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 a 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
The Art Institute of Charleston	commercial photography, culinary arts, graphic design, interior design, web design & interactive media
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
ECPI College of Technology	medical assisting and administration, IT/networking and security management, computer electronics engineering technology
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
Trident Technical College	mechanical and electronics engineering, industrial technology, science and mathematics, nursing and culinar

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
• Carolina Film Alliance
• 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

The following occupations grew the fastest in the Charleston region from 2000-2007:

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

Source: U.S. BLS Wages & Employment by Occupation, 2007 survey