Welcome to your gateway to high-impact experiences (HIEs) — immersive, hands-on opportunities that take your education beyond the classroom and into the real world. These experiences will help you apply what you’re learning in your courses, build an impressive resume, and connect with professionals in your field of interest.
By participating in HIEs, you’ll develop the skills employers are actively looking for, gain confidence in professional settings, and discover career paths you might never have considered.
“When you get involved with something early on, it gives you the confidence to expand your comfort zone.” —Tyler Wiersma, Director of High-Impact Experiences
1 in 3
Poole students study abroad.
30+
Student Organizations offer leadership opportunities.
40%
of Poole students participate in high-impact experiences each year.
Find Your Fit: HIE Options
Poole College offers dozens of opportunities for you to build the skills employers value while discovering your own strengths and passions. Select from experiences, as unique as you are, across four key engagement areas:
#1: Career Engagement
Build transferable skills and enhance your career development through the application of classroom knowledge in real-world settings.
Examples of Opportunities:
Student Organizations
Join one of our 30+ student orgs to develop leadership skills and industry connections.
Career Mentorship Program
Connect with industry leaders who provide personalized guidance. 100 students and 55 mentors participated this year.
“The Elevate Mentorship Program was key to landing my dream internship.”
Yvonne Mbugua
Class of ’25
#2: Scholarly Engagement
Pursue academic excellence through the exploration of concepts that enhance your business knowledge and problem-solving skills.
Examples of Opportunities:
Undergraduate Research
Work alongside faculty on cutting-edge business research.
Practicum Courses
Apply your skills to solve real business challenges through a variety of practicum courses offered that enroll nearly 300 students each year.
Independent Study
Design your own learning experience with faculty guidance.
“The hands-on work and the connections I’m building are exactly what I need to make my business aspirations a reality.”
Akhil Mitta
Class of ’26
#3: Community Engagement
Create positive social impact within organizations by immersing yourself in an environment that fosters teamwork and leadership skills.
Examples of Opportunities:
Living Learning Villages
Develop personal and professional relationships by joining the Impact Leadership Village or Albright Entrepreneurs Village.
“Through Business HIRE, I gained valuable experience while making a real difference in a community that needed business talent.”
Meredith Dellinger
Class of ’25
#4: Global Engagement
Develop new perspectives and responsible citizenship through cross-cultural experiences to make the world a better place to live and work.
Examples of Opportunities:
Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)
Virtually learn from faculty and study with students at international partner schools worldwide.
“Studying abroad in Australia, I built real skills in entrepreneurship while experiencing a new culture… and gained confidence I never knew I had.”
Sydney Felton
Class of ’26
How to Get Started
Poole College is ready help you get started! We recommend you follow these four steps:
- Explore Your Options: Review the four types of HIEs to find what matches your interests and career goals.
- Meet with Your Advisor: Discuss how to integrate HIEs into your academic plan.
- Meet with a Career Coach: Request an appointment with Poole College Career Services to explore which HIE opportunities best align with your intended career path.
- Connect with the Director of High-Impact Experiences: Reach out to the High-Impact Experience Office to help you explore the best opportunities for you.
Introducing: Poole Packways
Once you’ve selected your first HIE, we’ll help you create and build your own brand in Poole Packways. Poole Packways is designed to help guide you by providing structure and a way to track and showcase experiences in six important competency areas that the college and employers know are important.