Sam Marteka '17
Ever since stepping on campus at Syracuse, I have been involved in so many different
activities and really love all that the school has to offer. I’m a member of Baseball Analytics Club, Sport Management Club, Sport Sales Club, and WAER Sports Radio. I am also on the Changeover Crew at the Carrier Dome which is in charge of transforming the dome turf field from a football field, to a basketball court, concert stage, etc. I am happy to say that I have not had a problem with meeting new people or getting involved early on in my first semester as a freshman. As I look back on my high school years, there were a lot of things that prepared me for success at the college level. The ideas, experiences, and lessons that came with being involved in DECA is at the top of that list. Whether it was learning how to be a leader, dressing professionally, networking with different people, fundraising, or problem solving, I certainly would not be in the same place if it was not for DECA. One experience in particular stands out to me. As the VP of Career Development my senior year of high school, I was in charge of reaching out and talking to local businesses about joining our chapter as professional members. I had to talk to people that I had never seen before and pitch what DECA is about. It gave me too see what it was like in a professional atmosphere in terms of meeting new people and developing new contacts. Here in the Sport Management program at Syracuse, we have had many networking events with Syracuse sport management alumni and other professionals in the sport industry. At those events, you have to introduce yourself to complete stranger, and essentially market yourself to build a connection with them. So far, I have been able to approach many different people at these events, connect with them, get their business card, and reach out to them. Having networking experience before I stepped foot on the Syracuse campus, courtesy of DECA, makes events like this easier for me, and helps me make a name for myself. It is important to start expanding your network, especially when you are a freshman, as you never know which connection could turn into a job or internship down the road. As I continue my studies at Syracuse University, I know that there will be many more times that my DECA knowledge will come in handy, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunities I had as a member of the club. |