More than 5,000 Syracuse area college students can now call themselves alumni. Commencement ceremonies for Syracuse University, SU College of Law and SUNY ESF took place at the Carrier Dome Sunday. What lies ahead for graduates? Will they stay in the state? Our Iris St. Meran has more on their plans for the future.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- They came, they studied and they graduated.

Melissa Walcott said, "I don't even have the words to describe the feeling. It's just amazing, overwhelming and it's just wonderful to be around everybody, everyone to come together in the dome."

More than 14,000 people came together Sunday, for the combined commencement ceremonies for Syracuse University, the University's College of Law and SUNY ESF. Thousands of the graduates spent long days and long nights to walk across this stage. Much of what they're feeling was described as simply,

"It's bittersweet," said Dan Kaplan

That's because they'll be going their separate ways. A recent poll conducted by YNN and Marist College found 36 percent of young adults don't plan on staying in New York because the cost of living is so high. The future plans among Sunday's graduates were mixed.
"I'm moving down to New York City and going to be working for a magazine, so hopefully move up from there," said Kaplan.

John Barnhart said, "I'm actually moving tomorrow down to Washington, D.C. and I start work on Tuesday."

Some aren't quite sure, but the possibilities for what they hope to accomplish seem to be endless.

"My dream job, I think it's just to become an attorney or lawyer, maybe work in the international relations field," said Brikena Radoniqi.

Regardless of where they land, SU's Chancellor had these parting words.

"Congratulations Class of 2011, you'll go far," said Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor.