Forty-three thousand members, over 2,300 chapters, in 23 states in a world of business and information-technology (IT). This is the world of Business Professionals of America (BPA). Their mission: to prep a world-class workforce by advancing their leadership, citizenship, academic and technological skills.

“BPA basically exposes you to business related competition,” junior Monica Lin said. “It allows you to really see how the business world functions.”

BPA helps in preparing students for their careers after high school. It mainly revolves around students who plan to go into the business field or begin business for themselves. The students begin competition at Regional Leadership Conference in January.

“If they place in the top of their event,” BPA sponsor and teacher Catherine Humphrey said, “they move on to the State Leadership Conference in March and if they place in the top at State, they move on to the National Leadership Conference in May.”

Students have the opportunity to compete in business related events.

“There are many different events that involve entrepreneurship, computer-engineering and IT stuff,” Lin said.

There are also a variety of competitions that allow students to compete to their forte.

“There are three kinds of competitions,” junior Christina Kang said. “The first is a test that tests your knowledge, the second one is an individual project or presentation and the third one is a group presentation. It’s more of business presentation, talking about things like interview skills, economic research, small businesses.”

This year, Regionals was held in Frisco, TX with State taking place in Dallas. The National Competition takes place in the form of a National Conference with students all over the country participating in business activities.

“This year the National Conference is in Anaheim, California and next year it will be in Boston, Massachusetts,” Humphrey said. “Our students have done very well this year. We took 22 students to State and will be taking eight to Nationals, up from four to Nationals last year.”

BPA has taught students a lot about professionalism and business. The students are also supported by their teachers who hope that they learn new skills and improve on those they have already learned.

“It’s great for building your resume and it teaches you about professionalism,” Kang said. “You experience a lot.”