I think a one-year-old dog can stay home alone for a normal workday.
I know some breeders and some rescues make a big deal of dogs "not being alone all day"...but the reality is that many, many people out there don't have the luxury of working from or at home. Now, I'm a teacher, and so for a few months of the year I do have that luxury, and I can tell you that, on the days when I'm home...the dogs are pretty much sleeping all day anyway.
I do think the fact that we have four dogs helps. Dogs are social animals, and they do like the presence of another animal. Not that they play all day or anything, but just the comfort of the other one "being there" has an effect. Even a cat can be a good companion to a dog, if it's the right combination, of course.
Some people are able to arrange it so that the dog has a doggy door leading to a safe area outside. The doggy day care is an option, too, but check out the place carefully. Concerning a poodle specifically, be sure you're thinking of the grooming aspect, too. Either you have to do it (time, skill), or you have to have someone else do it (money) on a regular basis.
You're to be admired for thinking ahead so far; a lot of college-aged people get animals and don't think about the future *life* of those animals, just the present fun of the having. (Guilty as charged, by the way; as a college student I got a cat when I lived in a pet-free dorm, a chinchilla, and a couple of other unsuitable-for-the-college-life animals.)
Take care, and good luck in all your future endeavors!
--Q
P.S. fjm was posting the same time as me--she brings up tons of very good points!