Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program (MECOP)

The Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program (MECOP) began in 1978 as a collaboration between Oregon State University and Oregon-based manufacturing companies that hired engineering graduates. The program provides students with two six-month paid internships, giving them real-world work experience. For participating companies, MECOP provides access to a pool of well-trained potential employees, input into the university’s curriculum and stronger ties between faculty and industry. For the universities, the program helps bridge education and industry, and the industrial sites where students work serve as an extension of the universities’ laboratories. Initially focused on manufacturing, MECOP has expanded to include the mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering departments within the OSU College of Engineering, as well as the management information systems program in the College of Business. In 2000, MECOP added students from the mechanical engineering and computer science programs at Portland State University. OIT joined MECOP as a university partner in 2002, adding the Manufacturing Technical and Mechanical Technical disciplines.