Leaving Mississippi behind

Five Jackson State University seniors talk about their plans to pursue opportunities elsewhere

As graduation nears, Jackson State University seniors are preparing to leave the place they’ve called home for years while studying for their careers.

Though JSU has shaped their college experiences, it is now time to set their sights on new opportunities, and in many cases, that will be beyond state lines – a significant choice given Mississippi’s ongoing brain drain, which diminishes the pool of promising graduates in a variety of fields.

Between 2010 and 2020, Mississippi was one of only three states that actually lost population — 6,000 residents, many of whom were young people seeking better opportunities elsewhere. The population decline was not large enough to cost the state a congressional seat, which happened in 2000, when Mississippi’s modest growth was overshadowed by that of other states.

Five JSU seniors who will graduate in 2025 spoke with The Mississippi Independent about what prompted them to step into the next chapter of their lives elsewhere. They represent a small sampling of college seniors with departure plans at colleges and universities statewide.

For Antonio Handy, numbers have always made sense. As a child growing up in Jackson, he loved counting his allowance and helping family members balance their budgets. That early interest turned into a passion for accounting at JSU. Now, he is preparing to take his talents to Dallas, Texas, where he has secured a position with a major accounting firm.

“Leaving Mississippi is bittersweet,” Handy observed. “JSU has been my foundation, but I know this move will open doors for me.” Handy hopes to one day start his own financial consulting firm to help businesses and individuals build financial stability, and he found that opportunities in the financial sector were limited in Mississippi. Larger cities like Dallas offer stronger professional networks, higher salaries and a greater demand for accountants in corporate firms. It is, essentially, all about the numbers.

Christian Mannery has always been passionate about advocacy and policy. When he was growing up in Jackson, he was the one who debated family members at the dinner table, always looking for ways to make an argument stronger. With a degree in political science, he is now headed to Washington, D.C. to work as a legislative aide.

“I want to be part of the change,” Mannery said. “There’s so much work to be done, and I believe policy is the way to make a real difference.” During his time at JSU, Mannery has been involved in student government and community outreach initiatives, experiences that have prepared him for the fast-paced world of politics.

Leaving Mississippi is a big step, but Mannery sees it as a necessity for making an impact on a national scale. With limited opportunities for political careers in Mississippi that align with his aspirations, he sees relocating as the best way to make a tangible impact.

For Mannery’s brother Christopher Mannery, the future is about versatility and innovation. With a degree in interdisciplinary studies, he has developed skills across multiple fields, making him adaptable in an evolving job market. Christopher Mannery is relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, where he plans to pursue opportunities in corporate leadership and entrepreneurship.

“Mississippi has given me so much, but I want to see what’s out there,” he said, adding that his goal is to one day launch a business that creates economic opportunities for underrepresented communities. Leaving JSU feels like stepping into the unknown, but he says he’s ready to embrace the challenge. He wants to develop leadership skills and gain experience in corporate innovation—opportunities that are limited in Mississippi’s job market.

Carter Smith’s love for economics started with a simple curiosity: Why do markets behave the way they do? That curiosity grew into a passion, leading him to major in business economics. Now, he is preparing to assume a role as a financial analyst in New York City.

“It’s intimidating, but exciting,” Smith said. “New York is where the big players are, and I want to learn from the best.” Smith credits JSU for giving him the confidence to take on such a competitive industry.

Growing up in Mississippi, Smith said he never imagined he would end up in the heart of Wall Street, but is eager to prove himself and hopefully to bring his knowledge back to communities that need financial literacy resources. He hopes to use his expertise to organize workshops and partner with local organizations in Mississippi to promote financial education and help people better understand investments, savings and debt management.

Music has always been more than just melodious sounds for Christian Houghton—it’s been a way of life. Some of his earliest memories are of sitting in church, captivated by the choir, or watching his father play the piano at home.

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Houghton came to JSU with a dream of making music his career. As a music education major, he has spent years honing his craft, both as a musician and as a teacher. He has also been head drum major for JSU’s Sonic Boom of the South. Now, he’s moving to Nashville, Tennessee, to teach music while pursuing opportunities in the music industry. His ultimate goal is to become a band director, leading and inspiring the next generation of musicians.

“JSU nurtured my love for music, and I want to share that passion with others,” Houghton said.

Though he’s leaving Mississippi, Houghton hopes to carry the lessons he learned at JSU into every rehearsal room he enters and every performance stage he steps onto. He said his decision to move to Nashville is driven by his desire to pursue new opportunities in both teaching and the music industry.

All five students said their motivation to leave Mississippi is the desire for better opportunities, career growth and personal development. They expressed similar sentiments — that no matter where they go, their journey will be shaped by the drive to grow and succeed on their own terms, and that means relocating to areas that offer greater economic, cultural and political opportunities.

Gemal Duncan is a senior journalism major at Jackson State University. After graduation, he plans to pursue journalism opportunities in Dallas.

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Images: Christopher, left, and Christian Mannery; Christian Houghton performing as head drum major for the Sonic Boom of the South (both photos by Gemal Duncan)