At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), every student has the opportunity to gain hands-on experience as part of their undergraduate journey. Through The Arch, you will connect your studies with meaningful professional, research or global experiences that prepare you for what comes next.
After completing your first year at RPI, you will take part in two required components:
Career development course: This course helps you explore career paths, build professional skills and prepare for your semester experience. You’ll receive guidance on résumés, interviews and goal setting, so you’re ready to make the most of your opportunities.
Semester experience: Next, you will complete a semester-long learning experience, with a minimum of 260 hours. This experience is flexible and designed to match your interests and career goals.
You can choose from several options, all open to students in any major:
No matter which path you choose, The Arch ensures you leave RPI with experience employers value.
100% of RPI students graduate with real-world experience.
You won’t navigate The Arch alone. RPI’s Experiential Learning Team provides dedicated advising and support to help you choose, prepare for and complete your experience — from career coaching to academic planning.
Yes. The Arch is designed so every undergraduate student gains hands-on experience as part of their RPI degree.
Students can participate in The Arch any time after their first year, once they have built a strong academic foundation.
Yes. You can choose from several experience options, including internships, co-ops, research, civic engagement, study abroad or a self-designed experience aligned with your goals.
Many Arch experiences are paid, especially co-ops and internships. Research and other options may be paid, for credit or volunteer, depending on the opportunity.
Yes. RPI provides advising and support to help you explore options, prepare applications and successfully complete your experience.
