The Intern Experience | From Intern to Engineer

By Isaac Young, Controls Engineer, OIT MECOP Intern, 2025 (second from the left in the picture above)

I joined Concept Systems during my second MECOP internship while finishing my senior year as a computer engineering student at Oregon Institute of Technology. Over six months, I worked with engineers in both the Portland and Albany offices on a wide range of automation projects and that experience ultimately led to a full-time role after graduation. 

When Engineering Started to Feel Real 

The first time it really felt like I was contributing as an engineer was when people started asking me for help. I had multiple moments where engineers came to me with ladder logic questions or system challenges they thought I might know more about. That was when it clicked! I wasn’t just learning anymore, I was contributing. 

Another big moment was going on-site by myself for the first time. I had been on-site before with senior engineers, but being trusted to complete work independently was a big step and helped build confidence in my abilities. 

Learning Through Project Variety 

During my internship, I worked on approximately nine projects and proposals, including safety systems, camera and vision applications, pump systems, robotic work cells, retrofits, and certifications. That variety is one of the things I enjoyed most about the role. 

I was exposed to a lot of new technology in a short time — PLCs, ladder logic, HMIs, proposals, and system design. More than any single skill, my overall knowledge grew quickly because I was constantly learning something new and applying it right away. 

A Project That Pushed Me 

The most challenging project I worked on was a condensate pump system for a university in Washington. It was my first time programming a Micro800 PLC from scratch and working closely with pumps and motor starters. 

Commissioning the system was where things really got challenging. There were wiring issues, pump problems, and software bugs that only showed up on-site. Working through those issues taught me a lot about troubleshooting and how real-world systems behave outside of theory. 

From Intern to Full-Time Engineer 

I always wanted to have a full-time job lined up after school, and it worked out that I really enjoyed this internship and that Concept Systems was interested in hiring me. 

I like the variety of the work and being able to go on-site to see projects come together. I also felt welcomed right away and comfortable asking questions to anyone on the team, which made a big difference. 

So far, my mindset hasn’t changed much from intern to full-time engineer, but that’s because I was already being treated like an engineer during my internship. 

Investing in Early-Career Engineers Through MECOP 

Concept Systems has a long-standing partnership with the MECOP program, which provides students with extended, real-world engineering experience while allowing companies to invest deeply in mentorship and development. 

Many Concept Systems engineers begin their careers through MECOP internships, including Isaac. This approach benefits both the intern and the company. Students gain meaningful, hands-on experience, and Concept Systems builds a strong pipeline of engineers who are already familiar with its projects, standards, and culture. 

By integrating interns directly into project teams and hiring from within, Concept Systems continues to invest in developing engineers for long-term success in industrial automation.