For decades The University of Southern Mississippi has produced vastly successful professionals who continue on to become doctors, lawyers, world travelers and designers. This year, the class of 2014 is no different.
In this day and age, the options are seemingly endless for young professionals. Southern Miss seniors are taking the world by storm. Many students are anxiously awaiting letters from graduate schools, beginning to pack up their apartments to head to a new city or country and spending time taking in what all their last four years at USM have taught them.

Therese Gratia, an international studies major, has applied to join the Peace Corps. Gratia is anxiously awaiting her invitation.

“I’ve wanted to apply for the Peace Corps since high school,” Gratia said. “My junior year of college, a retired PC volunteer spoke to one of my classes, and that’s when I decided I would definitely apply senior year.”

Gratia hopes to be accepted into the Peace Corps and to be placed in a Latin American country. During her time at USM, Gratia has taken many courses in Spanish and also traveled to Austria for study abroad.

Wyatt English, an international studies major, will be spending the summer at the happiest place on Earth. English was accepted into the Disney Internship Program. He applied after a cousin of his went through the program a year ago.

“Since I was close to graduating and still didn’t really have any idea what I wanted to do with my life, I decided to apply to Disney and see where that would bring me,” English said.

Kyle Barber, an international business major, has decided to spend the summer after his senior year traveling around the United States and Europe. Barber is kicking off his summer at Wakarusa, a four-day music festival in Ozark, Ark. He then plans to travel overseas to spend the remainder of his summer backpacking across Europe.

“I had the opportunity to study abroad in France while in school here at USM and it was probably the best decision I made while in school,” Barber said. “This reinforced my desire to travel more when I get out and maybe to find a job outside of the U.S.”

Amanda Pace, a speech and hearing sciences major, was recently accepted into the audiology program at LSU.

“I found out I was accepted to the audiology program at LSU (Health Science Center) when I was on a cruise for spring break,” Pace said. “I jumped at any chance I was able to get WIFI so I could contact my parents to ask if the mailman delivered the coveted envelope yet.”

Pace hopes to one day own and operate a clinic of her own after earning her clinical doctorate in audiology.

“I know it will be a tough road, but I believe I have what it takes to be Dr. Amanda Pace, Au.D.,” Pace said.

Southern Miss is bidding farewell to some of its best and brightest students. They have big dreams and are ready to get out into the real world and explore the possibilities available to them.