CAMDEN — While today’s job market continues to be highly competitive for college graduates, a group of students at the Rutgers School of Business–Camden are preparing to show what sets them apart during a national conference and competition this month.
During Nov. 17-19, five Rutgers–Camden students will participate in the annual Collegiate Leadership Academy in New York City presented by DECA, the global organization dedicated to preparing high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.
DECA promises to prepare students for careers in business by integrating skills learned in the classroom through conferences, internships, scholarships, competitions, and professional networking.
(From left to right), Bryan Barkow, Katie Walsh, and Kevin Walsh founded the Rutgers-Camden DECA chapter.
The Rutgers–Camden students participating in the conference are: Kristen Abdallah of Washington Township, Bryan Barkow of Cherry Hill, Samantha McClernan of Mantua Township, Katie Walsh of Mantua Township, and Kevin Walsh of Mantua Township.
Students from more than 30 different colleges and universities from across the United States and Canada will be divided into case-study teams and present their own case-study solutions to a panel of industry leaders.
“The conference will allow us to take what we learn in the classroom and apply it to real-world situations,” says Barkow, a Cherry Hill High School East graduate and sophomore management major at Rutgers–Camden.
Attendees also participate in discussions with business and industry leaders on preparing for today’s competitive marketplace.
Katie Walsh, a Clearview Regional High School graduate and senior marketing major, says the conference provides critical experience to students who are unsure of which business career path to pursue.
“It’s a way to gain more knowledge and explore different fields of business,” she says. “Having the practical experience is invaluable.”
Katie Walsh, along with twin brother Kevin Walsh and Barkow, founded the Rutgers–Camden chapter of DECA after deciding to look for another way to enhance their professional skills and help give them an edge in the real world.
“It’s a really good way to ramp up our professional development,” says Kevin Walsh, a senior marketing major and Clearview Regional High School graduate. “We felt this was a good opportunity for our students to gain valuable business experience and apply classroom knowledge.”
McClernan, also a graduate of Clearview Regional High School, says the conference allows the students to use their creativity to come up with business solutions while working alongside other students from across the country.
“Every aspect of this conference is critical to your personal brand, and in the end will give you an advantage over others,” she says. “This conference takes us all back to the basics, and is a reminder of how important presentation and communication skills are business.”
Abdallah, a Washington Township High School graduate, says the opportunity to network with business leaders at the conference is also an invaluable experience.
"I have found that networking is a vital part of professional development,” she says.
Carol Kaufman-Scarborough, a professor of marketing at Rutgers–Camden and faculty advisor for the Rutgers–Camden DECA chapter, says the club offers another way to practice business skills regularly.
“The opportunities to build speaking, analytical, and networking skills are tremendous,” Kaufman-Scarborough says.
Rutgers–Camden students interested in joining DECA on campus can “like” Rutgers–Camden Collegiate DECA on Facebook, or email Kevin Walsh at kwalsh10@camden.rutgers.edu or Katie Walsh at kwalsh3@camden.rutgers.edu.
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Media Contact: Ed Moorhouse
(856) 225-6759
E-mail: ejmoor@camden.rutgers.edu
