The Charleston job market is better than ever with employment growing twice as fast as the national average. In fact, Forbes includes Charleston among its "Best Places for Business and Careers" (April 2007), particularly noting area job growth. The local visitor and healthcare industries are thriving, and community leaders have joined forces to advance five other high-growth sectors: the biosciences, aviation/aerospace, advanced security, automotive and creative industries.

Businesses in Charleston are eager to hire the world's best and brightest. The following online tools will direct you to current job openings in the Charleston area:

• Charleston Digital Corridor Talent Portal
• Charleston Job Network
• Post and Courier Employment Classifieds
• South Carolina Employment Security Commission

With more than two dozen college and university campuses, the Charleston area has numerous opportunities for pursuing an additional academic degree, brushing up on current trends in your field, or exploring new areas of interest.

Area businesses are actively involved with many local institutions to help continually shape and expand the programs of study offered. Partnerships also exist between business and faculty for applied research and product development activities.

Charleston area colleges and universities include:

College / University	Specialty Areas
American College of the Building Arts	architectural metal and stone, carpentry, masonry, plaster working, timber framing
The Art Institute of Charleston	commercial photography, culinary arts, graphic design, interior design, web design & interactive media
Centura	medical billing & coding, massage therapy and medical assisting
Charleston School of Law	full-time and part-time courses of study leading to a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree
Charleston Southern University	aerospace studies, information sciences, mathematics, engineering, and business administration
The Citadel	business, computer science, civil, environmental, electrical & computer engineering, biochemistry and physics
College of Charleston	liberal arts, information technology, environmental studies, marine biology, mathematics, accounting, public administration and others
Clemson Architecture Center	urban design and fabrication, architecture and landscape architecture
Clemson University Restoration Institute	Research in advanced materials, processes and systems, community revitalization, historic preservation and paterials conservation, renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, and restoration ecology
ECPI College of Technology	medical assisting and administration, IT/networking and security management, computer electronics engineering technology
Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University	professional aeronautics, aeronautical science, aviation maintenance, technical management, aviation safety, logistics
Limestone College	computer science, business administration, psychology, criminal justice, and liberal studies
Lowcountry Graduate Center cooperative effort of The Citadel, the College of Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina, Clemson University, and the University of South Carolina	electrical engineering, computer science, communication, business administration, and educational leadership
Medical University of South Carolina	medicine, nursing, health-related professions, pharmacy, dental medicine and graduate studies
Miller-Motte Technical College	medical assisting, surgical technology, therapeutic massage, sterile processing, criminal justice, paralegal studies, cosmetology, health information technology, management and international trade
Park University	computer science, criminal justice, health care management, human resources management, psychology
Southern Illinois University	workforce education and development, education and training
Southern Wesleyan University	business administration, management, education
Springfield College	human services
Strayer University	accounting, business, health services administration, information systems, and public administration
Thomas Edison State College	accounting, sociology, architectural design, criminal justice, focus on special needs of military personnel wherever they are stationed
Trident Technical College	mechanical and electronics engineering, industrial technology, science and mathematics, nursing and culinary
Troy University	criminal justice, human resources management, management, business administration, public administration, international relations, education, computer science
University of South Carolina Extended Graduate Campus	international business, business administration, human resources, accounting, economics
Voorhees College	criminal justice, organizational management
Virginia College	international business, business administration, human resources, accounting, economics
Webster University	business administration, management, information technology, human resources, and counseling

Other South Carolina educational resources

In addition to the graduates from local colleges and universities, the Charleston region is a destination of choice for many graduates of Clemson University and the University of South Carolina at Columbia (both within 200 miles).

College / University	Specialty Areas
Clemson University	engineering, agriculture, forestry and the life sciences, computer studies, electronic arts
University of South Carolina	business, engineering, information technology, science, mathematics and international business

Local professional associations can provide excellent insight into career opportunities in the area. If you're already here and know of an association to add to our list, please email Karen Kuchenbecker.

• Advertising Federation of Charleston
• American Institute of Architects, South Carolina Chapter
• American Marketing Association, Charleston
• Association for Information and Technical Professionals, Charleston Chapter
• Association of Operating Room Nurses
• Charleston County Bar Association
• Charleston County Medical Society
• Charleston Defense Contractors Association
• Charleston Trident Association of Realtors
• Charleston Trident Home Builders Association
• Charleston Women in International Trade
• Charleston Young Professionals
• Maritime Association of the Port of Charleston (MAPCHA)
• Port of Charleston Propeller Club
• Public Relations Society of America, South Carolina Chapter
• South Carolina Association of CPAs
• South Carolina Association of Personnel and Staffing

The following occupations grew the fastest in the Charleston region from 2000-2008:

Rank	Occupation
1	Computer and Mathematical
2	Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
3	Personal Care and Service
4	Architecture and Engineering
5	Business and Financial Operations
6	Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
7	Community and Social Services
8	Office and Administrative Support
9	Healthcare Support
10	Legal
11	Sales and Related
12	Food Preparation and Serving Related
13	Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
14	Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
15	Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
16	Protective Service
17	Production
18	Transportation and Material Moving
19	Life, Physical, and Social Science
20	Construction and Extraction
21	Education, Training, and Library
22	Management

Source: U.S. BLS Wages & Employment by Occupation, 2008 survey 12/2009