Careers in Labor

Career Options with a Bachelor of Labor and Employment Relations Degree

A degree or minor in Labor and Employment Relations can be your springboard to a wide range of career paths and opportunities. Each degree or concentration provides students with a unique set of skills and perspectives that are sought after in a variety of fields. Your personal career goals can help you choose which path to take. 

A Labor and Employment Relations Bachelor’s degree or minor opens up a variety of career paths, enabling you to:

• manage people well whether you work for a corporation, government, or a community organization;
• apply knowledge of current issues like work-life balance or employee rights to your workplace;
• specialize in diversity, dealing with unionized employees, or other parts of employment relations;
• represent employees as a union leader or staff member;
• pursue an MBA after graduation—or a law degree, or a professional master’s degree in human resources or labor relations.

Career Options with a Minor or Concentration in Labor and Employment Relations

Specific concentrations or minors each open up different career opportunities as well. The following  lists illustrate examples of positions that are associated with different concentrations or minors. The Labor and Employment Relations Concentrations/Minors page can give you more detailed information on career paths associated with individual concentrations or minors.

As part of your undergraduate career research, we also encourage you to take the Senior Seminar. It is great way to explore opportunities in the career or careers that you are considering—and the further education that might help you in your quest.

Career Options with a Master of Labor and Employment Relations Degree

The Master of Labor and Employment Relations (MLER) degree program prepares students for professional employment relations careers in a variety of settings, including unions, corporations, government, and community organizations. Required classes and electives provide a broad-based multidisciplinary education in labor relations, organizational/social change, employee diversity, workplace justice, human resource systems, and the impact of the globalization on employees.

Many students attend part time in the evening and combine their studies with work that also helps advance their careers. The goal of the program is to produce graduates who are thoughtful professionals, informed leaders, and/or researchers grounded in the contemporary reality of work and employment relations.

Graduates of the master's program in labor and employment relations follow a variety of career paths.

Salaries of MLER Students upon Graduation

Employers include: