LIFE™ PROGRAM GOALSCasey “Seaweed” O'Connor

My Biography

Hi, my name is Casey O’Connor and I am 24 years old and I go to Coastal Carolina University LIFE™ Program. This is my third year at Coastal. I am a junior this year, and I have three internships at the Hackler Golf Course, TV station, and Kimbel Library. I live with my parents in Murrells Inlet. I am now living at the residence hall at Coastal with Gabe, Aaron, and Edward. I really love being at Coastal because I can talk with my friends who I love. I want to find a good paying job someday, play my dad’s band and get married. Also I want to have my own TV show or work at a gym.

Why am I in the LIFE™ Program To become more independent

Groom and care for myself Learn to live on my own Work on going to places on my own

To become a great time manager Get up on time for school Go to bed at a reasonable time Manage my own time

To become self confident Learn to not stutter when speaking in big groups Work on being more confident when approaching new people Learn to look people in the eye when speaking

Independent Living GoalsIndependent living Career Goals To listen and focus on completing a task when in class and at work To work on responding quicker when asked a question I am working on shaving and combing my hair daily I am working on getting up on time for school I want to work on being more confident in meeting new people I am working on not stuttering in front of larger groups of people I want to work on saving $10 dollars a week towards getting my own place I want to work on my checklist so that I can walk on campus on my own I want to work on practicing my blues harmonica 3 hours a week with my dad’s

band

Career-Related Goals I am working towards getting a good paying job by getting different work

experiences I am saving $20 a week working at the library to put into savings I want to work on being more independent on work tasks and asking

questions when needed I want to work on learning more about moving the cameras at the TV

station to help with filming Coastal Today

Progress on Personal Goals

Resolved goal April 2011 to work on staying alert when in class I have made progress shaving and combing my hair daily I am still working on getting to class on time I have accomplished goal to be more confident in meeting new people April 2012 I have made some progress not stuttering as much in front of large groups of

people I have made progress saving about $20 a week and walking around campus more

on my own I have made practice playing my blues harmonica twice a day on the weekends I made progress gaining work experience by working in the library, working at the

movie theatre, interning at General Hackler Golf Course and Media Services I am still working on tasks more independently and asking questions when

needed

What are my Attributes Creative

I like to make crafts and draw pictures using my imagination. I would use my creativity to make my own dance.

Caring I take care of my family and friends when they are not feeling

well. I try to make people around me feel good. Smart

I want to work on focusing on my work and to listening to my teachers and do what they say.

What I like to do?

Read mysteries Staying busy with Miracle League and

Special Olympics Meeting new people Performing with my dad’s band I like to have my own space Spending time with close friends Tell jokes from the Three Stooges Sing songs in my head Doing chores around the house Acting in Acting for the Non-Major Class

What do I like About Being in the LIFE Program?

Going to college All of my new friends Being independent on campus Working at the Golf Course Learning new stuff like finding an

apartment on my own Working at the TV station Going to different activities on

campus

Career Aspiration: Sales Associate at a Gym, Golf Shop or Recreation Center

Serving the needs of our customers is our top priority Organizing and displaying merchandise to company

standards Set up new displays Help in departments of the store as needed

First Internship: Kimbel Library

I am a student assistant at the library. I check out books and DVDs for the customers. Also I greet people by Java City to make sure that people can come through without getting beeped. I love working at the library because I like seeing all of the people come in and sit down and do their homework. Also I help people when they drop their stuff on the floor, I pick up their stuff and hand them their stuff back.

Skills I am Learning at Kimbel Library

• Being more independent on tasks• Helping with others with questions about books• Being polite• Come to work on time• How to sort mail • Learned to alphabetize books and magazines

Second Internship: Media Services

• Media Services Assistant (Cameraman)-I help with the Cameras, doing the count off and I help in the editing for the TV show

Skills I am Learning at Internship at Media Services

• I am learning how to move the cameras around so I can get the right angle on the camera when filming

• I love doing the count off because I would like to have my own TV show

• I learned how to edit different tapes taken during the TV show

Third Internship: General Hackler Golf Course

Pro Shop Assistant- I help stocking shelves, clean windows, help folding golf shirts and answer customer questions about the golf course. Also I get free stuff at the Golf Course like golf balls and golf shirts.

Skills I am Learning at General Hackler Golf Course

• Listening Skills and asking for help on questions• I am learning how to greet people who come to the store • I also give customers tips on how to swing golf clubs on

the driving range• Help with folding shirts and putting tags inside the shirts• Stocking hats at the General Hackler Golf Course

Career Related Classes

Acting for the Non Major- I really love taking theater because I like to read monologues and act them out

Leisure, Recreation and Wellness- I enjoy learning about common culture and different leisure activities

What have I Learned this School Year?

I have learned about careers and how to seek employment Through meeting new people I have learned how to interact with them better I learned about different parts of an apartment Looking for a job that I am good at Make sure I dress nice and shave daily Ask for help when I want something How to speak up and display good eye contact when talking to others

What are my plans for this summer?

Going to the beach Play my blues harmonica with my dad’s band Helping mom around the house Going to see The Three Stooges movie

Why should new students join the LIFE Program?

Strategies on how to study and focus on school work Gaining new and exciting information To learn to enjoy the college environment and experience How to work on doing different tasks more independently to be able to

live on my own Learn how to find and maintain a job Opportunity to make new friends Learning how to not give up and try your very best

Resources

Discover: http://www.act.org/discover/

Occupational Outlook handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/