Best Extracurriculars for Future Business, Finance, and Economics Majors

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Best extracurriculars for future business, finance, and economics majors: DECA, stock market clubs, entrepreneurship programs, and economics competitions.

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If you're planning to pursue business, finance, economics, or a related major in college, your extracurricular activities can demonstrate the entrepreneurial mindset, leadership skills, and financial acumen that top business programs seek. From established organizations like DECA and FBLA to starting your own ventures, this guide covers the most impactful activities for aspiring business students.

The best business school applicants don't just study business—they do business. They start companies, manage investments, lead organizations, and create measurable impact. Here's how to build a profile that stands out.

What Business Programs Look For

Admissions officers at competitive business programs specifically evaluate:

  • Leadership and teamwork – Evidence of leading groups and collaborating effectively
  • Entrepreneurial initiative – Starting businesses, projects, or organizations
  • Financial literacy – Understanding of markets, investing, and business fundamentals
  • Communication skills – Presentations, public speaking, and persuasion
  • Real-world application – Practical experience, not just academic knowledge
  • Quantifiable results – Revenue generated, funds managed, people led, growth achieved

Pro Tip: Business schools love numbers. Track metrics for everything you do using our Activities Builder—dollars raised, members recruited, revenue generated, events organized.

Business and Entrepreneurship Organizations

DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America)

DECA is the premier organization for high school students interested in business, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. With over 200,000 members, it offers competitive events, leadership development, and networking opportunities.

Key Opportunities:

  • Competitive events – Case studies, role plays, and presentations in categories like finance, marketing, hospitality, and entrepreneurship
  • Leadership development – State and international officer positions
  • ICDC – International Career Development Conference with 20,000+ attendees
  • Community service – DECA's civic consciousness initiative

How to Stand Out:

  • Compete consistently and advance to state/international levels
  • Run for chapter or state officer positions
  • Win awards in your specialized category
  • Mentor younger members

FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)

FBLA is another major organization connecting students with business education. It focuses more heavily on business skills competitions and career preparation.

Key Opportunities:

  • Competitive events – Tests and presentations in accounting, business law, economics, entrepreneurship, and more
  • Community service – March of Dimes partnership and local service projects
  • Leadership conferences – State and national events for networking and development
  • Officer positions – Local, state, and national leadership opportunities

BPA (Business Professionals of America)

BPA focuses on workplace skills and career readiness with competitive events in finance, management, and digital communications.

Entrepreneurship Clubs

Many schools have entrepreneurship clubs or programs. If yours doesn't, consider starting one:

  • Host pitch competitions for student business ideas
  • Invite local entrepreneurs as guest speakers
  • Organize business plan workshops
  • Run mock Shark Tank events
  • Connect with local small business development centers

Investment and Finance Activities

Investment Clubs

Managing real or simulated investment portfolios demonstrates financial literacy and analytical thinking. Consider:

  • Starting an investment club – Pool funds with classmates (with proper oversight) to manage a real portfolio
  • Stock market simulations – Compete in programs like The Stock Market Game or MarketWatch Virtual Stock Exchange
  • Analysis and presentations – Research and pitch stocks to your group

Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

This prestigious competition challenges teams to manage a $100,000 virtual portfolio. Finalists present at the Wharton School in Philadelphia.

Why it matters:

  • Association with a world-renowned business school
  • Real investment strategy experience
  • Teamwork and presentation skills
  • National recognition for winners

Knowledge at Wharton High School

Wharton's Global Youth Program offers resources, competitions, and online courses for high school students interested in business.

Personal Investing

With custodial brokerage accounts, high schoolers can invest real money (with parental oversight):

  • Start with small amounts and learn by doing
  • Document your investment thesis and track performance
  • Write about your investment journey for applications

Entrepreneurship and Starting Your Own Venture

Nothing demonstrates business acumen like actually starting a business. Admissions officers love seeing entrepreneurial initiative—whether it succeeded or failed.

Types of Ventures to Consider

  • E-commerce businesses – Dropshipping, print-on-demand, Etsy shops, Amazon FBA
  • Service businesses – Tutoring, lawn care, photography, event planning
  • Digital products – Apps, online courses, templates, content creation
  • Consulting – Social media management, web design, tech support for local businesses
  • Social enterprises – Nonprofits or for-profit businesses with social impact

How to Make It Impressive

  • Generate real revenue – Even $500 shows you made something people value
  • Solve a real problem – Identify a need and address it
  • Scale your impact – Grow your customer base over time
  • Learn from failures – Pivots and lessons learned are valuable too
  • Document everything – Revenue, customers, growth metrics, challenges overcome

Entrepreneurship Programs

Formal programs can accelerate your entrepreneurial journey:

  • MIT LaunchX – Intensive summer entrepreneurship program where students build real startups
  • Diamond Challenge – University of Delaware's entrepreneurship competition for high schoolers
  • NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) – Programs focused on entrepreneurship education
  • Conrad Challenge – Innovation competition encouraging entrepreneurial solutions to global problems

Browse our opportunities database to find entrepreneurship programs and competitions near you.

Economics and Academic Competitions

Economics Challenge (CEE)

The National Economics Challenge, run by the Council for Economic Education, tests knowledge of micro and macroeconomics through team-based competition.

Federal Reserve Challenge

Teams analyze economic conditions and present monetary policy recommendations to Federal Reserve economists.

Model UN (Economic Committees)

Model UN committees like ECOFIN (Economic and Financial Committee) focus specifically on global economic issues.

Economics Research

Conduct independent economics research or find mentorship with economics professors:

  • Analyze local economic trends with real data
  • Submit papers to economics journals for high school students
  • Present at regional economics conferences

Leadership and Team Activities

Business schools prioritize leadership. Here are ways to demonstrate it:

Student Government

Managing budgets, organizing events, and representing constituents mirrors corporate leadership:

  • Class president or student body officer
  • Committee leadership roles
  • Budget management responsibilities

Club Leadership

Lead any club to develop organizational and management skills:

  • President, vice president, or treasurer roles
  • Event planning and execution
  • Recruiting and managing members
  • Fundraising and budget management

Sports Team Captain

Athletic leadership demonstrates teamwork, motivation, and performance under pressure—all valued in business.

Public Speaking and Debate

Communication skills are essential for business success. Develop them through:

Debate Team

  • Policy debate for in-depth argumentation skills
  • Public forum debate for current events analysis
  • Congressional debate for legislative simulation

Speech and Forensics

  • Original oratory
  • Extemporaneous speaking
  • Persuasive speaking

Toastmasters Youth Programs

Some Toastmasters clubs welcome young members or have dedicated youth programs for developing public speaking skills.

Work Experience

Real-world work experience demonstrates responsibility and professionalism:

Internships

  • Local businesses, startups, or nonprofits
  • Banks, accounting firms, or financial services
  • Marketing or consulting agencies
  • Family businesses (with meaningful responsibilities)

Part-Time Jobs

Even retail or food service jobs develop valuable skills:

  • Customer service and communication
  • Time management and reliability
  • Cash handling and basic accounting
  • Teamwork and collaboration

Freelancing

Offering services independently demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit:

  • Tutoring
  • Graphic design
  • Social media management
  • Web development
  • Writing or editing

Financial Literacy and Community Impact

Teaching financial literacy to others demonstrates mastery and social responsibility:

  • Volunteer with financial education nonprofits
  • Create financial literacy workshops for peers or younger students
  • Start a blog, podcast, or YouTube channel about personal finance
  • Partner with local banks or credit unions on educational programs

Sample 4-Year Plan for Business-Focused Students

Freshman Year

  • Join DECA, FBLA, or similar business organization
  • Explore economics and business courses
  • Start a small side hustle or project
  • Begin tracking activities in our Activities Builder

Sophomore Year

  • Compete in DECA/FBLA events and aim for state competition
  • Start or join an investment club
  • Seek leadership role in one organization
  • Expand your side business or start something new
  • Look for summer internship or work experience

Junior Year

  • Run for officer positions in business organizations
  • Compete in investment competitions (Wharton GHSIC, etc.)
  • Apply to summer business programs (MIT LaunchX, etc.)
  • Grow your venture with quantifiable metrics
  • Start teaching financial literacy to others

Senior Year

  • Lead business organizations as president or top officer
  • Complete major projects and document results
  • Mentor underclassmen in business activities
  • Prepare compelling activity descriptions with metrics

Documenting Your Business Activities

When describing business extracurriculars, emphasize:

  • Numbers – Revenue, members, funds managed, events organized
  • Leadership scope – Team size, budget responsibility, geographic reach
  • Growth – How things improved under your leadership
  • Impact – People helped, problems solved, value created
  • Skills developed – Specific business skills you learned and applied

Finding More Opportunities

Ready to build your business extracurricular profile? Here's how to get started:

  1. Take our Find My Fit quiz to discover opportunities aligned with your business interests
  2. Browse our database of 1,700+ opportunities filtered by business and entrepreneurship
  3. Track your activities and metrics in the Activities Builder
  4. Know of a great business program? Submit it to help other students!

The most successful business school applicants don't just study business—they live it. Start creating, leading, and building today. Your future business career begins with the initiative you take right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What extracurriculars are best for business school applicants?

Top choices include DECA, FBLA, Model UN, entrepreneurship programs like LaunchX, stock market simulations, starting your own business or nonprofit, economics competitions, and business-focused summer programs.

Should I start a business in high school for college applications?

Starting a business can be highly impressive if it demonstrates genuine initiative, problem-solving, and measurable results like revenue or customers served. Even small ventures show entrepreneurial thinking that admissions officers value.

What competitions should economics majors pursue?

Consider the National Economics Challenge, Fed Challenge, International Economics Olympiad, DECA competitive events, stock trading competitions, and business case competitions offered by universities.

Are internships important for aspiring business majors?

Yes, internships at local businesses, startups, or financial firms provide real-world experience and demonstrate genuine interest. Even informal or unpaid internships show initiative and help you build professional skills.

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