Carp fishing in a local pond?

I’m going to a fishing clinic on Saturday and last time we were there there was carp jumping out of the water a lot.The fishing expert there left a pole out to sit to see if he could catch a carp.Well after a while one took the bait but broke the line.I’d like to try catching one but I have 8lb line on my rod and have never tried for carp.Should I even bother trying or will they just break my line or rod?