QUESTION: What’s different about the kind of jobs available in Columbia?
ANSWER: One of the things that makes Columbia different is it is the state capital, so there are opportunities to work in state government in addition to local and federal government agencies.
Also, you have the ability to work in higher education, not only because of the University of South Carolina but because of Columbia College, Benedict (College) and Allen (University). It’s a college town.
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Then you have this third component of people at Fort Jackson. It employs a tremendous number of people.
QUESTION: How should job-seekers adjust their expectations?
ANSWER: It depends on where the job-seeker is coming from. If you’re coming from New York City, what an administrative assistant gets paid in New York City is quite different than what would be paid in the Midlands, because the cost of living is lower here.
QUESTION: How should they value job offers?
ANSWER: They need to look at the complete package. It can’t be just looking at the salary. They have to look at 401(k) contributions the company might make. Health care is a big issue today. Your salary might look great, but if your company isn’t paying for that, how much are you netting?
QUESTION: What’s different about the culture?
ANSWER: This is a community that is very much part of the South. It’s very important for people to be polite and use their manners — to say “thank you,” ‘please” and even “yes, sir” and “yes, ma’am.” I’ve seen it make or break people.
QUESTION: How can people make contacts here?
ANSWER: It depends on your area of interest. In PR, you have the Public Relations Society of America. There are plenty of opportunities for people to network through organizations that have similar interests and values to those you may have. If you are a religious person, through your church, synagogue or temple, there are opportunities to network and learn about positions that way. Networking is not a bad word; it’s just reality.
— Jim DuPlessis
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