From the moment she began studying labor and human resources at Renmin University, Dr. Yuanyuan Sun knew she wanted to delve deeper into the systems that shape workplaces. After earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, she set her sights on the University of Illinois, a place that would become central to her academic and professional life.
From the moment she began studying labor and human resources at Renmin University, Dr. Yuanyuan Sun knew she wanted to delve deeper into the systems that shape workplaces. After earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, she set her sights on the University of Illinois, a place that would become central to her academic and professional life.
Yuanyuan arrived at Illinois to pursue her PhD in the School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER), drawn by the program’s strong national reputation and multidisciplinary research focus. The breadth of expertise among LER’s faculty, spanning nearly every area of human resources and industrial relations, made the program a perfect fit.
“The well-rounded curriculum gave me a powerful foundation for both research and teaching,” she shared. That foundation would carry her through the following stages of her career.
During her doctoral studies, Yuanyuan explored a wide range of research topics, including human resource strategies, compensation systems, and incentive design. Over time, executive compensation and corporate governance emerged as her primary focus, a topic she continues to investigate today.
Her dissertation advisor and committee members played a pivotal role along the way, offering mentorship that she credits as essential to her growth as a scholar. Their guidance helped her publish her dissertation research independently, a milestone that shaped her confidence and academic identity.
After completing her PhD, Yuanyuan stayed at Illinois briefly as an instructor at LER before joining the University of Minnesota Duluth as an assistant professor. Two years later, she returned to Illinois once again, this time to teach in the Department of Economics, a move that felt like both a professional advancement and a personal homecoming.
Looking back, Yuanyuan describes her time in the PhD program as transformative. “It sharpened my ability to think critically, reason logically, and tackle complex problems with curiosity and creativity,” she said. More than anything, the experience deepened her love for research and teaching — passions that continue to drive her career.
For those considering the LER PhD program, Yuanyuan offers heartfelt encouragement:
“Pursuing a PhD is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Embrace the journey — every challenge will make you wiser, more resilient, and more passionate about discovery. LER provides rigorous academic preparation and meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth.”