Student Participation in MECOP
The following schedule outlines how your university degree process would typically work should you be accepted into the MECOP/CECOP program as a student:
- Freshman year: Begin lower division course work at your university/college.
- Sophomore year: While completing lower division coursework, apply for MECOP.
- Most applicants apply during February / March of their Sophomore year (standard application window). See calendar for upcoming application deadlines. More information on this process can be found on the application page.
- All applicants must meet the minimum program requirements to qualify to interview for joining the program.
- Junior year:
- Begin upper division course work at one of our participating universities.
- Attend the MECOP student webinars to learn about the program and prepare for your internship.
- Attend the MECOP Company Expo during fall term. This normally occurs in the month of November.
- Interview for your first internship. Interviews typically occur in the month of January.
- Work for one of the MECOP companies during either Spring/Summer term or Summer/Fall term depending on your discipline.
- Senior year:
- Continue upper division course work at one of our participating universities.
- Attend the MECOP Company Expo during fall term. This normally occurs in the month of November.
- Interview for your second internship. Interviews typically occur in the month of January.
- Work for one of the MECOP companies during either Spring/Summer term or Summer/Fall term depending on your discipline.
- Fifth year: Complete upper division course work and graduate.
Events And Other Related Requirements For Participation
Student Webinar
The student webinars, sometimes referred to as 407 or the student seminar, is a required series of webinar sessions for all students new to the program. The series consists of a set of topics presented by MECOP staff and member companies on various topics relating to program participation. There will also be discipline specific student sessions held where students who have already been on an internship present about their experiences and answer questions from the new students.
Further details regarding this course, including dates and topics, will be made available to students accepted into the program.
Company Expo
The Company Expo, sometimes referred to as the Fall Event, is a job fair to give students and companies participating in the program the opportunity to interact before the Internship Placement Interviews. The purpose of this event is twofold: To give students time to interact with companies prior to placement and to give companies opportunities to narrow their pool of potential candidates. This event is required for each year a student is placed on an internship and is usually held in November.
As a part of this process, prior to the event, students will be required to have a placement profile completed and up to date. Reminders, instructions and deadlines regarding your profile will be sent out by the MECOP Office via email around the beginning of Fall Term (usually late September). Submissions are typically due by mid-October.
Further details regarding this event will be made available to students accepted into the program.
Internship Placement Interviews
The internship placement interviews, commonly referred to as "Placement", are scheduled throughout the month of January to assist companies with learning more about interns and deciding who to select for their internships. Interviews will be grouped into team rooms containing students in the same (or similar) disciplines.
Purpose of Placement Interviews: For industry representatives to interact and learn about students eligible for an internship following the Company Expo. They will be leveraging their knowledge of ongoing/potential projects within their organization and details from student profiles to formulate basic questions during the interview process. Their objective is to determine which candidates align well with the available work, considering factors such as students' interests and skillsets.
The Placement process is one of the key events which assures the continued success of MECOP. The goal of this event is to match every student with a company.
Further details regarding this event will be made available to students accepted into the program.
Internships
Internships will occur during your Junior and Senior years, typically during the times laid out on the Internship Timeframes page. Each internship will last about 6 months and will consist of work similar to an entry level professional in your degree. All interns will work with a mentor at their company. The mentor's role is to guide you through your internship.
As a part of each internship, you will be required to complete two internship appraisals with your mentor and complete a presentation and written report regarding the internship. The presentation you make will be presented by you to multiple representatives at your organization at the conclusion of the internship. If the company requests it, you may also be required to present said presentation to students attending the student webinar series.