Getting Involved in BPA Changes Your Life

Erin Finley, Ohio Association Secretary

Business Professionals of America has been what I would call, a life changing experience for me. I started out my junior year with no idea what BPA was. All I knew was, my teacher came in talking about some competition that we had to compete in, in January, and if we did well, we’d make it all the way to Nationals, which happened to be in New York that year. Course, I was intrigued by the chance to go to New York, but I had no confidence in myself making it that far in any form and soon BPA was out of sight out of mind. Then one day my teacher comes back talking about the leadership side of BPA and mentions a chance to be a Regional officer. Although I didn’t think I’d get a position, I made the attempt and ran anyways. Getting up in front of a room full of 40sih people I didn’t know, to give a speech, was a very difficult thing for me to do. But to my surprise, I was elected President by my peers, and my adventure through BPA was launched.

            My junior year I got to experience a little bit of just about everything in BPA. I was a Regional officer so I got to experience what it was like to be in front of many people at once, and make new friends from other schools I’d never had met if I hadn’t gotten that chance. I also got to attend both the State and National Leadership Conferences. I made some friends that year that I still even have today. This year, my senior year, I got the opportunity to become a State Officer and it has meant the world to me. It’s given me more confidence then I ever thought I could have. If I had been told three years ago, that I’d get in front of nearly two thousand people and give a speech and not fall on my face, or have a panic attack, I’d say you were crazy. But today I happily can believe it. I have to, I was there.

            Because I took the time to get into BPA, I reaped the benefits it can bring you. I stand a little taller today and am proud of what I have accomplished. BPA can do the same for you! Whether it be through leadership, competition, or Torch Awards, BPA has something for you. You can compete against others in your area or even across the nation and compare your skills with theirs. You can participate in Torch Awards and find a realization that you’ve done many things throughout your time in BPA. It can help you write future resumes and even applying for college. You could also choose to go about the leadership route and find confidence in you that you never knew you had. You can even do all three and reap the benefits of all the things BPA can bring to you. The choice is yours. Business Professionals  of America has got it, and I know you’ll love it!