Just because the 2024-25 DECA season has wrapped up, doesn’t mean your progress and hard work have to! The off-season is one of the best times to continue working hard, serving as a valuable opportunity to reflect, recharge, and reset.

Whether you’re a new first-year member or an experienced ICDC winner, summer is your chance to stand out and build the foundation for long-term success.

So, here are 8 ways to stay productive and get ahead this summer:

1. Launch a Passion Project

Have a unique idea you’ve wanted to pursue, but never found the time for? This summer is the perfect time to take the first step. Whether you launch a startup, blog, nonprofit/initiative, or research project, you’ll gain hands-on experience that is often more valuable than any textbook curriculum. It shows initiative, creativity, and consistency – important qualities for a leader driven toward success.

2. Make a LinkedIn Profile and Create/Refine Your Resume

LinkedIn is a platform to start building your professional network early. Use the summer to create an updated profile and connect with fellow DECA members, peers, and alumni. You never know how these connections can aid you in your future career search!

At the same time, make sure to create or further refine your resume with any recent DECA wins, leadership roles, and community impact. It’s never too early to start preparing for college applications, job opportunities, or scholarships.

3. Take an Online Business Course

Platforms such as Coursera, edX, Khan Academy, and even local community colleges offer free or low-cost courses on business, marketing, entrepreneurship, and more. These courses can help build your business knowledge and give you a head start in preparing you for your roleplays and written events.

Recommended Courses and Resources:

• BabsonX: Entrepreneurial Operations: Launching a Startup
• Coursera: Business Analysis & Process Management
• Khan Academy: Entrepreneurship

4. Read a Leadership Book or Listen to a Business Podcast

Take some time to learn from renowned, successful entrepreneurs and leaders. Choose a book or podcast that aligns with your leadership style, interests, or goals. If you’re too busy to read or are an auditory learner, listening to a free podcast can be an efficient and low-effort way to grow your mindset and leadership abilities.

Recommendations:

• Leaders Eat Last, by Simon Sinek (Book)
• How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie (Book)
• The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett (Podcast)
• My First Million, by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri (Podcast)

5. Get a Summer Job or Internship

When trying to understand and practice business acumen, real-world experiences are the best approach to learn. Whether working as a cashier at a local cafe, interning at a startup, or shadowing a professional, you’ll learn workplace skills, customer service, and communication. These valuable experiences will not only prepare you for your roleplay events but can serve as an impressive addition to your resume.

6. Get a Head Start on DECA Competitive Event Preparation

Start early! If you have already decided on your partners and competitive event for the 2025-26 DECA season, use the summer to brainstorm, gather research, and set milestones. For updates regarding competitive events/topics, check DECA.org for the latest released guidelines. Starting early leaves you more time to pivot, seek feedback, and make revisions over time.

7. Join a Business Summer Program

While it may be too late to apply to some summer programs, a handful of rolling admission applications are still open! These immersive experiences offer unique opportunities to network and access industry professionals or professors, strengthening your college applications or resumes while building a strong community of like-minded students.

8. Set SMART Goals

To be productive this summer, you don’t need to have a packed schedule with no time for vacations and relaxing. Be intentional by setting S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) that align with your professional and personal development. By having actionable goals that you can hold yourself accountable to, you can stay focused and work toward something tangible.

Although summer is definitely the time to take a break and enjoy having no school, strike a balance between relaxing and pushing forward. Whether learning, working, or even building strong habits, these steps will make your summer productive and make you more prepared and confident in the 2025-26 DECA season! 

Be sure to make this summer count!

By Jaylyn Chong | CA DECA Vice President of Leadership