Career Development Project

Document your community or business project in a portfolio. Include a rationale, planning process, activities completed, evidence of impact, and reflection.

Walk judges through your project: the problem you addressed, what you did, the results achieved, and what you learned.

Answer questions about your planning process, leadership decisions, and documented outcomes.

Read DECA's official guidelines thoroughly

Each written event has a specific format outlined in the DECA Guide. Page limits, required sections, and formatting standards must be followed exactly.

Choose a meaningful, real-world topic

Judges reward authentic research with measurable data. Choose a topic you can actually research and document well.

Start the written entry early

Plan for multiple drafts. Have your advisor and peers review it. Written entries are scored before you arrive, they determine whether you advance.

Prepare a tight 10-minute pitch

The presentation is your highlight reel. Practice a structured opening, a concise walk-through of key findings, and a strong close.

Anticipate Q&A deep dives

Judges will probe your data sources, methodology, and assumptions. Know every number in your entry and why you made each decision.