Student Spotlight
Jared Woullard
Jared Woullard of Leakesville knows it鈥檚 people and relationships that have made all the difference in his life.
A high school teacher and others in his life at that time were the first to open his eyes to career possibilities.
聽鈥淟ooking and seeing that there are different things in this world, different people, different ways of looking at life, I鈥檓 interested in that,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey did that for me.鈥
Later, after graduating from Jones College, Woullard had lunch with an architect who helped him discover his passion.
鈥淲e had this conversation, and he started talking about things that really ignited my excitement and interest鈥攆inding solutions to problems, but also creating beautiful things for people. I鈥檝e always been interested in that, and I was like, 鈥榃ow, I really want to be involved with this. I really want to do this.鈥欌
With the support and encouragement of his godfather and mentor, Woullard decided to take the steps to change his major and apply to the School of Architecture at Mississippi State. Now in his fourth year of studio study, he has no regrets.
鈥淚鈥檓 turning 25 in a month; I鈥檓 still in school, and I鈥檓 OK with that because I鈥檓 doing something that I genuinely like. I have learned skills that are going to last me an entire lifetime because I was willing, and I had the courage to say, 鈥淵ou know what? I鈥檓 ok with starting over. I鈥檓 ok with doing something new and doing something way out of my comfort zone.鈥欌
Woullard said he found renewed motivation recently when his mother, his 鈥渟uperhero and biggest influence,鈥 went back to college and finished after pausing to raise her four children.
鈥淭hat right there shows me that I can do anything,鈥 he said. 鈥淛ust because certain things come in your life, and they may prohibit you, don鈥檛 be scared of the time limit,鈥 he said.
Woullard鈥檚 advice to others? Don鈥檛 let opportunities pass you by.
鈥淥ur life is based on decisions. If you think too much, you never move forward,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 have traveled, I have been awarded, I have done work for amazing firms, and I have seen amazing things that I probably wouldn鈥檛 have seen if I didn鈥檛 make the decision. Architecture has been the biggest fulfillment of my life.鈥
叠测听Christie McNeal聽on聽February 23, 2024