Business students place in competition
Utah State University hosted this year’s annual Utah Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX) Career Development Conference over the weekend.
Colleges and universities around the state gathered at the Eccles Conference Center on Friday and Saturday to participate in a hands-on learning environment for business management and marketing students, said Trent Lay, vice president of communications for Utah DEX.
DEX is a club offered through the College of Business at USU. It is the college level of DECA, said Malia Young, a professor of business information systems and the USU DEX adviser.
This year USU had nine participants represented in six different DEX events, including marketing management, financial services, business to business, apparel and accessories, travel and tourism, and restaurant and food services.
“Delta Epsilon Chi helps to prepare students for life in the business world. It provides occupational, leadership and networking skills that can help attain and maintain employment,” said Elisa Olsen, the USU DEX vice president.
Business simulations, case studies and prepared business presentations are the three main focuses in which students compete. The students are given tests in a variety of business types, they then get the opportunity to display what they have learned in role-play activities, Olsen said.
During a fall leadership in Park City, USU students started learning how to compete in their individual events. They learned what they could possibly expect in competition and how to present their knowledge to the judges, Olsen said.
Young said, “We have sample tests and case studies for the students use to prepare.”
In addition, the USU DEX program offers students scholarship opportunities, service projects, and résumé experience, Young said.
Richard Gwynn, Utah DEX president, said, “DEX gives students not only the opportunity to interact with each other, but it also exhibits their business communication skills in front of business professionals.”
Following are the results from USU participants in DEX competitions:
* Financial services — Jackie Gubler, 1st; Danielle Doman, 3rd
* Restaurant and food service — Steve Hills, 4th
* Business-to-business team event — Elisa Olsen and Anna Badger, 1st
* E-commerce decision making — Danielle Doman, 4th
* Human resources management decision making — Steve Hills, 4th
* Management decision making merchandising — Holy Hansen, 1st; Saray Lopez, 2nd
* DEX Adviser of the Year — Malia Young
Students who placed will have the opportunity to compete at the international DEX conference in Orlando, Fla.
–alwhite@cc.usu.edu