F&M Stories
Success Beyond F&M: ‘I Was Drawn to F&M’s Unique Liberal Arts Approach to Business’
The tremendous success of F&M graduates demonstrates the tangible value of an F&M degree. At F&M, we have an exemplary landing rate. Within six months after graduation, 93% of F&M’s Class of 2023 were either employed or furthering their education.
In this series, we check in with members of the Class of 2023 to learn more about their post-graduate path and how their F&M experience launched them toward success.
Alysse Danyi ’23
Majors: Joint Studies (Business, Organizations and Society and Public Policy) and German Language & Culture
Pursuing: Juris Doctor at Villanova University
What did the first six months after graduating from F&M look like?
After graduating from F&M, I had an enjoyable summer celebrating graduation with family and friends, taking a few vacations, and working. Then, I moved to the Main Line and started law school at Villanova University in August. My first semester of law school was the most transformative period of my life, as the law school curriculum is completely different from undergrad and incredibly challenging. However, I also met amazing friends, got involved in extracurriculars quickly, and immediately felt welcome at Villanova!
How did your F&M experience prepare you for where you are now?
My incredible professors, my research experience in the business, organizations, and society (BOS) department, and F&M's rigorous liberal arts education prepared me well to critically analyze policy issues and formulate credible, convincing arguments (even when I disagree with the position I am assigned to defend), both of which are important skills for learning and applying the law. I was also involved in several extracurricular activities at F&M, and the time management that I learned from balancing various activities at once has prepared me well to manage the dense workload in law school.
“My incredible professors, my research experience in the BOS department, and F&M's
rigorous liberal arts education prepared me well to critically analyze policy issues
and formulate credible, convincing arguments…both of which are important skills for
learning and applying the law.”
— Alysse Danyi ’23
How does your current path compare to what you envisioned in your first year at F&M?
When I was a first-year at F&M, I did not have a clear career path in mind. I did know, however, that I was excited to learn about and seek experiences relating to business, government, and public policy. I also knew that I wanted to get involved in service-oriented activities and pursue leadership positions on campus. My current goals are similar, as I am now pursuing a legal career with aspirations of working in public interest and/or business law. I will gain my first real public interest experience this summer as a legal intern for the City of Philadelphia’s Commission on Human Relations.
Looking back on your college search, why did you choose F&M?
One reason why I chose F&M was because of the BOS major. I always knew I wanted to study business in college, and was drawn to F&M’s unique liberal arts approach to business. F&M also gave me the opportunity to study public policy and German as a joint and double major. Another reason I chose F&M is because I loved the Lancaster area and felt right at home on F&M’s campus. Finally, I chose F&M because I was recruited by Coach John Stoudt to run cross country and track, and when I met him and the team I knew immediately that I wanted to be part of the team’s competitive, yet supportive and welcoming, environment!
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