COLUMBIA--James Marlow was confident he could find a teaching job when he graduated from Benedict College in May.

Yet on Monday, the 26-year-old Marlow contemplated different career options as he stood among hundreds of his resume-toting peers at South Carolina's teacher job fair and realized that he may not get the chance to be in a classroom this fall.

Anxious job seekers gathered at the state fairgrounds to meet with school representatives from across South Carolina. The would-be teachers hoped to find openings even though state budget cuts have prompted districts to cut positions.

Despite tough economic times, teachers can find jobs if they're flexible with their location, said Ann Byrd, executive director of the South Carolina Center for Teacher Recruitment.

Also, math and science teachers, as well as special education teachers, usually are in demand in most places, Byrd said. "These are those subject areas that plague us year after year," she said.

Greenville County, which has eliminated about 300 teaching positions for next year, still was looking for Spanish and math teachers at the job fair.

"There really is a shortage of teachers, particularly in critical areas," said Lillian Flemming, an employment specialist with the district.

The tight job market has forced people to consider jobs in rural areas, which often have trouble recruiting teachers.

Jasper County Superintendent William Singleton, who said it's tough to compete with neighboring Beaufort County and Savannah schools, was offering up to $3,500 signing bonuses that require teachers to stay at least two years.

"Finding teachers is one thing; finding qualified teachers ... is another," he said.

Glenn Ridings, 36, of Elgin was offered a job to teach high school social studies in Marion District 1, which made him "a little excited and nervous." The recent Francis Marion University graduate said it would be difficult to relocate but that he wants to teach.

Officials from Allendale County schools, which were taken over by the state Education Department in 1999 because they failed to meet state standards, were excited about changes there and were hoping prospective teachers would be excited as well.

Like many others, Marlow was unsure where he would end up. He had hoped to teach high school English in Richland County.

For now, Marlow is hoping for any job but has applied to be a full-time substitute teacher or a teacher's aide just in case. "I'm aware of the budget cuts, so I know it's going to be difficult," he said.