January 22, 2014

ILR Alumnus Returns to University From Department of Labor

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By ALISHA FOSTER

After nine years doing what he describes as “running a 17,000-person, $85-billion corporation” as Deputy Secretary of Labor, Seth Harris ’83 returned to Cornell Wednesday as a Distinguished Scholar at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

In this role, Harris will be co-teaching Disability Law and advising students one-on-one and in group presentations about government careers. In his first presentation next Wednesday, he will discuss his experience working for the government and offer advice for finding success in the field.

“I’ve had a lot of experience helping folks to find jobs in my field, and so I want to impart to them the knowledge that I’ve collected over the years and help as many ILR students pursue the job that they most want,” he said.

As Deputy Secretary of Labor, Harris was responsible for overseeing the department’s day-to-day operations, which included overseeing wage and hour standards, unemployment benefits and reemployment services, among others. He had previously worked in the Labor Department under the Clinton Administration, where he co-authored an executive order that was designed to increase the employment of people with disabilities.

Harris ’83