Human Resources & Industrial Relations Experiential Learning
Build Your Resume as You Study
Experiential learning runs through the MHRIR program. Your faculty bring cases, guest speakers, and applied projects into the classroom. Plus, the Human Capital Lab, a signature experience of the program, puts you to work with a real organization on a real HR business opportunity. The Center for Human Resource and Labor Studies connects you to the world-class business community, providing pivotal beyond-the-classroom learning. You'll gain practical, hands-on experience and develop the skills that help modern HR leaders drive results and advance their careers.
Human Capital Lab
Positioned at the center of the Twin Cities business community, Minnesota Carlson connects you directly to the companies and projects that transform coursework into valuable skills and experience.
The Human Capital Lab is a signature experience of the program. This 4-credit course is where you will partner directly with an organization on a high-stakes business opportunity.
Your team will assess an organization’s strategy, research and analyze the data, design working prototypes, and develop actions ready for implementation.
The experience will prepare you to contribute as an HR business partner from day one, giving you an edge in turning a job in HR into a career.
Skills You'll Put to Work
- Executive presence: Learn to partner with executive business leaders and effectively collaborate as a trusted advisor.
- Applied HR strategy: Design practical interventions to real business opportunities, within the constraints of a real organization.
- Project leadership: Scope complex initiatives, align stakeholders, and take a project from idea to implementation.
Every MHRIR graduate completes the Human Capital Lab, proving that they can deliver results.
Past Clients & Projects
The Human Capital Lab partners with organizations across industries, including retail, energy, financial services and public agencies. Past clients include Best Buy, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Xcel Energy and Thrivent.
Develop Your Leadership Capabilities Beyond the Classroom
The program focuses on experiential learning. Through the Human Capital Lab, case competitions and the HR Tomorrow Conference, all run by the Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies, MHRIR students gain experience beyond the classroom.
The Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies (CHRLS) convenes organizational leaders with expertise in people and work. Through the CHRLS you'll find networking opportunities, mentoring and programming that supports your career.
Experience real-world leadership before you graduate. Put your degree to work in a high-stakes, cross-functional business challenge. Sponsored by the Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies (CHRLS), this competition brings together graduate students from across Carlson's top programs to tackle complex, time-sensitive organizational problems.
GVC is a student-run group of Carlson MBA and MHRIR students who provide free consulting to Twin Cities nonprofits. You'll do real consulting work for organizations that need it, build your portfolio, and support the community while you're at it.
Mentorship Program
Learn from someone who's done the job. The CHRLS Alumni Association pairs MHRIR students with alumni mentors from November through May. You'll kick off virtually in November, meet monthly and connect at CHRLS events like the Annual Alumni Breakfast, HR Tomorrow and the Speaking of Work speaker series.