Career Cluster

Business Management and Administration

Business management and administration professionals are driven to ensuring that organizational functions are efficient and meet short- and long-term goals. They must be resourceful, collaborative, decisive and have both interpersonal skills and quantitative mindsets. Business management professionals can assume leadership roles in nearly every industry.

DECA CONNECTS

Connect to Courses, Curriculum + Careers

DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition. Examine your course of study and integrate activities from DECA’s comprehensive learning program to show that DECA is connected and relevant.

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Related Courses

DECA's Comprehensive Learning Program provides a variety of instructional resources that would be suitable for these courses and more.

  • Principles of Business Administration
  • Business Communication
  • Business Ethics
  • Business Law
  • Business Management
  • Leadership In The Workplace
  • Management
  • Project Management

Career Pathways

Each career cluster contains several career pathways, or specialized career areas that are comprised of careers that require similar knowledge and skills.

  • Administrative Services
  • Business Information Management
  • General Management
  • Human Resources Management
  • Operations Mangement

Instructional Areas

Instructional areas are broad areas of content knowledge that are comprised of many performance indicators. Performance indicators are specific knowledge and skills employees are expected to demonstrate or achieve.

Business Law
Communications
Compliance
Customer Relations
Economics
Emotional Intelligence
Entrepreneurship
Financial Analysis
Human Resources Management
Information Management
Knowledge Management
Marketing
Operations
Professional Development
Project Management
Quality Management
Risk Management
Strategic Management

Career Opportunities

The following are examples of career opportunities and occupations that are available within this career cluster.

Affirmative Action Coordinator
Analyst
Association Manager
Benefits Specialist
Business Development Manager
Chief Operating Officer
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Compliance Officer
Consultant
Contract Administrator
Corporate Trainer
Data Processors
Department Manager
Director of Human Resources
Director of Membership Development
Director of Operations
Director of Strategy
Director of Volunteer Services
Economist
Email Marketing Manager
Employee Assistance Plan Manager
Employment and Placement Manager
Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist
Forecasting Manager
General Counsel
Human Resource Manager
Human Resources Assistant
Human Resources Consultant
Human Resources Coordinator
Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Manager
Industrial Relations Director
Knowledge Management Specialist
Loss Prevention Specialist
Management Trainee
Operations Manager
Personnel Recruiter
Planning Analyst
Project Manager
Regional Manager
Research Assistant
Research Specialist
Risk Manager
Store Manager
Strategic Planner
Strategic Resource Manager
Training and Development Manager
Training and Development Specialist

COMPETITIVE EVENTS

Enrich the Classroom

DECA’s Competitive Events Program is an incredible tool for curriculum. As an integral part of the classroom curriculum, DECA’s industry-validated competitive events are aligned with National Curriculum Standards.

DECA’s flagship evaluation process involves students in both a written component such as an exam or report and an interactive component with an industry professional serving as a judge. DECA’s competitive events reinforce creativity, problem solving and presentation skills.

The potential for recognition, awards and travel for learning classroom content is a tremendous motivator – not to mention the scholarships and cash awards recognizing DECA members for outstanding achievement.

With more than 60 events, DECA offers a competitive event for every course and every student.

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Case Studies + EXAMS

Integrate into Classroom Instruction

Case studies provide a student-centered engagement activity to help DECA members apply learning through problem-based scenarios that require creative solutions and practical outcomes. DECA’s case studies challenge DECA members to demonstrate industry-relevant knowledge and skills through performance indicators. DECA’s case studies are developed through industry research to reflect current issues and trends in business and industry.

DECA’s exams are rigorous, industry-validated, multiple-choice, 100-item exams based on National Curriculum Standards. Each exam item is also linked to an instructional area and specific performance indicator.

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2025
Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making
Emotional Intelligence
Role-Play

You are to assume the roles of the public relations manager and the product manager at Answer, a large computer technology company. The vice president (judge) wants you to analyze feedback received regarding a new product and decide if and how the company should respond.

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Role-Play
Emotional Intelligence
Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making
2025
Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making
Emotional Intelligence
Role-Play

You are to assume the roles of the public relations manager and the product manager at Answer, a large computer technology company. The vice president (judge) wants you to analyze feedback received regarding a new product and decide if and how the company should respond.

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Role-Play
Emotional Intelligence
Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making
2025
Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making
Emotional Intelligence
Role-Play

You are to assume the roles of the public relations manager and the product manager at Answer, a large computer technology company. The vice president (judge) wants you to analyze feedback received regarding a new product and decide if and how the company should respond.

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Role-Play
Emotional Intelligence
Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making
2025
Business Management and Administration Exam
Exam

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Exam
2025
Business Management and Administration Exam
Exam

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Exam
2025
Business Management and Administration Exam
Exam

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Exam
2025
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management
Role-Play

You are to assume the role of the human resources manager at Sunshine Industries, a large corporation with 25 offices in the United States and Canada. The director of recruitment (judge) wants your help in cutting costs on business travel within the employee recruitment department.

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Role-Play
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management Series
2025
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management
Role-Play

You are to assume the role of the human resources manager at Sunshine Industries, a large corporation with 25 offices in the United States and Canada. The director of recruitment (judge) wants your help in cutting costs on business travel within the employee recruitment department.

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Role-Play
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management Series
2025
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management
Role-Play

You are to assume the role of the human resources manager at Sunshine Industries, a large corporation with 25 offices in the United States and Canada. The director of recruitment (judge) wants your help in cutting costs on business travel within the employee recruitment department.

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Role-Play
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management Series
2025
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management
Role-Play

You are to assume the role of the human resources manager at Riverside Pet Clinic, a veterinarian office with 55 employees. The owner (judge) wants you to determine how to encourage all employees to participate in a hobby.

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Role-Play
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management Series
2025
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management
Role-Play

You are to assume the role of the human resources manager at Riverside Pet Clinic, a veterinarian office with 55 employees. The owner (judge) wants you to determine how to encourage all employees to participate in a hobby.

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Role-Play
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management Series
2025
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management
Role-Play

You are to assume the role of the human resources manager at Riverside Pet Clinic, a veterinarian office with 55 employees. The owner (judge) wants you to determine how to encourage all employees to participate in a hobby.

Hidden Content:
Classroom Resources
Business Management and Administration
Role-Play
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management Series

CORPORATE CHALLENGES

Apply Learning

DECA and its corporate partners have teamed up to provide classroom activities that challenge members to apply learning in relevant ways.

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DECA at the Bell Challenge

Write and produce your very own episode of DECA at the Bell. Creativity is encouraged; what matters most is the ability to engage the audience while connecting something in the world of business to the world of DECA. The topic/theme of the 2025 challenge is Target Marketing Strategies.

Submissions due by:
October 31, 2025
SubmitRegister
Guidelines

NextGen Innovators Challenge

Flex your creativity, tech savvy and business expertise. Whether you’re launching an app or building a global brand, understanding how to engage users, personalize experiences and leverage data sets future leaders apart. The most successful businesses today use gamification, artificial intelligence and real-time data to keep customers coming back. Now it’s your turn to explore how they do it. Your team will take on a real-world design challenge inspired by the future of technology.

Submissions due by:
November 15, 2025
SubmitRegister
Guidelines

Disability Is Diversity Challenge

Create a focused Disability Is Diversity presentation that highlights the obstacles and experiences of navigating an educational environment with differing abilities. Learn firsthand about the barriers encountered by a student with a disability and determine how you can advocate for needed change.

Submissions due by:
December 19, 2025
SubmitRegister
Guidelines

Nestlé Professional Solutions (NPS) Beverage Marketing Challenge

Dive into B2B marketing in connection with students and foodservice operators. This includes developing marketing campaigns and messaging frameworks that translate NPS products into business benefits. You’ll also identify the “next big thing” in GenZ and GenAlpha beverage trends, and how NPS can bring those innovations to campus foodservice operators.

Submissions due by:
December 19, 2025
SubmitRegister
Guidelines

Social Impact Leader of Tomorrow Challenge

Demonstrate your creativity by producing the next big cause marketing idea for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. DECA chapters can participate by developing and executing a unique fundraising campaign with a social media component and video.

Submissions due by:
January 9, 2026
SubmitRegister
Guidelines

Strategic School Procurement Challenge

Develop a strategic procurement plan to solve a real-world issue in your school—such as sourcing sustainable cafeteria food, upgrading classroom technology, or increasing local business participation in contracts. Your team will research ethical, sustainable, and value-driven procurement strategies and create a detailed written report outlining the problem, proposed solution, implementation approach, and expected impact. Then, bring your plan to life with a creative media piece designed to engage and inspire your community.

Submissions due by:
January 9, 2026
SubmitRegister
Guidelines

Community Impact Challenge

Demonstrate your creativity by producing the next community impact marketing idea for Infinity Insurance Agency. Develop a creative and impactful outreach campaign that will focus on bringing STEAM opportunities to underserved communities. Each team of up to three members will research non-profit and event opportunities in their local area and evaluate website strength and social media reach.

Submissions due by:
January 12, 2026
SubmitRegister
Guidelines

Lead4Change Community Service Challenge

Lead a team to identify a real problem in your community or school and develop a service project that creates impact. You’ll apply leadership skills to plan, promote, and implement your project—focusing on causes that matter most to you and your team members. Projects can address anything from mental health to school safety to hunger relief—it’s your choice. Your impact. Your legacy.

Submissions due by:
January 15, 2026
SubmitRegister
Guidelines

Power Perks Challenge

Ignite Gen Z’s career interest in the energy sector. As part of a dynamic creative agency, develop a compelling recruitment video about the energy industry and engaging social media assets that answer the crucial question for young talent: “What’s in it for me?” Dive into the world of workforce development and craft a campaign that showcases the exciting opportunities and impact of energy careers, attracting the bright minds of tomorrow.

Submissions due by:
January 16, 2026
SubmitRegister
Guidelines

Digital Presentation Skills Challenge

Demonstrate your digital presentation skills utilizing a Virtual Business simulation in a one- to two-minute digital presentation. The top finalists will deliver a live, digital presentation.

Submissions due by:
January 30, 2026
SubmitRegister
Guidelines

EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES

Extend Learning Beyond The Classroom

DECA conferences provide unique opportunities to connect students with corporate professionals to engage them in learning industry-related trends and content.

Learn more

Ultimate DECA Power Trip

November 21-23, 2025
Arlington, VA

DECA International Career Development Conference

April 25-28, 2026
Atlanta, GA

Partners

Connect To Business

DECA’s college and corporate partners engage DECA members and help them prepare for colleges and careers of their choice. They provide classroom presentations, scholarships, internships, work experience and much more. Visit our partners page to learn more about developing a win-win relationship with DECA’s partners.

Learn more
Hidden Content:
Belmont University, Jack C. Massey College of Business
College + University
College
Hidden Content:
Bentley University
College + University
College
Hidden Content:
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
College + University
College
Hidden Content:
Frosty Fruit
Fundraiser + Vendor
Vendor
Hidden Content:
George Mason University, School of Business
College + University
College
Hidden Content:
Golisano Institute
College + University
College
Hidden Content:
Infinity Insurance Agency
Employment + Internship
Hidden Content:
Piper Sandler
Fundraiser + Vendor
Curriculum
Hidden Content:
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Employment + Internship
Career
Hidden Content:
RIT Saunders College of Business
College + University
College
Hidden Content:
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Employment + Internship
Career
Hidden Content:
SHRM Foundation
Association + Foundation
Career
Hidden Content:
Syracuse University
College + University
College
Hidden Content:
University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
College + University
College
Hidden Content:
University of Wyoming, College of Business
College + University
College

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Get Involved

Together, we can help prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for college and career. Learn about the various opportunities to get involved with DECA.

Learn more

Start a DECA Chapter

Partner with DECA

Questions?

Contact DECA staff
for more information.

View All DECA Staff Contacts
Christopher Young, CAE
Chief Program Officer
Contact

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DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

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