ROSEBURG, Oregon – Umpqua Community College (UCC) students who are interested in an opportunity to get paid while going to college are invited to attend a special event. On Friday, march 8, a MECOP/CECOP Lunch & Learn is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. in HNSC 201/202.

MECOP/CECOP is a cooperative work experience program for business, computer science, engineering, GIS, and surveying students. The program includes two, six-month internships for transfer students during their junior and senior years. Students will make enough with the internships to pay for most of their college expenses during their junior and senior years while gaining valuable work experience. In most cases, the students are offered full-time jobs from the companies providing the internships.

MECOP is a non-profit organization that is largely run by volunteers. The program was established in the late 70s and has provided students with job opportunities, income, experience, and job fairs. Partnering schools are Oregon State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University, and University of Portland.

Just two years after it was formed, MECOP accepted seven students into their program. Since then the growth has grown grown tremendously, with more than 650 engineering students were placed into internships in 2018.

UCC students can apply for the program the year prior to transferring. The deadline for the application is March 31 at midnight. The percentage of applicants receiving internships varies from around 50% to 100% depending on the discipline. In years past UCC students have done exceptionally well in the application process.

Pizza and drinks will be provided at the Lunch and Learn.

About Umpqua Community College

Nestled in the beautiful North Umpqua River Valley, Umpqua Community College is the regional center for higher education in Douglas County, Oregon. UCC provides high quality college degree programs, workforce development, and community learning opportunities.

Contact

Clay Baumgartner
Chair, Associate Professor, Engineering / Surveying / Forestry & CIS
Phone: 541-440-4683