Kim OO,  a graduate     ● Entered the Department of Science Studies at Jeonbuk National University in 1997 and graduated in 2005   ● Head of Research at Mira○ Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd. "Don’t doubt whether you can do it. Believe that you can. If you lack ability, try twice, three times, and if it still doesn’t work, try ten times.  If you keep trying and putting in effort, you will eventually succeed!  Don’t give up in advance with a defeatist mindset."

1. Please introduce yourself briefly.

 

I work at Mira○ Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., a subsidiary company affiliated with Ha○, one of the major corporations, located in Jeonju. (Jeonju University is run by the Shin-Donga Foundation, which was the first major shareholder and now the second major shareholder after Ha○, hence the research institute is based at Jeonju University.) Mira○ Technology Research Institute specializes in microbiology and produces and sells eco-friendly household products based on microorganisms, including soap, toothpaste, detergents, and cosmetics. The institute also operates an online shopping mall. Our researchers focus on studying microbes and developing products which we supply mainly to general companies, agricultural technology centers, and agricultural cooperatives, providing microbial cultures and media (microbial nutrients), along with technical guidance. As the head of the research institute, I manage the laboratory and lead microorganism research and new product development with the team.

 

2. Could you share some memorable experiences from your school life?

 

I enrolled in 1997 as a first-year student and was part of the third cohort of the Science Studies department. Many male seniors from the first and second cohorts enlisted in the military, so the total number of students was not large, creating a small, family-like atmosphere with many enjoyable moments. Most department students enjoyed their school life freely, and there was a certain romantic spirit and community in our collective activities. While I am not sure about nowadays, back then we mostly hung out with classmates we felt comfortable with. Until I enlisted in the military, I partied a lot, but after my discharge, I got serious with classes and grades and gained various experiences. I have many fond memories of the close friendships among the 1997 cohort during our first year.

 

3. Is there any departmental course you particularly recall?

 

Courses about the history of science, scientists, and philosophy of science—covering scientific chronologies known from middle and high school curricula—were essential in grounding my basic scientific knowledge. I also particularly enjoyed and remember the science policy course, which taught me how important scientists' conscience and the scientific direction of the times are. The policy class involved lively debates with fellow students and provided an engaging way to understand the paradigms of modern science.

 

4. Do you have any memories of professors?

 

Professor Jin-Gon Oh, the founding head of the department, is the most memorable. During numerous orientation trips (OT) and group trips (MT), singing “Love” by The Sunflower Band together with seniors and juniors remains a big part of my memories. Professors Jong-Il Kim, Geun-Bae Kim, and Mun-Gyu Lee often listened to us colloquially at nearby pubs and makgeolli houses, offering kind words and encouragement. However, I vividly recall that exam results the next day were always delivered coldly and objectively. Of course, that might have been just me feeling that way due to not studying enough.

5. How has your department life influenced your life and career?

 

When I was in university, I sometimes thought that if I had discussed my career path more with professors and searched for more information, I might be living a better present now. Whether studying or playing, I tried to do my best at every moment and maintained a positive attitude. Nowadays, with the Internet and smartphones, you can browse through diverse lives worldwide in real-time, but in the early 2000s, things from overseas excited me deeply.

 

After military service, I took English classes, went on language training abroad, and backpacked through various countries, which ultimately helped me land my first job at a trading company. I made many decisions on my own, faced bitter failures, and learned from them. Through all experiences, one thing that remained constant to me was the commitment to scientific and ethical thinking, which I believe was greatly influenced by the science policy course I took in university. That course laid the foundation for my scientific way of thinking even now.

 

6. Why did you choose your current career? Please share your motivation and your personal criteria for career decisions with juniors.

 

Comedian Kim Guk-jin once said in a lecture that when he was famous, a high school student named Park Kyung-rim told him she wanted to be a famous TV MC. At that time, he thought she didn’t realize her voice was husky and that MCs usually had clear, bright voices on TV. He thought she was living a fanciful dream.

 

But later, when he saw Park Kyung-rim become a famous MC, he realized his thoughts were wrong and that humans have infinite potential. Of course, she worked hard and took time to get there, but she overcame many prejudices and achieved her dream. Microorganisms, like air, are always with us and play a vital role in our lives—important yet little understood in detail.

 

I chose microbiology because I believed it had a lot of potential and was an interesting field I wanted to challenge myself in. I saw microbes as one of the foundations of life on Earth and wanted to learn more about them. Even though I started studying microbiology relatively late about ten years ago, believing it was a promising field, I made great efforts and had bold aspirations to become an expert. I continue to learn and work hard, growing as an expert in agricultural and livestock microbiology and leading the R&D department as head of a corporate research lab.

 

Doing what you can to the best of your ability is one way, but trying your best to challenge what you want to do without fear and making achievements is more rewarding and valuable. Don’t doubt yourself asking, “Can I do it?” Believe, “I can.” If you lack skill, try twice, three times, even ten times. Keep trying and you will succeed! Don’t give up in advance.

 

7. What efforts have you made to advance toward your current career? What advice do you have for students on efforts to make during their school years?

 

I am not in a very high position nor do I have enough ability to give much advice, but I would say it is important to dedicate yourself to your department life, gain diverse experiences, and work hard toward your set goals. Focus on doing your best on the basics.

 

However, when you look around, people with good basics are not easy to find. In some workplaces, every department writes business plans at the end of the year. Whether they reach goals depends on how realistically detailed the plan is. And even if the plan is well-made, without real effort, the goals can be missed.

 

School life is similar. Setting the right goals, making achievable detailed plans, and working hard are really important foundations. If you practice enough in school, you will be well-prepared for society. Planning, acting accordingly, communicating, and repeating this process until it becomes a habit will help you excel in all areas.

 

8. Any words you want to share with juniors?

 

I hope students live their university lives without regrets by doing their best every moment, whether playing, studying, or anything else. People who give their all seem to have no regrets taking the next step. The difference between those who give their best and those who do things half-heartedly may not be visible now but will be evident in the future. And don’t think only you know you are trying your best. Others see it too.

 

9. Finally, in a word or two, what is science studies to you?

 

Science studies is the birthplace of my knowledge—knowledge born!