The Business Professionals of America on NW Campus is more than just a club. Students also have the opportunity to explore possible future careers through competitive events.
The BPA doesn’t hold regular weekly meetings. Instead, students typically meet individually with their faculty mentors as they prepare for regional, state and national competitions.
“It is a lot of work,” said BPA adviser Jaye Simpson, an associate professor of accounting and department chair. “They’re working a couple hours every week, usually meeting with their mentor. Depending on the event, they may be meeting with multiple mentors. So, for example, my financial analyst team, they meet with me once a week. They also meet with a speech professor once a week, because they have a presentation component. So they have to do double duty there. I have definitely seen students come out with much more confidence.”
This year, the club is sending six students to nationals: Ooreoluwapo Fasalogo, Leanna Nguyen, Matheus Minconi, Taylor Grumbles, Sienna Grant and McKenzee Beauford. They will compete in Nashville from May 6-10.
Grumbles, who is also the NW SGA senate chair, advanced to nationals in business law and ethics. He hopes to work in the entertainment law industry in the future and hopes his event will prepare him for that.
“I’ve always been interested in law and logical things,” Grumbles said. “It just made sense.”
No business major is required to join the club. It’s open to all TCC students. Applications are taken in the fall to give members time to prepare for their spring competitions.
Club members have traveled to major cities across the cities including Chicago, Boston, Indianapolis, Washington and multiple locations and California.
“It looks good on a resume and has good opportunities,” said Grumbles, who will be flying for the first time when the club travels to Nashville.
One previous BPA member wanted to attend TCU but was not accepted the first time he applied. He came to TCC for another year and placed at nationals. When he reapplied, he was accepted.
“The only thing that changed was he had competed in BPA,” Simpson said. “It means something to be able to say ‘I advanced nationals in this event.’ That says something.”
BPA students can also win scholarships. Simpson said one previous student won a $100,000 scholarship
“I mean, that’s life-changing, right?” she said. “She did win first place in her event, but it was not because she won first place. It was just the scholarship was only offered to BPA students. So that’s amazing.”
