What VP Wesley Picked up @ deca els day 2 in phoenix...

The special Emerging Leaders Summit "DECA after dark" sessions allowed for me to learn about several important topics ranging from an Internship in Washington D.C. to the art of story telling. Below, I want to share with you some of the things I learned at these three presentations:

1.    Story Telling: The art of story telling involves many key aspects that allow for stories that you hear to be as effective as they are. You want to make sure that any story that you tell enhances your message or presentation and will ultimately have a message. Make sure that your audience learns something. A great way to learn about how to tell a story is to learn from others who are already writing compelling stories. One way to do just this is to watch videos from the popular website ted.com where professional and gifted speakers enlighten audiences on amazing topics through oral stories/presentations. Another great tip for those individuals who are working to become better speakers or story tellers is to learn to develop their voice into their presentation. Remember that you are the hero of your own story!

2.    Internships in D.C: When looking at the opportunities for potential college internships in D.C., there are often many things one needs to consider. Realizing that many internships can be hard to get into, the best way to get involved is by locally applying for positions to gain experience and then working your way out. There are usually around three officers that are politically based and will accept internships: The White House, The Senate, and The House. While working as a volunteer for The White House, one would likely believe that they would be working within The White House however, this has been discovered to be a myth. Most White House inters work at satellite offices away from the actual landmark. Another important aspect discussed was the fact that when you apply for different opportunities, keep in mind what it is that you want to gain from this experience. For example, a White House intern would not get to work with the President however, a House intern would likely have many opportunities to interact with their elected official. When looking to apply for positions, be sure to have experience behind you and contact the office for that representative in your home state. Ultimately, these positions are highly competitive and involve lots of work, though in the end, an intern can gain incredible experience.

3.    Scholarships: When applying for scholarships, make sure that you visit your guidance counselor often to be sure that you are up-to-date on all of the most recent available scholarships. You also want to make sure that you look for scholarships that have a smaller applicant pool. One example of this would be DECA scholarships which are exclusive to only DECA members. Also be sure to check with your specific college or university to see what kinds of scholarships that they may offer or honor. Another helpful tip when writing college essays is to have a professional help you with the work. You want to make sure that you stand out and a great way to do this is to start strong, often with a visual. You can also talk about the things that you are involved with and any failures you might have experienced in your lifetime. College begins the next chapter of your life, make sure that you spend the time during your high schools years to set yourself up for success.

These were some very helpful tips that I learned today during day two of the DECA Emerging Leaders Summit. I hope that in some way, our members can use these tips to grow their future opportunities.