To kick off the semester, Neenah and Eva welcome Jacque and Jacobi to share insights from their summer internships across the CPG, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. They discuss key learnings, challenges, and advice on overcoming imposter syndrome, finding community, and making the most of your summer experience.

In this episode, Neenah and Eva sit down with Seth Harris to share his insights on labor, employment relations, public policy, and the future of work. He discusses his vast experiences working in labor throughout three presidential administrations and how this has shaped his vision for the future of labor. He highlights his current work illuminating labor via blogcast Power at Work, which can be found at https://poweratwork.us/. If you want to hear the first-hand experience of someone who has served as the US Secretary of Labor, tune in to the podcast!

In today's episode, Eva and Neenah welcome Jen Tiner, the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of Highridge Medical. Jen shares insights into a day in the life of a CHRO and her journey to the role. She also highlights how labor and employment work vary across industries, company sizes, and countries. Whether you're dreaming of a C-suite role or just curious about the world of HR, this conversation is packed with wisdom and career-changing insights you won't want to miss!

In this episode, Neenah and Eva welcome Elizabeth Kerwin, a regional director of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and an LER alum. Elizabeth shares her journey to discovering her passion for public service and offers valuable advice for those interested in a similar path. She provides an insider’s perspective on the NLRB, walks listeners through a typical day in her role, and discusses how presidential administrations influence the board’s work. Tune in to explore what a career in the public sector really looks like!

In this episode, we’ll be discussing the annual LER TraveLER trip, an incredible opportunity for students to gain firsthand exposure to the HR field. This year’s trip took participants to Houston, Texas, where they explored various industries and connected with professionals in the field. Joining us are Kathy Chen and Connor Milton, two students who attended the trip. They share their experiences, including the different facets of HR they were exposed to, the alumni they met, and the key takeaways they’ll carry forward in their careers.

In this episode, Anthony and Amy sit down with Kate Friedman to discuss her journey into the energy industry, what sets it apart from other sectors, and her experience interning at an energy company this summer. Kate also shares how she adapted to life in Houston and built a sense of community. We also reflect on our time at LER, sharing key takeaways and favorite memories from the program. Be sure to stick around until the end for our final send-off and to meet the new hosts of the podcast!

In today's episode, we're joined by Jason Greer, MHRIR '02, the CEO of Greer Consulting, Inc., and widely recognized as "The Employee Whisperer." With his expertise in employee and labor relations, as well as diversity and inclusion, Jason shares valuable insights on the impact of an MHRIR degree and how to leverage it for career success. He also dives into the concept of "owning your brand"- explaining what it really means and offering practical strategies you can implement to start owning your personal brand today. Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

In this episode, Amy chats with Linda Larsen, Associate Director of Research, and Richard Benton, Executive Director of the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) about how CJI started, their passion for clean energy research, and the work their team is doing to support Illinois’ clean energy transition. Through research rooted in climate and economic justice, CJI envisions a clean energy future where workers and communities prosper. Tune in to hear more about the exciting work CJI is doing!

If you would like to learn more about CJI, visit their website: https://ler.illinois.edu/climate-jobs-institute/

Join hosts Amy and Anthony as they dive into the intricate world of where HR meets the legal system in this episode featuring Professor Michael LeRoy. A proud University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate, Professor LeRoy brings a wealth of knowledge from his law studies at the University of North Carolina and his experience teaching law courses at both the School of Law and the LER program at U. of I. We explore how HR professionals can adopt a legal mindset to better advocate for employees while navigating the complexities of compliance. Tune in as we unpack recent court rulings that are set to reshape employer practices and HR policies. Whether you're in HR, law, or simply interested in the evolving workplace landscape, this episode offers valuable insights into the crucial intersection of human resources and legal frameworks.

Loper Bright Case

Companies Claiming NLRB Unconstitutional

In today's episode, Anthony and Amy are joined by Daniel Echeverria, a summer intern at Abbvie who will be returning full-time after graduation, and Erin Melrose, MHRIR '23, who changed careers from teaching to HR, interned at UHG and is now in her first full-time rotation at the company. They discuss their journeys to LER, what drew them to the healthcare industry, and how working in healthcare differs from other sectors, particularly with healthcare professionals as your business partners and patients as your consumers in a highly regulated environment. Tune in to explore what a career in HR within a healthcare organization really looks like!