Do you remember your high school career day? Why is it that career fairs in college are so much more stimulating and interactive with numerous company representatives, individual attention and, of course, swag? Obviously, there is a level of recruiting at the college level geared toward graduating seniors entering the workforce, but there must be at least some value to reaching kids earlier than college. It works for athletic programs, why not academics?
Author Archives: Charlie McKenzie
Sealevel often fields a co-ed softball team to participate in a local league. This year was no exception as we were able to recruit quite a number of Sealevel employees for the team. The league is fairly competitive, and we are fortunate to have enough athletes on the Sealevel payroll to field a solid team most every year.
Whether you’re a Clemson Tiger or a USC Gamecock or anything in between, it only requires a few minutes in the presence of Coach Dabo Swinney to understand that his goals at Clemson extend much further than those achievable on the playing field inside Death Valley. Dabo’s vision at Clemson is one that has been mirrored by the O’Hanlan family here at Sealevel for the last 25 years.We have continuously contributed to the betterment our community through charitable giving programs designed to assist those in need. One of the most recent programs to receive local support from Sealevel and Clemson University is The Family Effect. In fact, both Dabo Swinney and the Sealevel president, Ben O’Hanlan, now serve on the board of directors for the non-profit organization.
In my opinion, the inclusion of nicknames adds to the small company, family-like atmosphere from which Sealevel was derived and continues to maintain. They help to create a more personal feel throughout the workplace when used properly as terms of endearment between one another. The use of nicknames helps to create an environment of camaraderie and solidarity within Sealevel Systems, and I am certain that even our president, Tom “Big T” O’Hanlan, would not disagree!
The most dangerous “underdog” is one that does not completely understand the meaning of the term. As the new head basketball coach of the newly formed 11-to-12-year-old boys’ basketball team – better known as the Liberty Bulls — I formed an assistant staff with two long-time friends and Sealevel co-workers. We began preparation for our first practice which was only two days away. We went into the season with a sink or swim mentality as players and coaches, but we refused to simply tread water by accepting anything less than attainable excellence.


