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Poole College students on a boat in Australia

High-Impact Experiences

High-impact experiences empower Poole College students to redefine what's possible—turning classroom knowledge into career-shaping opportunities.

Real Experience. Real Impact.

At Poole College, high-impact experiences aren’t just add-ons—they’re a trademark of our commitment to ’empower students for a lifetime of success and impact.’

Research shows that students who participate in high-impact experiences see stronger academic performance, clearer career direction, expanded professional networks and higher job satisfaction.

From study abroad programs to real-world consulting projects, our students gain practical skills that set them apart in the job market.

Our vision is clear: every Poole student should complete at least one high-impact experience before graduation.

We want our students to graduate with a diploma — and a resume.

Frank Buckless

Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Dean

What Makes an Experience High Impact?

High-impact experiences are immersive, hands-on learning opportunities that build skills through reflection, mentorship and collaboration. Key elements include:

Real-World Application

Put theory into practice through hands-on experiences that solve business challenges and build professional skills.

Guided Mentorship

Develop your potential through structured professional and faculty mentors who provide ongoing feedback and career development support.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Learn teamwork through experiences that foster open communication and cross-functional collaboration—driving better business outcomes.

A group of Poole College students at a 2024 Sales Case Competition.

Your Path: Unlimited

At Poole College, high-impact experiences are your pathway to professional growth and personal discovery. Select from experiences as unique as you are—spanning local to global, full-time to flexible—all aligned with your goals, schedule and interests. We offer diverse opportunities across four key engagement areas:

  • Career Engagement: Build professional networks through internships, corporate mentorship programs and professional student organizations.
  • Scholarly Engagement: Deepen academic knowledge via practicum projects, case studies, research and independent studies.
  • Community Engagement: Connect with fellow students through living and learning villages and community-impact projects.
  • Global Engagement: Broaden perspectives through study abroad programs, global internships and international exchange programs.
“Taking part in undergraduate research was without a doubt the most rewarding experience during my time at NC State… and allowed me to develop the skills I needed to jump straight into co-founding TSV Analytics after graduation.”
Aiden McCarthy
B.S. Business Administration, ’21

Ready to learn more?

For questions, reach out to Tyler Wiersma, Director of High-Impact Experiences at Poole.

Investing in You

The Kreisler Family’s transformative gift established a high-impact experience fund and distinguished professorship at Poole College. This investment enables students to engage in real-world opportunities early in their college careers through the guidance of our first Director of High-Impact Experiences, Tyler Wiersma.

Pictured: The Kreisler Family, Nevin and Amy, with daughters (left to right) Madison and Ansley.

The Kreisler Family: Navin and Amy, with daughters Madison and Ansley