F&M Stories

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.

Sydney Dzenutis ’23

Major: Business, Organizations and Society

Major: Mathematics

Current role: Product development coordinator for the Baltimore Orioles

What did the first six months after graduating from F&M look like?

After a long job search in the spring semester of my senior year, I was honored to land a spot as one of four Diversity and Opportunity Fellows working with the Haslam Sports Group, which owns both the MLS soccer team Columbus Crew and the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. The fellowship was a rotational experience, so I spent the first six months with the Crew working in their marketing department before switching over to the Browns. I built upon my 2022 internship with the Boston Red Sox by gaining experience in ticketing, business solutions, corporate partnerships, game presentation and community relations. My responsibility grew by managing the day-to-day operations of the community relations department for a professional team.

By championing the efforts of the Crew in the community, I grew professionally and got connected to the community that I was now calling my new home! I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to that rotation than experiencing a playoff run and eventual MLS Cup Final win and Championship Parade! I am now working as the product development coordinator for the Baltimore Orioles, assisting in the development of promotional ticket sales and gate giveaway items to increase revenue.

How did your F&M experience prepare you for where you are now?

F&M helped further not only my basic knowledge of the business world, but also honed my ability to take on new challenges, learn on the fly and use multiple perspectives to solve problems. The pace of the sports industry is rapid, and plans can change on a dime depending on what happens both on and off the field. My experiences at F&M were so variable in topic — each requiring different skill sets — that they have helped me immensely in adapting to fit the needs of the moment. Balancing academics, athletics, extracurriculars, and on-campus jobs at F&M has helped me thrive in the often-hectic environment of sports!

“F&M helped further not only my basic knowledge of the business world, but also honed my ability to take on new challenges, learn on the fly and use multiple perspectives to solve problems.”

— Sydney Dzenutis ’23

How does your current path compare to what you envisioned in your first year at F&M?

Upon arriving at F&M I knew that I wanted to major in business, but I had no idea that it would lead me to the sports industry. Both of my parents are self-employed and successfully run their own business, so I always had a natural draw to the practical implications of having a solid business foundation. At the time I thought, and was proved correct, that majoring in business at F&M would give me a solid background in every facet of business to ultimately support whatever niche interest I wanted along the way. In my first year at F&M, I had dreams of running my own business, whether it be a cafe, fitness studio, etc. But the pandemic opened my eyes to the front-office side of sports, as the decisions being made by teams during that time period drew the front offices into the limelight more than ever before. I was immediately hooked on the potential to combine my love of being an athlete, and being part of a team, with my business degree to help accomplish something bigger than myself.

Looking back on your college search, why did you choose F&M?

I grew up in a very small town in Connecticut, and I knew from the get-go that I wanted a small school where I could engage with professors and other students easily both in and out of the classroom. As a first-generation college student, I knew immediately after coming to F&M that there were numerous support systems already built into the fabric of the school. I felt comfortable navigating the college space even without any older siblings or parents to lean on who had gone to college, and I never felt odd about going out of my way to ask for advice about classes, extracurriculars or careers!

I was also drawn to F&M because of its business, organizations and society major. I was looking at many other small schools, and it felt like I was going to have to sacrifice a business major to attend the type of environment I wanted—likely having to pursue economics as the closest form of business. What sealed the deal was staying overnight to meet all my future cross country and track teammates. My coach and future teammates welcomed me with open arms, and I felt like I had found a group of people that I immediately clicked with, and I can now safely say are an extension of what everyone on campus is like. I am so thankful that 17-year-old me decided to attend F&M, as it’s given me incredible memories and put me on the path to success!

Upon arriving at F&M, Sydney Dzenutis '23 said she knew that she wanted to major in business, but she didn't expect it to lead to the sports industry. Dzenutis said the pandemic opened her eyes to the front-office side of sports. "I was immediately hooked on the potential to combine my love of being an athlete, and being part of a team, with my business degree to help accomplish something bigger than myself," she said.

"The pace of the sports industry is rapid, and plans can change on a dime depending on what happens both on and off the field," Dzenutis said. "My experiences at F&M were so variable in topic — each requiring different skill sets — that they have helped me immensely in adapting to fit the needs of the moment."

Dzenutis was one of four Diversity and Opportunity Fellows working with the Haslam Sports Group, which owns both the MLS soccer team Columbus Crew and the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. "The fellowship was a rotational experience, so I spent the first six months with the Crew working in their marketing department before switching over to the Browns," she said. "I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to that rotation than experiencing a playoff run and eventual MLS Cup Final win and Championship Parade!"

In 2023, Sydney Dzenutis '23 was filmed for a senior spotlight feature for the F&M website and social media.

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