High-Impact Experiences (HIE) Programming
Your engineering degree from NC State is built on more than coursework. It's built in the field, in the lab, on a stage and around the world. High-Impact Experiences is the College of Engineering's commitment to ensuring every undergraduate has access to the experiences that shape not just what you know, but who you become as an engineer, and every dollar of your Engineering Enhancement Fee helps make that possible.
Five Pillars: Major Impact Work. Service. International Engagement. Research. Professional Development.
50+
Engineering Ambassadors selected annually
200+
Employers at the Engineering Career Fair
15+
Countries reached through Study Abroad and Alternative Service Breaks
Why This Matters
Research consistently shows that students who take part in high-impact experiences, internships, research, study abroad, and leadership roles report stronger career outcomes and a deeper sense of belonging in their field. That’s exactly why we are here to help you access opportunities within the five impact pillars in the College of Engineering.
Explore the Five Pillars
Work
Learn More About Work Opportunities
Service
Learn More About Service Opportunities
International Engagement
Learn More About International Engagement Opportunities
Research
Learn More About Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Professional Development
Learn More About Professional Development Opportunities
How to Get Involved
Not sure where to start? Here’s the fastest path in based on what you’re looking for:
| I WANT TO… | START HERE |
|---|---|
| Get real-world job experience | Work | Visit the Career Development Center and set up your ePACK profile |
| Attend the Career Fair | Work | Check engr.ncsu.edu/careerfair for dates and participating companies |
| Join a student organization | Service | Browse Engineering Student Organizations |
| Study or serve abroad | International Engagement | Start at Study Abroad or Alternative Service Break |
| Do research with a faculty mentor | Research | Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research |
| Represent the College as a student leader | Professional Development | Apply to the Engineering Ambassador Program or the Career Fair Planning Student Leadership Program |
| Attend a conference or competition | Professional Development | Contact your department’s undergraduate office (see directory below) |
Still not sure where to go? Reach out to your advisor, department or to the Office of Academic Affairs at [email protected] — we’ll point you the right way.
The Five Pillars
Every engineering student’s path looks different. These five pillars are where yours can start. Click any pillar to see the opportunities.
Work
Real employers, real experience.
Work puts you in front of employers before you ever apply for a job. Through the Career Development Center, the Co-op Program, ePACK, and the Engineering Career Fair, one of the largest of its kind in the country.
- Career Development Center — https://careers.dasa.ncsu.edu/gain-experience/internship-and-job-search/
- Co-op Program — (no direct link included; overview page: https://careers.dasa.ncsu.edu/overview/)
- ePACK — https://careers.dasa.ncsu.edu/using-epack/
- More Work opportunities— https://careers.dasa.ncsu.edu/
Service
A community of peers and a chance to lead.
Service connects you to a community of peers through Engineering Student Organizations spanning every discipline, plus leadership and civic engagement opportunities that extend your impact beyond campus.
- Engineering Student Organizations — Learn More and Get Involved Today
- Leadership and Civic Engagement — https://sle.dasa.ncsu.edu/
- Learn More About Service Opportunities
International Engagement
Engineering that crosses borders.
International Engagement takes your engineering education across borders, through Study Abroad, Alternative Service Break trips, and the College’s Global Engineer initiative.
- Study Abroad — https://studyabroad.ncsu.edu/
- Alternative Service Break — https://sle.dasa.ncsu.edu/civic-community/alternative-service-break/
- Become a Global Engineer — https://engr.ncsu.edu/international/
- More on International Engagement — https://studyabroad.ncsu.edu/
Research
Faculty mentors, real problems, real solutions.
Research puts you in the lab alongside faculty mentors, through the Office of Undergraduate Research, Summer Research Programs and REUs, and the College’s Centers and Institutes
- Office of Undergraduate Research — https://undergradresearch.dasa.ncsu.edu/
- Summer Research Programs and REUs — https://undergradresearch.dasa.ncsu.edu/find-a-research-internship/
- Engineering Centers and Institutes — https://engr.ncsu.edu/research/centers/
- More on research opportunities — https://undergradresearch.dasa.ncsu.edu/
Professional Development
Leadership, competition, experience.
Professional Development is where student leadership and technical growth meet. Apply directly to lead as an Engineering Ambassador or through the Career Fair Planning Student Leadership Program — or access funding for conferences, and competitions, through your academic department.
- Engineering Ambassador Student Leadership Program | Selected from across NC State’s engineering disciplines, Ambassadors represent the College at recruitment events, mentor first-year students as E 101/E 102/E 201 TAs, and extend the College’s reach to K–12 students. Applications open mid-fall semester and close in early January — check ePack for the current posting. Learn more about the Engineering Ambassador Program
- Career Fair Planning Student Leadership Program | Student workers dedicated to bringing the Career Fair to life for every NC State student and the greater community. The leadership team manages the companies attending the event to ensure they’re set up and ready to work with each student for the fall and spring career fairs. — Interested? Contact Ashley Battle
- Conferences and Competitions | Students have the opportunity to receive support to attend professional conferences, and compete in student design competitions that strengthen their engineering education and career readiness. Support has historically included: Professional and technical conferences aligned with your engineering discipline, Student design competitions, such as BAJA SAE, Formula SAE, and AUVSI SUAS, and more. Your college and department have discretion over what they fund, and each department manages its own budget and priorities. For more information about this opportunity, contact your deparment.
Your Next Steps
- Explore the five pillars above and find where your interests point.
- Talk to your advisor about how a High-Impact Experience fits into your academic plan.
- Contact your department for conference or competition funding — see the directory below.
- Apply directly for the Engineering Ambassador Program, Study Abroad, Alternative Service Breaks, or the Career Fair Planning Student Leadership Program. All are either direct-contact or application-based
Find Your Department Contact
Department Contact Directory
Department Contact(s) BME Naji Husseini, Subha Balasubramanyam CBE Emily Resk,Christiana Boyle, Danielle Riegel CCEE Jason Patrick, Ali Hajbabaie, Steven Welton, Ginger McGlamery CSC Sarah Heckman, Terri Moss ECE Sara Concini ISE Kanton Reynolds MSE Hillary Stone, Meghan Johnston MAE Mollie Khanna, Tina Sattler NE Lisa Marshall, Hope McCullough BAE Lacy Parrish PSE Julie Paradiso, Med Byrd TE Coming Soon
Eligibility for this specific funding depends on your program. Please check with your department to confirm your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Is the Engineering Enhancement Fee still supporting my professional development? Yes. For fee-paying students, the fee continues to fund a wide range of High-Impact Experiences across all five pillars—Work, Service, International Engagement, Research, and Professional Development—including study abroad, ASB trips, conferences, and competitions managed through your department.
Am I eligible for this funding?
Eligibility for enhancement fee–supported opportunities, including conference and competition funding, Study Abroad, Alternative Service Break, and the Global Training Initiative Certificate, depends on your degree program. Even if yours doesn’t qualify, reach out to your department anyway; other resources may be available.
Leadership programs like the Engineering Ambassador Program and the Career Fair Planning team are separate, application-based positions and aren’t affected by this eligibility.
Does this mean less money is available for students? No. The total investment hasn’t been reduced. It’s distributed across departments and student organizations, so the amount available to you depends on your department’s allocation and priorities. Connect with your department early in the semester to learn about available opportunities.
Why does funding go through my department rather than directly to the College? Departments are closest to your discipline, your conferences, and your career path. Your department and advisors are the best positioned to decide what to fund and to support you in getting there.
What happened to EYE?
The funding that supported EYE hasn’t gone away; it’s simply managed at the department level now, as part of the High-Impact Experiences model. Reach out to your department to learn more about how to get involved and which opportunities they support.
Accessing Funding
How do I request funding for a conference or competition? Contact your department’s undergraduate office to learn which conferences and competitions they already support, and how to get involved.
Can I get reimbursed if I pay for something before getting approval? No. We ask that students do not make purchases before receiving written approval from your department. Reimbursements are at your department’s discretion and are not guaranteed after the fact.
I’m in a student organization. Where do I go? It depends on your organization:
- Under E-Council, contact your E-Council advisor.
- Under ASCEND (AISES, NSBE, SHPE, SHPEtinas, SWE), contact your ASCEND Program contact.
- Advised by departmental faculty/staff, check with your department directly.
I’m not sure which category my organization falls under. What do I do? Check with your organization’s adviser first. They will be able to point you to the right next step.
What if my department says no, or I can’t get a response? Contact the Office of Academic Affairs at [email protected], and we’ll help point you in the right direction.
Study Abroad and Alternative Service Breaks (ASB)
What if I want to study abroad or go on an ASB trip?
- Study Abroad: Apply through www.studyabroad.ncsu.edu; complete the scholarship application to determine funding eligibility.
- ASB: Contact your trip leader and leadandengage.dasa.ncsu.edu/asb/. Partial airfare support may be available for College of Engineering students.
Student Leadership Programs
How do I become an Engineering Ambassador? Applications open mid-fall semester and close in early January. Learn more about the program →
How do I get involved with Career Fair Planning? Contact the program coordinator, Ms. Ashley Battle, with any questions.
Are the leadership programs the same as applying for funding? No. The Engineering Ambassador and Career Fair Planning programs are competitive, application-based leadership positions, separate from conference and competition support.
Conference and competition funding isn’t something you apply for directly; each department decides in advance which conferences and competitions it supports. If you’re interested in a specific opportunity, check with your department to see if it’s one they currently fund.
Still Have Questions?
Reach out to the Office of Academic Affairs at [email protected], or contact your department directly using the contact directory on the High-Impact Experiences page.