Students competing at State Career Development Conference • February 15–16, 2018
The Minnesota Collegiate DECA team at Inver Hills Community College is competing at the State Career Development Conference (SCDC) February 15–16, 2018, at the Sheraton Minneapolis West in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The SCDC provides college students with opportunities to gain experience competing via real-life business scenarios in an environment designed to deliver feedback for professional and academic growth.
Minnesota Collegiate DECA reports that experienced industry professionals work directly with students in a judged format. Students earn recognition during mini-awards and grand award sessions. During competitions, students are given one hour to prepare a solution to a given case study. Each competitor then meets with a judge to present the real-life case study for grading based on the interaction.
Alyssa added that students placing at the SCDC advance to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) April 10–15, 2018, in Washington, D.C. The ICDC offers Professional Development Academies and international recognition for competitors. Alyssa also noted that she is presenting a Student Success Day learning session called “What the HECKA is DECA?” from 1 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2018.
You can learn more about Alyssa by reading “Student Spotlight: Alyssa Hayden” on Inver Hills News.
More about Minnesota Collegiate DECA…
DECA, which stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America, is an international business club that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in business through educational and personal development seminars and activities as well as state and international competitions.
Collegiate DECA is a student-driven organization that values competence, innovation, integrity and teamwork. Collegiate DECA prepares students for careers by integrating skills learned in the classroom into real-world experiences. The organization’s programs assist in developing academically prepared, community-oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders.
Collegiate DECA students major in a variety of academic programs with a strong focus on business-related fields. Collegiate DECA conferences and other activities give students unique access to internships, scholarships, competition, and professional networking.
— Courtesy of Minnesota Collegiate DECA
DECA student spotlights
Shelby Clausen
Originally from Apple Valley, Minnesota, Shelby Clausen, 20, is a sophomore at Inver Hills. Shelby is a 2016 graduate of the School of Environmental Studies. She is earning her Associate of Arts (A.A.) at Inver with a focus on earning her prerequisites in finance. She has plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management to earn a B.S.B. in Finance and Risk Management Insurance.
Shelby’s career goals are centered on becoming an actuary. Family friends, including a professional actuary, have advised her on this career path. She joined DECA fall semester 2017 and is gearing up to compete at the SCDC in the Individual Accounting session.
She keeps busy outside of college working two jobs, one as an intern at an accounting firm in Burnsville, Minnesota, a position she acquired through the college’s Career Ready Internship program, and one as a shift leader at a Dairy Queen location in Apple Valley, a job she has held for four years.
When she’s not studying or working, Shelby volunteers as a coach for the Apple Valley High School trapshooting team. She is an accomplished trapshooter who was team captain for two years in high school; she took fourth in state her freshman year. She has two siblings, Brody, 19, and Karina, 24.
How would you describe your time at Inver Hills in one word?
BENEFICIAL.
Shelby Q & A
What do like best about DECA?
All the connections you make and professional experience you gain.
What is your greatest strength as a business student?
I’m already working in the field as an intern at an accounting firm.
Who’s your favorite business leader?
TBD, although she’s considering learning more about Elon Musk.
Collegiate DECA Guiding Principles
Collegiate DECA programs and competitive events are clustered around six academic areas.
Integrates into Classroom Instruction
- As an integral component of academic instruction, Collegiate DECA activities can provide authentic, experiential learning methods to help members succeed in college and prepare for careers.
Applies Learning
- Collegiate DECA members put their knowledge into action through rigorous project. based activities that require creative solutions with practical outcomes.
Connects to Business
- Partnerships with businesses at local, national and international levels provide student members realistic insight into industry and provide internships and career opportunities.
Promotes Competition
- As in the global economy, a spark of competition drives our members to excel and improve their performance. Campus competition teams also bring recognition to students and academic programs.
— Courtesy of Minnesota Collegiate DECA
Antonio Pineda
Born in Anaheim, California, Antonio Pineda, 18, of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, is a freshman at Inver Hills earning an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Accounting. Antonio graduated from Henry Sibley High School, class of 2017. After graduating from Inver Hills, he has plans to attend Minnesota State University Mankato to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Finance.
Antonio has focused his career goals on obtaining a financial analyst position at a bank. He would also like to work as a financial consultant. He is looking forward to participating in the SCDC in the Individual Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis competitions.
He helps pay for college by working 25 hours a week in sales and cashiering at Home Depot while going to school full-time. He enjoys meeting new people and reading nonfiction books, particularly business books; one of his favorites is The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder. He also volunteers at Prepare + Prosper in St. Paul, helping people prepare their taxes. He has two sisters, Samantha, 12, and Jennifer, 9.
How would you describe your time at Inver Hills in one word?
EXCITING.
Antonio Q & A
What do like best about DECA?
DECA focuses on business learning beyond the classroom. You get to meet people in your field, which is important for my major and future career.
What is your greatest strength as a business student?
Networking and meeting new people.
Who’s your favorite business leader?
Warren Buffett
To learn more about Collegiate DECA at Inver Hills, contact:
Todd Jagerson
Chief Information Officer
Collegiate DECA Faculty Advisor
651-450-3373
Alyssa Hayden
Collegiate DECA President
