DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

DECA members engage in a diverse range of competitive events, including mock interviews, public speaking, specialized exams, and report writing. These activities are designed to demonstrate their expertise in their chosen career paths, equipping them with essential skills for success in the corporate world and beyond.

DECA mandates that all members enroll in a Career Technical Education (CTE) course as per the California Department of Education guidelines. At Castro Valley High School, the CTE courses offered are Marketing Econ and Business Econ. Students who are unable to take a CTE course may still join CVHS DECA but will not be eligible to participate in larger conferences such as NorCal, States, and ICDC. To ensure all members have opportunities for engagement, the club will organize local events like MiniCons for those who cannot attend the major conferences.