A group of representatives from Alfred University’s College of Business, the Business and Finance Division, and Admissions Department attended the New York DECA 65th Annual State Career Conference, March 7 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester.
A group of representatives from Alfred University’s College of Business, the Business and Finance Division, and Admissions Department attended the New York DECA 65th Annual State Career Conference, March 7 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester.
The Alfred contingent had the opportunity to connect with the more than 2,000 prospective students from New York high schools in attendance, all of whom are DECA members. DECA, with more than 290,000 high school student members and more than 5,400 college students members, has a mission of preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.
Students at the Rochester conference participated in business pitch competitions, attended educational workshops, and networked with fellow students, educators, and nonprofit organizations. Preston Ordway, admissions counselor, exhibited at the event to connect with prospective students.
Kash LaPlante, assistant dean of the College of Business, and Evan Tsai, project manager for Business and Finance, presented two workshop sessions on how students can utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in entrepreneurship. During the hands-on workshop, students learned how to use tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm, develop, and refine a business plan. Students generated creative business ideas, crafted marketing strategies, and even calculated financial projections.
“We really enjoyed teaching students how to use AI to explore entrepreneurial opportunities while simplifying the process of creating a business plan,” Tsai commented.
“It was a great pleasure being able to meet and interact with such passionate students in a common arena,” LaPlante added. “I’ve even managed to connect with some of them on LinkedIn and have established some interest in visiting campus.”