Heather Moreau is currently the Program Manager for Human Dimensions of Organizations (HDO) at The University of Texas at Austin, but she did not transition into this role until after graduating from the HDO Program in 2023. Heather’s deep connection to the program and its impact on the people in organizations was the catalyst for her transition from student to employee. “The idea of continual exposure to both the concepts I loved learning about—and the amazing facility that are the thought leaders on how organizations can function better—were the key motivators that drew me back,” she explained. Heather also continues to work as a part-time organizational consultant. She entered into consulting after working in law firms for about twenty years, where she developed skills around resolving conflicts, building collaborative teams, and implementing effective leadership strategies. Now, Heather applies her prior work experiences and her knowledge from being a student in the HDO program, to the program itself.
Heather’s capstone project embodies both personal passion and professional rigor that defines HDO Master’s Program. Reflecting on her project, Heather shared, “As a consultant, I specialize in personality assessments and sought to evaluate whether the product I represented truly offered valuable insights for individuals in the workplace and for organizations looking to make an impact. It was important for me to ensure that these assessments provided valid and reliable outcomes, rather than simply reflecting the marketing claims often found in sales literature. Therefore, I titled my project ‘The Role of Personality Assessments: What’s the Real Deal?’ to explore this critical question.”
Motivation and Career Transition
Thinking about her journey to find HDO, she shared, “I was in the middle of a career transition. I had spent years as a paralegal and then moved into law firm management, working in both HR and operations for about eight years. I reached a point where I needed another change. I started consulting, but felt I needed something more.”
This uncertainty pushed Heather to explore leadership programs, which ultimately led her to the HDO Master’s Program. “I stumbled upon HDO and immediately got off the fence about going back to school. The program resonated with me—the combination of liberal arts, leadership, and organizational development just spoke to what I was looking for.” This clarity marked the beginning of her transformative journey through the program.
The Value of Diverse Perspectives
One of the program’s standout features for Heather was the diversity of work experiences within her cohort. “I learned so much from my fellow cohort members. It was a style of learning I hadn’t encountered before. As an undergrad, I was used to the traditional lecture format where you listen and take notes, but this program brought some of the richest discussions I’ve ever had in my life.”
Heather recalled a particularly mind-blowing moment when a fellow student challenged her to rethink her problem-solving approach. “There was one student who thought completely differently from me. I’m very process-oriented and think step-by-step, but she approached things in a way that was the opposite. I remember struggling with something on my capstone, and she asked me the most direct, blunt questions. That conversation completely evolved my thinking to something more creative.” This diverse exchange of perspectives helped Heather break out of her traditional mindset and grow unexpectedly.
This environment of rich, diverse discussions extended beyond the classroom. Heather noted that even after graduation, many alumni maintain these connections, often reflecting on how much they missed the intellectual camaraderie.
Faculty Impact: Guidance and Support
Heather’s journey through the HDO program was deeply shaped by the support and guidance of the faculty. She fondly recalled an early interaction with Dr. North, who taught the individual perspectives course. “I remember telling her, ‘I’m not remembering everything, and I’m really worried about it.’ Dr. North reassured me, saying, ‘You’re not supposed to remember everything. The goal is to connect ideas and evolve your thinking.'” This supportive approach, focusing on understanding over memorization continued to have a lasting impact on Heather, shaping her approach to decision-making.
She recalled another pivotal moment during her capstone semester when a death in her family made her question her ability to complete the program. “We had an in-person writing session on a Saturday, and a number of the faculty were there. I was really doubting whether I could even graduate. At that point, I was struggling, but they gave me such insightful advice, especially around redefining failure.” The faculty’s support helped Heather navigate the final pieces of her capstone research. “In the most supportive, human way, I was able to be vulnerable… And just in that moment, it spun my thinking enough that I knew I would graduate and obviously did.”
The Power of Networking
Heather’s networking experiences during the program were another significant aspect of her HDO journey. Heather emphasized the openness and supportiveness of the HDO community. For example, she connected with a few alums of the prior cohorts to “bounce ideas off of them.” There is a genuine web of connections that bring people and ideas together.
Reframing Perspectives through Problem-Solving and Leadership Strategies
The HDO program significantly influenced Heather’s approach to organizational problem-solving. “It’s kind of cliche now because we say it so much in the program, but HDO provides the language and the lens for deeper understanding. Some of it wasn’t necessarily new, but it was really about forming connections from one idea to another. She explains that “HDO was able to reframe my thinking and give me a new way to talk about old problems from another perspective.” Heather appreciated the program’s adaptability, allowing her to delve deeper into areas of particular interest. “Anything that was particularly advantageous for me to dig a little deeper in, I had plenty of opportunity to do that.”
The program also played a crucial role in enhancing Heather’s leadership skills. She highlighted how specific classes and experiences had practical applications in her professional life. In my consulting role, “I facilitate with organizations on Team Dynamics… and I’ve been able to integrate the study of constitutions into these facilitations.”
Heather also praised the liberal arts focus of the program, which provided a broader context for understanding and addressing organizational issues. “During intensive week, we did a little study of art… another thing I do is mediation and conflict resolution, so like with art, I can take that idea that we’re all looking at the same thing and yet see things differently. Now let’s pull that into the workplace problem.”
Flexible Learning Options
Heather found the program’s flexibility essential, particularly as a working professional. “I wanted to attend in person. That was one of the things that was just really important to me when I was looking at programs, and yet having the option to attend online from anywhere was also key. If I was traveling for work, I didn’t have to miss class because there was the remote option.”
Advice for Prospective Students
Heather’s journey through the HDO program was not without challenges, and she offers valuable advice for prospective students. “My advice would be to really be self-aware. Going in, know what your stressors are because when we’re under juggling multiple priorities, those natural tendencies that may not actually be the best solution often become what you automatically do. If you know where you are likely to get bogged down, you can help make a plan to avoid getting too far off track beforehand.”
She shared her personal struggle with perfectionism. Self-care, not doubling down on always finishing an assignment as she had intended, ended up being a key for her success.
Conclusion
Heather admitted that she had no clear expectations going into the program but was pleasantly surprised by its impact. “The program more than met my expectations. It challenged me in ways I never anticipated.”
From enhancing professional skills and fostering meaningful connections to providing invaluable faculty support and flexible learning options, the HDO program offers a comprehensive and enriching educational journey. Heather’s story serves as an inspiration for prospective students, illustrating the profound personal and professional growth that the HDO Master’s program can facilitate.