High-Impact Experience Student Spotlight: Ben Cole

For many students, college is about more than just academics; it’s a time to dive into experiences that shape both personal and professional growth. Poole College senior Ben Cole, who is set to graduate in December with a business administration degree, has taken full advantage of his time as an undergraduate student by immersing himself in high-impact experiences that have set him on a path toward future success.

One of his most notable achievements? Serving as the vice president of event operations for the NC State chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) and leading the planning and execution of the 6th Annual Regional Conference.

For Cole — who now serves as the chapter’s VP of finance — this was more than just another student activity. It was an experience that merged his passion for learning with his desire to develop as a leader. Organizing a major event like the AMA conference required planning logistics, managing a team, securing sponsorship, and ensuring the event provided value for attendees.

“I was motivated to take on this role because it was a chance to lead a significant project that aligned with both my passion for learning and my desire to hone leadership skills,” Cole explains.

He saw the conference as the perfect opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to a real-world event while also providing a platform for students to network and grow. The complexity of the project, combined with goals like raising funds and boosting attendance, made it stand out among other opportunities available to him.

A typical day for Cole while planning the conference involved coordinating with committee members, checking in on their progress and ensuring that tasks were completed on time. He was in constant communication with sponsors, students and vendors, always keeping an eye on the details while thinking ahead to the big picture.

“As the event day approached, my days were filled with handling logistics and solving last-minute challenges,” Cole recalls. This juggling act taught him lessons in time management, delegation, and adaptability.

By the time the event was over, Cole had not only met but exceeded his goals. The conference saw more than double an increase in revenue from the previous year and attracted nearly 100 attendees from across the region. More importantly, Cole walked away with a set of skills and experiences that he can now carry with him as he finishes his undergraduate degree and launches his professional career.

During his time planning the AMA event, Cole sharpened hard skills like fundraising, sponsorship negotiation and project management, while also developing soft skills in leadership, conflict resolution and professional communication. His confidence in public speaking and networking with high-level professionals, including sponsors and keynote speakers, has set him up for future leadership roles both in and out of the classroom.

“Embrace the challenge … and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.”

A key mentor during this experience was Eric Blaser, an executive from Liine, the company that sponsored the business case competition. Blaser’s insights into AI technology in the healthcare industry and his entrepreneurial  journey gave Cole a fresh perspective on business and leadership.

“His involvement gave me a deeper understanding of what it takes to build a successful company,” Cole shares.

Looking ahead, Cole plans to take the lessons he learned during this high-impact experience and apply them to his coursework and career. He’s now more confident in his ability to lead projects, manage teams and build relationship skills that will serve him well as he steps into a professional world.

His advice for other students considering a similar high-impact experience?

“Embrace the challenge, recruit a strong team and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone,” he says. The growth that comes from managing a complex project is worth the effort.”