Corporate Scholarship Spotlight: BP

BP and The School of Labor and Employment Relations have a long-standing relationship providing Corporate Scholarships to LER students and providing meaningful summer internship and career opportunities to students. This relationship began with Amoco and continued through that organization’s merger with BP in 1998. Many LER alumni through the years have held leadership roles in both organizations.

“BP enjoys the successful partnership we have built with LER Students over the years.  Our industry is ever evolving and presents many unique challenges to our HR team.  The LER students we have hired display the unique HR capabilities and behaviors we require to help lead our business,” says Brad Weilbacher, US Downstream Recruiting Manager. “The students we have employed as interns and full time employees have been successful in adapting to working in the different operations at BP, whether they are work with Traders on our trade floor or Operations Superintendents in our Refineries they have displayed the professional skills we require for success.  We look forward to our continued partnership with Illinois and the LER students.”

One of the 2016 BP Scholars is Mary Kate Bryant, who started her MHRIR at LER in January. She was an Illinois undergrad with a double major in Psychology and Spanish, including a study-abroad in Barcelona, Spain. She boasted two internships and extensive research experience before entering LER, and is interning this summer with The Boeing Company in Seattle.

"I chose LER because of its excellent faculty and reputation. I knew LER would provide me with an education to set me up for success in my future career. At LER, I feel that I am apart of a community inside and outside of the classroom," reports Bryant. "I am extremely grateful to be sponsored by such a well-known global company in BP. Their generosity has allowed me to pursue my goal of continuing my education."

In addition to scholarship support for students, BP is an active employer of interns and alumni. Patrick Zahren, pursuing his MHRIR at LER, will be interning at BP this summer, and Katie Stephan, MHRIR/MBA 15 has started her career with BP.