Student Opportunities & Outcomes

Academic Experiences & Real-World Outcomes

A College of Charleston education is designed to help students successfully navigate their journey from college to career.

Through rigorous academics, hands on experiences and employer connections, our graduates leave prepared for whatever comes next.

The Charleston Advantage

More than just a beautiful place to study, Charleston is a city where students begin building their professional lives.

Some graduates launch their careers right here in a growing regional economy, while others take their experience, skills, connections and College of Charleston pride and spirit and succeed in cities and industries across the country.

With strong academics, real-world experience and a dynamic professional environment, the College of Charleston prepares students for successful transitions, whether they choose to venture out or stay right here.

• #3 Prime Age Labor Force: Charleston ranks as the #3 mid-sized metro for young workers, enhancing internship opportunties and job possibilities upon graduation. (U.S. Census Bureau)

• #5 Tech Employment Growth: Charleson ranked 5th among the nation’s metros for net tech employment job growth in 2024 (CompTIA’s 2024 State of the Tech Workforce).

• #6 Best Places to Start a Career: Charleston ranked #6 in WalletHub's best Places to Start a Career based on 25 metrics ranging from the availability of entry-level jobs to the average monthly starting salary to housing affordability (WalletHub, 2025).

Experience With Outcomes

Experiential learning is a core part of how the College of Charleston prepares students for life after graduation. These opportunities ensure students graduate with experience, direction and confidence.

Internships

Whether it's working assembly line robotics at Volvo, flying high with the Philadelphia Eagles or digging deep into history in Charleston's abundant archives, museums and historical sites, our interns gain professional experience with leading companies and organizations in Charleston and across the country.

 

Charleston growing industries in aerospace, logistics, medical, automotive, software/IT and hospitality provide students with meaningful opportunities with many supported through the Career Center's employer network and exclusive internship listings.

Research

Research experiences help students build the critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills employers consistently value. 

Students work closely with faculty mentors on projects that address real-world challenges, from healthcare innovation to environmental sustainability.

Research experiences also strengthen graduate school and career readiness. In fact, 80% of employers say they're more likely to hire candidates with research experience.

Co-ops

Cooperative education programs allow students to integrate academic study with extended, paid professional expereince. Through co-ops, students gain deeper exposure to their chosen industry while building professional credibility and making meaningful contributions in real workplace settings.

Our recent co-op sites include Bosch, BMW, Disney, Michelin and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).

Field Experiences & Practica

Field experiences and practica give  students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in professional environments before they graduate. These structured experiences help students clarify career goals while gaining practical skills employers expect.

 

From clinical plancements and archaeological fieldwork to performance and production work, students graduate with hands-on experience, a stronger résumé and greater confidence in their next steps.