Business students and DECA members expanded their academic  horizons and went on a trip to the Windy City on Nov. 13. Chicago is filled with corporations and marketers that taught the students the behind the scenes secrets of real-world business.

The students went to a Nike store, Soldier Field Stadium, the Federal Reserve Bank and ComedySportz Theatre. At each destination marketers educated the students on how they incorporate business into their professions.

Business teacher and DECA advisor Michelle Davis went on the trip, as well as a few other teachers, and has found many benefits in going to Chicago.

“We take the trip to Chicago every year because there’s a lot of educational things we can do that fit into the business curriculum,” Davis said.

Business student, DECA member and junior Garrett Clark took a lot away from the trip, especially after visiting the Nike store.

“I definitely learned a lot from Nike, anywhere from being in the business, how you start low and work your way up,” Clark said. “They (Nike marketers) taught me how to manage a company.”

After attending the trip, business student and DECA member junior Jackie Veneri has obtained even more information on business, she believes this experience has paved her path for the future.

“I think it will (the trip) help me in the future so I have some background knowledge of what it (business) is all about,” Veneri said. “When I go to college and decide to pick a career I can kind of have some knowledge on what it’s all about.”

Davis believes that all the trips they take let students dip their feet into the corporate world.

“I think when we take trips like this they (the students) understand the marketing concepts in class,” Davis said. “When we take them somewhere and they actually see how much detail is put into it and how much the job actually entails, it’s an eye opener for them.”