Employee Spotlight: Sam Deschenes

For today’s New Hire Spotlight, we interviewed recent hire, Sam Deschenes. Sam is a Consultant with his M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Currently, Sam is working with clients with performance management, data analytics, and new technology integration. Outside of work, Sam enjoys being in nature, staying active, and working with his hands. Read on to learn more about Sam!

What do you do for fun?

I currently live in East Tennessee, where I am about 30 minutes away from the Smoky Mountains. I really enjoy nature and being outdoors. I do a lot of hiking and scenic driving. I also used to run half marathons a few years ago, so I have been trying to get back into that.

I have a Blue Heeler dog named Pepper, and she is quite a handful! She has a ton of energy, so I spend a lot of time walking her. Pepper was not socialized very much before I got her (from the Humane Society), so I have been teaching her to be friendlier with people and other dogs.

I also really like working with my hands. My parents recently moved, and I have been doing a lot of refinishing and refurnishing for them. A lot of what I do for work is on a screen, so it is nice to be able to step away to do something hands-on and physical.

What led you to I/O Psychology, and ultimately FMP?

I went to Auburn University, where I majored in Psychology and minored in Business and Philosophy. I knew that I was interested in Psychology early on in my academic career, but I was not interested in clinical or counseling psychology. Therefore, I tried to find a pathway that aligned with my interests. A professor advised looking into I/O Psychology, so I took a couple of classes, and things really clicked. After undergrad, I got my M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University.

A couple of my MTSU classmates work at FMP and recommended it as a place they thought I would enjoy working in. When I began researching FMP, it seemed like the work and culture were a good fit for me. The rest is history!

What projects have you been working on at FMP?

I am working with one team to reimagine our client’s performance management system, including the implementation of new initiatives. Part of the work entails understanding the policy implications of the performance management system, which requires a deep dive into the understanding of an organization and the way it works.

I am also in a support role for another client where I complete a variety of tasks, such as data analysis, new technology integration, and newsletter editing. This is fun for me because it allows me to learn a wide breadth of new things!

What do you enjoy about your current workload?

My main driver is my sense of curiosity. I have a pretty low threshold of interest, so I find most things interesting. It is fun for me to learn about my clients and the way they do things. There is just so much learning involved in my work, which is one of the reasons that drew me to this field. I am also excited to be able to flex my I/O muscles and utilize my degree.

Are there skills you are particularly looking forward to developing at FMP?

Specifically, I am looking forward to continuing to learn about performance management. I would also like to learn about dashboarding in Excel, which I do not have experience in yet.

More generally, I am interested in eventually supporting organizational and strategic initiatives (e.g., HR strategy).

What type of culture do you most enjoy working in?

I really enjoy FMP’s culture because it is very transparent and honest. I have also found that everyone has been super welcoming and helpful over the past few months. People are always willing to answer questions I have.

I also appreciate that people at FMP have an interest in life outside of work. There is an emphasis on work/life balance, and also an understanding that the balance differs between people.

Is there something you would like everyone at FMP to know about you?

I am always open to say hey and chat! And I love to learn new things.

Jessica Freim joined FMP in May 2020 as a Human Capital Intern with the AT&T COE working on organizational development and change management initiatives. Currently, she is earning her M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and enjoys living in an area with so many beautiful places to hike nearby. When she is not working or studying, Jessica enjoys cooking, exercising, and cheering on University of Alabama sports teams.

Alexis Roman