LBJ Early College High School was selected by AT&T as a collaborator in its partnership with Distributive Education Clubs of America.

The collaboration is part of AT&T’s efforts to help students connect what they learn in class to future careers, which aligns with the DECA mission to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

Students visit AT&T work sites and are mentored by employees to learn about business practices and teamwork. The mentors guide students and teach them how to apply their learning to competitions through realistic role-play and writing.

Another aspect of the AT&T collaboration with LBJ is to provide students with support to participate in DECA conferences and competitions across the country.

The grant funding will provide assistance for DECA membership fees, travel costs, hotel stays and food.

“Many students in the LBJ community work after school and on weekends, so the partnership with AT&T really enables our students to be involved in DECA and leadership on campus without hurdles such as extensive fundraising,” LBJ Assistant Principal Randy Bryant said.

“It would be great if we could add a work-study component to the program as well to bring the program 360,” Bryant said.

The AT&T-DECA project began in January 2015 with five pilot states, which included Texas. Each school in the program is required to schedule a minimum of two AT&T visits to the school and one visit to an established AT&T work site each semester.