Career and Technical Student Organizations

DECA is an international organization available to all high school students who are currently enrolled in Marketing and Entrepreneurship Education courses. Through activities at the local, state and national level DECA members have the opportunity to enhance their working knowledge of vocational understanding, community service, leadership development, and social intelligence. Since its conception, DECA has developed a competitive events program for students to compete against peers for recognition of skills necessary for marketing careers. DECA Competitive Events parallel Marketing and Entrepreneurship Education curricula and industry-validated competencies. Participants compete in written papers, test, and role-playing events that simulate actual business situations. They are judged by business people in the specific occupational area. 

The events are held in the major career clusters of:

• Business Administration & Management
• Finance
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Sales & Service
• Entrepreneurship

NCDECA State Advisor - Pam O'Brien

For more information on DECA opportunities visit:

NC DECA

DECA

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that significantly enhances Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education. Established in 1945, FCCLA focuses on personal growth and leadership development through FCS education, emphasizing roles such as family member, wage earner, and community leader. The organization provides teacher-developed and student-tested project-based learning strategies, shifting the responsibility for achieving Career and Technical Education (CTE) and FCS program outcomes to students. Through various intracurricular chapter programs and projects, students deepen their understanding of FCS standards and apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. FCCLA most directly supports Career Clusters in Arts and Design, Hospitality and Tourism, Financial Services, Education and Training, Human Services, and Public Service. 

FCCLA offers numerous opportunities for students to engage in competitive events, community service, and leadership development. With over 244,000 student members and more than 7,300-chapter advisers across 5,300 chapters, FCCLA fosters a vibrant community committed to making a difference. The organization addresses various youth concerns, including parenting, family relationships, substance abuse, peer pressure, sustainability, nutrition and fitness, teen violence, and career preparation. Additionally, FCCLA provides merit-based scholarships and helps students explore career pathways, making them college- and career-ready. By participating in FCCLA, students develop essential life skills and become leaders in their families, careers, and communities.

For more information on FCCLA opportunities visit:

National FCCLA

State FCCLA

NC FCCLA State Adviser - Dani Fisher stateadviser@northcarolinafccla.org 

FFA is the agricultural education youth organization that prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. FFA develops members' potential and helps them discover their talent through hands on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. Members are future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers, and premier professionals in many career fields. FFA is a diverse organization, operating in rural, urban, and suburban schools. Students aged 12-21 enrolled in agricultural education programs are eligible for membership. FFA is one of the three instructional components of agricultural education. Across North Carolina there are 48,241 members in 370 chapters. Nationally, there are 1,027,273 members in 9,235 chapters. Members can be found in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

North Carolina Agricultural Education Staff

For more information on FFA opportunities, visit:

• North Carolina FFA
• National FFA 

Future Business Leaders of America is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) education association with a quarter-million students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. FBLA is organized on local, state, and national levels. Business teachers, advisors, and advisory councils (including school officials, business people, and community representatives) guide local chapters. State advisers and committee members coordinate chapter activities for the national organization. FBLA is the largest business career student organization in the world. 

The association has four divisions:

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for high school students
• FBLA-Middle Level for junior high, middle, and intermediate school students
• FBLA-Collegiate for postsecondary students
• Professional Division for business people, FBLA  alumni, educators, and parents who support the goals of the association

NC FBLA State Adviser - Michelle Brooks 

For more information on FBLA opportunities, visit:

FBLA

NC FBLA

The US Department of Education and the Health Science Education Division of ACTE endorses HOSA Future Health Professionals. HOSA Future Health Professionals, a career and technical student organization, is for students who are or have been enrolled in a Health Science Education program or are interested in a healthcare career. The mission of HOSA is to empower Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience. As an international organization, HOSA-Future Health Professionals has over 350,000 members globally. More than 100 competitive events include health science, health professions, emergency preparedness, leadership, teamwork, and recognition events.

HOSA Future Health Professionals includes:

• The Middle School Division comprises students grades 6 through 8 interested in or planning to pursue a career in healthcare.
• The Secondary Division comprises students in grades 9 through 12 enrolled in a Health Science program or interested in, planning to pursue, or pursuing a career in healthcare.
• Postsecondary/Collegiate Division for students enrolled in Health Science related programs at the postsecondary/collegiate level.

Chapters are organized locally and must include an appointed advisor (preferably a health science teacher). Students must affiliate with a local HOSA chapter to join HOSA Future Health Professionals.

NC HOSA State Executive Director, Jennifer Epperson, BSN, RN

For more information on HOSA opportunities, visit:

• NC HOSA
• International HOSA

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national organization available to all middle school and high school students who are enrolled in Computer Science, IT and Technology Education courses. Through activities at the local, state and national level TSA members have the opportunity to engage in community service and leadership development as they enhance their skills and understanding of computer science, IT and technology, engineering, and design. TSA has developed over 70 timely competitions that enable students to compete against peers for recognition in various CSITT and STEM related areas. 

TSA competitive events parallel the Computer Science, IT and Technology Education curricula and align with the Next Generation Science Standards (Grades 6-12), Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL), Computer Science Teachers Association K-12 Computer Science Standards, ISTE Standards for Students and the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. Participants compete in hands-on project based activities and leadership events in these major career areas:

• Architecture and Construction Technology
• Communications Technology
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Manufacturing and Transportation Technology
• STEM
• STEM and the Arts
• Technology and Research.

NC TSA State Advisor - Dr. Jerianne Taylor

For more information on TSA opportunities, visit:

NC Technology Student Association

National Technology Student Association

SkillsUSA is a partnership of education and industry designed to strengthen the nation’s skilled workforce.  The mission is to empower student members to become world-class workers and leaders.  SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.  SkillsUSA empowers students to become skilled professionals and career-ready leaders, providing every member the opportunity for career success.  SkillsUSA student members have the opportunity to develop and participate in a variety of activities and competitive events that showcase their personal, workplace and technical skills at the local, regional, state and national levels.

Skills USA Executive Director, Paul Heidepriem

For more information on SkillsUSA opportunities, visit:

SkillsUSA — North Carolina 

SkillsUSA — National