Graduation is an exciting milestone, but for many Mississippi State University students, it comes with an added bonus—securing a job even before receiving their diplomas. According to the 2023-2024 First Destination Survey administered by MSU, 95% of university graduates find a job, continue their education, or enter service programs within six months of graduation. In some fields, the success rate is even higher, such as the College of Forest Resources, which boasts a 100% placement rate.
Daniel Grebner earned his degree in forestry with a concentration in wildlife management this month. In June, the Starkville native will move to Hattiesburg to begin his career at Weyerhaeuser, where he’ll assist with auditing logging crews to ensure compliance.
“The hands-on learning, especially with the summer field program, gave me the confidence to thrive in this industry,” said Grebner.
Like Grebner, more than half of MSU graduates remain in Mississippi. Others, like Hamilton, Alabama native Colton Hulsey, enroll from out of state and make Mississippi their home following graduation.
Hulsey earned his bachelor’s degree in forestry in 2024, and before completing his master’s in agribusiness management this month, he secured a job as fiber procurement coordinator at SDI BioCarbon Solutions in Columbus.
“SDI loves to support and partner with MSU,” said Katie Parker with SDI BioCarbon. “They always provide top-notch candidates for both internships and full-time positions. Colton was a great example of coming in as an intern and showing his grit, leadership and education. This ultimately led to a full-time position.”
In his role, Hulsey will oversee incoming wood flow, manage raw material inventory and visit logging sites to guide suppliers in inventory system use. It’s a job that requires strong communication and relationship-building skills—something he honed during his time at MSU.
“Networking is essential in this industry, and MSU gave me the foundation to excel in these areas,” Hulsey said.
There are countless stories like these among MSU graduates, but none stand out quite like that of Veronica List, a graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program who returned to the classroom at age 40 to pursue her lifelong dream.
“I’ve wanted to be a vet since I was three,” List said, recalling a vivid memory of her childhood when her cat surviveda rattlesnake bite. “I loved that there was a doctor for animals who also cared about people. That always stuck with me.”
Despite her passion, List initially put veterinary school out of her mind.
“I was told I’d never get in because I didn’t have a perfect GPA,” she said.
She earned a degree in biology from Temple University, followed by a master’s in forensics from the University of Florida. Her career took her to roles with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida and later with a tech company. Even with a demanding career, List found time to foster animals, volunteer at animal shelters and work as a technician at clinics.
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought an unexpected job loss, List’s husband encouraged her to take the time to think about her next move. A Google search introduced her to MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, or CVM.
“I told my husband, let’s give it one cycle, and if I don’t get in, we’ll move on.”
One try was all she needed. On the day she was accepted into the DVM program at MSU, the Florida native and her husband closed on 44 acres in Stateline. Now, she’s transforming a building into the rural community’s only veterinary clinic within 40 miles.
“My husband and I want to give back to Mississippi and our community because they have given us so much happiness and joy,” she explained.
As she prepares to open her clinic, List will work part time at Singing River Animal Clinic with MSU CVM alumni Drs. Katy and Craig Harrell, two mentors she met through the college’s Enhanced Clinical Practicum program.
“One of the things we love about Mississippi is the people. People here are kind and supportive. It’s not just a Southern thing—it’s a Mississippi thing,” said List. “Out of all the places I’ve been, Mississippi State genuinely cared the most about its students, and because of that, I feel like I got a better education.”
