The Sungkyun Times

Kim Da-sol_reporter

thirdphase@skku.edu

“If my sons find out that I’ve given an interview, they will nag me,” Jung Jung-ok, a custodian at the dormitory, said smiling. She is in charge of cleaning the students’ dormitory-–courtesy building--on the Natural Sciences Campus. There are many places to look after on campus, but the dormitory is a special place because it is a students’ home. She starts her work early in the morning, when most students are still sleeping.

She started working at SKKU two years ago. Before then, she ran a flower shop for about 30 years near Konkuk University, Seoul. However, her husband passed away two years ago, and she had a hard time getting through her depression caused by the loss. Then she was encouraged by her neighbors to work at a school, she also wanted to help other people as a volunteer. So, she started working at SKKU. She remarks, “It was hard to clean dirty things such as excrement at first when I first started cleaning restrooms on campus. But as soon as I became accustomed to the work, I began enjoying my job since I feel that I am helping others!” She realized that cleaning is not despicable but worthwhile in that it changes dirty things into pure ones.

Sometimes, while working in Humanity and Justice dormitory, a place for only male students, she accidentally encounters boys in the restrooms, and it makes her so feel embarrassed. But, the students often say to her, “That’s OK. Don’t mind us." Ms. Jung appreciates the students’ acts of kindness. “Students sometimes give me beverages and snacks. They also write thank you notes for our work on the internet board. That makes me feel that my work is useful and beneficial.”

Asked if she has any complaints about the students at the dormitory, Ms. Jung just said with a smile, “I would like to ask the students not to put their personal trash out on the corridor and to pay attention not to lose their belongings. That’s all.”

She has a lot of spare time since her working hours are few. Moreover, her sons are all grown up; therefore, she does not need to look after them any longer. Gradually, she has come to have more time to spend on whatever she really wants to do. She said she would like to go mountain climbing after work. In summer, when days are long, she goes to the mountain near her house almost every day. Furthermore, she likes to pursue new fields. Nowadays, she is learning how to bake bread and cookies in a bakery institute. She aims to be a certified cook and certified baker. She also likes working at the computer in her free time, and she has a word-processor certification at the second level. She obtained the certification after learning computer skills at a local welfare center. Recently, she taken up an interest in internet web-surfing. Her energetic and passionate lifestyle is impressive.

 People may think a cleaning job is hard and boring. However, Ms. Jung seems to truly appreciate and enjoy her work. How about greeting custodians with a smile when you come across one of them on campus?