Putnam City High School students have the opportunity to take an entrepreneur and marketing class, also known as DECA, where they are able to learn about businesses while doing hands-on training.

They focus on communicating and learning skills to run a successful business. DECA members are able to experience selling merchandise to students and staff members. They sell snacks, drinks, and clothes to further build on their business knowledge.

“It’s a lot of fun getting to interact with people, sell items, and build your skills as a business opportunity,” junior Peyton Eminheizer said.

Being in DECA helps a student grow as a leader in improving or learning new skills. It has opened new paths for these future business men and women.

“I’ve improved my leadership skills because of DECA. Especially in my presenting abilities. I think I’m able to project my voice better and I feel more confident and comfortable talking to new people that I didn’t know before,” senior Rose Smith said.

The information a student gains is not just used in classrooms but also used in the real world.

“It sets you up for success on your upcoming future careers. Being in DECA helps you grow professionally, and communication wise it was a huge help for me when I was in DECA. I know my former students all tell me it was a big help when they started working in their respected industry. Just learning some of those career skills like working with money, how to handle employees, how to learn to work with customers, and managing businesses and your own business is a huge part of our program,” DECA sponsor Mrs. Lair said.

Competing is a big part for DECA students. They go to conferences to show their talents.

“I’m excited for state conference in February, and ICDC. ICDC is an International Career Development Conference that’s in Florida. We go and compete and meet people all around the country for ICDC, and for state we compete and meet other DECA members in the state,” junior Abdullah Raja said.