Megan's Learning Curve
Taking a Swing at the HRD program
How I stepped up to the plate
Following my undergraduate degree, I wished to gain further knowledge and skills in the field of human resource development. Hoping to be better equipped to enter the workforce, I began my Master's in Educational Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University in the Spring of 2015.
Rounding First Base
EHRD 603
Applied Theoretical Foundations of HRD
HRD Metaphor Assignment
Coming into this program I only had a generic idea of HR from the classes I took in my minor. This was the first class I took in the program and it created a foundation for my own personal theory of HRD to grow on throughout the remaining semesters.
After gaining a broad understanding of HRD, we were given a metaphor assignment and tasked with describing our views following the information learned in this course. I chose to use a microphone as a metaphor of HRD. This concept in based on my theory that HRD is used to improve and empower individuals. When they "speak up" into the HRD microphones it creates responses and results to improve organizations as a whole.
EHRD 613
Career Development in HRD
Career Development Intervention
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This class was taken during my first semester during the program. Coming into the program with only an HR minor and no professional experience, I did not have much knowledge of component of HRD. This subject has a lot to do with talent acquisition, succession planning, as well as coaching and mentoring. Besides training, this personal aspect of developing people based on their career goals has become a passion of mine. I want to make a difference and provide my positive motivation for others. Through this facet of HRD, I can promote great growth environments for organizations and it is something I hope to pursue following this program.
Outplacement Job Aid
For this assignment, I chose the career development intervention of outplacement. This intervention exists in organizations where employees have been laid off Outplacement consultants help members with resumes and assist them in obtaining new jobs. I chose this intervention because I think it has a large future in the HR industry as organization grow their cultures to be employee-centered.
EHRD 612
Training & Development in HRD
Team Training Program
This class provided an introduction into one of the three major HRD components, training and development. Not realizing it then, this is one of the subjects in HRD that has peaked my interests. Over the course of the semester, we were able to discover different training methods and how they affected training delivery methods and outcomes.
My team project consisted of implementing a hypothetical training program for a company wishing to launch a new customer chat feature for their company website. Using the ADDIE model, we created a platform to launch a training program for the company's employees.
EHRD 625
OD & Performance in HRD
OD Intervention Project
During the course of this class, we were assigned an on-going group project. My group reached out to a non-profit organization based out of Houston called Coalition for the Homeless. Due to lack of resources available for non-profit organizations, we decided to base our project on developing recommendations for OD interventions based on their frequent organizational changes. As a team, we gathered information for a diagnosis, collected data throughout the organization, and analyzed results. This was a great opportunity to work on a real-world change intervention project.
OD Professional Interview
In efforts to gain more real-world perspectives, a peer and I chose to interview and OD professional in attempts to understand challenges and general job functions. My partner for this project works for Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and put us in touch with Jasmine Aquino. At the time of our interview, Jasmine was tasked with developing employee engagement as a part of their recent organizational changes. In addition, we gained insight into her leadership program developed for management.
Turning Second Base
EHRD 614
EHRD 627
EHRD 627
Strategic Planning in HRD
High Performing Organizations
Competition amongst organizations is ever-growing and the need for a competitive advantage is apparent. As a group project, we identified Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service as an HPO and examined organizational practices that contributed to their strategic plan. Needing to collect both qualitative and quantitative date, we formulated a questionnaire for distribution and conducted interviews with company executives. Once the results were analyzed, we provided recommendations for helping organizational members grasp the idea of their strategic plan and suggested strategic initiatives for future development.
Personal Strategic Career Plan
After learning more about strategic planning, I was able to envision a strategic plan for my own future endeavors. Over the time frame of the next 5 to 20 years, I was envisioned the role I want to play and the impact I wish to have, personally and professionally.
Research & Development in HRD
Article Critique​
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This class gave some insight into the importance of research that I would later also discover in EHRD 690. This class took the meaning of research to another level by showing us how to evaluate and critique other works. With the ability to critique, we were able to gain an understanding about what research methods would prove to be more beneficial in certain situations.
EHRD 618
Evaluation Models in HRD
Evaluation- Cheddar's Restaurants
HRD has a never-ending need for improvement. This course introduced the importance of evaluation through these five leading types: needs assessment, program design/delivery, performance outcomes, impact assessment, and efficiency/ROI. Through a group contact, we were able to evaluate Cheddar's Casual Restaurants. Our study was based on the end goal of implementing a program that would improve employee engagement and retention, as well as increase customer satisfaction. This was based on the organization's goals of outstanding team member performance.
Cheddar's Project Presentation
The final requirement of this project was to create a presentation based on our evaluation findings of Cheddar's Casual Cafe.
EHRD 690
Theory of EHRD Research- STAT 1
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Prior to taking this course, I was unaware of the role statistical analysis plays in the field of HRD. Without taking a statistics course previously, I was nervous about the content and learning platform of this class being facilitated through distance education. This is actually the only class I chose to experience in a face-to-face delivery method.
Rounding Third & Heading Home
EHRD 624
Change Theory
Change Theories of Organizations
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After taking organizational development, this class dove a little deeper into the theories of change management within organizations. Becuase theories are ever-changing to keep up with change demands, they are always being tested by OD practitioners. I chose to write about a culture change within Yahoo! Inc. Trying to keep up with the IT world, Yahoo! underwent the change of a new CEO in attempts to keep up with Key players such as Google and Facebook. I enjoyed this assignment and through my knowledge of change theories I was able to analyze the actions of Yahoo and determine how they could have improved.
ALEC 617
Leadership, Culture & Ethics
Corporate Culture Analysis
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This was probably one of my favorite classes. I really enjoy the leadership side of EHRD as well, so I have enjoyed many classes from the Ag Leadership department during my time at A&M. Outside of grad school, I own my own Mary Kay business and I was able to write and analyze their ability to maintain a culture worth recognizing for many years. I enjoyed sharing my insights with my class and professor.
For my final assignment, I chose to do a culture analysis over my mom's employer, Allstate Insurance. With the help of her personal insights, I was able to identify their cultural rituals and practices. This is going to be a major asset to me when I am deciding on a job. Culture is very important and HRD recognizes the need to put employees at the forefront of any organization.
EHRD 630
Adult Learning
Megan's Learning Curve
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The topic of adult learning has fascinated me! I enjoyed this class so much that I chose an elective to further my knowledge on this topic. One of the first assignments in this class was to create a visual representation of your learning experiences. In this power point, you will find my life experiences that have resulted in different types of adult learning ranging from transformational to self-directed.
Self-Directed Leadership Analysis
Prior to this class I never reflected on my learning and leadership efforts. Often times we become so routine that we miss out on our achievements and just keep going. This assignment allowed me to discover how much my knowledge from this program has been implemented in my life. I self-direct myself daily to improve in my business, my education, and myself.
ALEC 610
Principles of Adult Education
Adult Education Philosophy
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After taking adult learning the summer before, I chose this elective as an additional learning experience in my final semester. This class could not have been at a better time. As I prepare for graduation and start the job search, I have found it beneficial that I reflect on my knowledge and capabilities as an adult learner.
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This assignment is a representation on my reflections about adult learning, how it differs from pedagogy, and best practices to facilitate adult learning environments. After learning the information, we were given a group and tasked with facilitating a type of adult learning. Our group was given transformational learning and had a week to facilitate a mini-lesson to the rest of the class. We found this to be the most difficult because transformational learning is the most timely.
EHRD 681
Seminar
Program & Profesional Portfolio
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I have spent my final semester preparing to fulfill the final requirement of my master's program, this portfolio. Looking back, I was amazed to be reminded of all my work and the knowledge that was covered in this program. As you can see by this portfolio, I have prepared myself to tackle any HRD obstacle in my future career endeavors.