Alborn, Minnesota
  Residence today: Hastings, Minnesota
• Maayuk Eta, 18
  Hometown: Kumba, Cameroon
  Residence today: Eagan, Minnesota
• Loren Bushyhead, 21
  Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
  Residence today: St. Paul, Minnesota
  

About Collegiate DECA

Collegiate DECA programs and competitions are clustered around six academic areas:

• Business Management & Administration
• Communications & Technology
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance & Accounting
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Marketing & Sales

Competitive events allow students to put their experience, skills and knowledge to the test while representing their college or  university. Students compete for top international honors in one of 24 different competitions.

• ICDC Overview

Not pictured: Loren Bushyhead, advanced to ICDC

DECA student spotlights

 Kyle Ziegler

• Advanced to DECA ICDC
• Age: 21
• Hometown: Alborn, Minnesota
• Residence now: Hastings, Minnesota
• One word describing Inver Hills: Inspirational

Looking for a good fit after switching his academic focus from science to business, Kyle Ziegler started at Inver Hills in summer 2014. Kyle is taking business classes while working on his general education requirements. His goal is to transfer in fall 2015 to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls to pursue a bachelor’s degree in finance. His career goals are centered on becoming a business banker.

About DECA: “DECA provides great opportunities for students seeking business and business-related degrees.”

 Maayuk Eta

• Advanced to DECA ICDC
• Age: 21
• Hometown: Kumba, Cameroon
• Residence now: Eagan, Minnesota
• One word describing Inver Hills: Unique

Maayuk Eta chose Inver Hills for two reasons: her general ed and marketing classes are more affordable and the campus is conveniently located. Maayuk has plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota in fall 2016. She has narrowed her major down to three choices, marketing, advertising or PR, but is leaning toward marketing. She would like to earn her M.B.A. after her bachelor’s degree. She would one day like to be a marketing executive or own her own PR firm.
About DECA: “I learned about DECA at Student Success Day. Beatriz (Olivares) told me how I would get professional experience in the business world. I really like the people in DECA. We’re like a family.”

To learn more about DECA and Business programs at Inver Hills, contact:

Yohannes Agegnehu
Business Instructor
DECA Faculty Advisor
651-450-3250