“I am still challenging myself”. It is a word of Oh Chi-young, a graduate of CNU. He is the CEO of Jiranjikyo software. He studied computer science at Chungnam National University. When he was a senior at CNU, he founded the company, Jiranjikyo software, with three friends. Since then, 17 years have passed.
I think faith, passion, and challenge are important virtues of life. I like challenge. Sometimes, I cause problems because of too much challenge. Society has been changing rapidly these days. To be honest, I am not worried about doing new things. For example, I love to ‘explore overseas markets’ and learn English. I was good at math and computer in school, but I hated English. Also, I didn't like reading books. But, as I make more frequent business trips abroad, I study English. Now, I am quite good at English. I also enjoy reading lots of books. I was born like this originally. I was very positive and liked to challenge since I was young.
First, I have something to say about challenge. I started to do business when I was a university student. I sold a roast sweet potato and taught computer as a part-time job. My friends and I started teaching computer classes in Daejeon for the first time. During that time, I chose to ride a bicycle from Seoul to Daejeon on my birthday and came back to Seoul by bus in the evening. This is just one example. There were a lot more things that I challenged myself. The next thing that I have to say about myself is the positive mindset. Event when I am left alone, I will run company all by myself. Do you know when a company fails? When CEO doesn't get paid? When employees leave a company? The answer is "No." A company fails when CEO has a mind to give up.
I attend church regularly and have a deep faith. I feel guilty sometimes after heavy drinking related to my business. Every morning I try to master my mind. Also, I release stress by doing sports. In drinking party, I don’t attempt to drink heavily and try to go home before midnight. In a rapid changing society, I don't make a plan in details. But, it is more important to create 'dream' and 'direction.' I pursue my dream unceasingly with a clear sense of direction.
I don't know yet. But I have an ultimate dream to realize. This year marks my company's 17th anniversary. After the 20th anniversary, I want to take a rest for two years, studying something new and making a next halt of life.
Undergraduate days were the happiest moment in my life. I was always in a rush. I wanted to master computer very quickly. During my university days, I was interested in computer. When I was a middle school student, my father bought for me Apple Computer. My father’s friend ran a business selling Apple Computer. I must admit that I was not an academically excellent student. One thing that I regret is not having an experience abroad. Now, I plan to go abroad in future, possibly after our company's 20th anniversary.
The motto of Jiranjikyo software is to be a great and friendly company. We try to make useful software to people. Free atmosphere abounds. I wish to realize my dream in my company. When I was a senior in university, my future looked very uncertain.
Nevertheless, I decided to establish a computer-related company. But, we suffered heavily in Management from 2000 to 2002. So, 1 had to reduce the size of the company. I burst worm tears for the first time. It took 4-5 years to recovery. And now I try hard to strike a balance between quality and quantity together. We have to explore overseas markets to develop and expand our company. I think if Jiranjikyo software doesn't succeed abroad, it has no future. Korea has already have high technical skills and some degree of completion about software. So, I think that exploring overseas markets is one option to consider seriously. Success abroad is hard to achieve, but I will do my best. But it is positively necessary.
I want you to get many experiences through trips. You need to have the firsthand experience' And go "crazy!" Various experiences will be valuable assets to your life. Also, you cannot succeed if you don’t go crazy in one’s filed. But you don’t have to achieve success when you are young. The early incomes cannot be yours unless you have an ability to control money. Life is like a marathon. Set a goal and run for it. Act now! Never give up!
I had some disadvantages because I was a graduate from province national university. In fact, I don't care about educational background. I am rather insensitive to it than others. In company it is more important to be good ar casks and in business it is more important to run business well. These days, many students try hard to build up good SPFCs, but what you need is SPECs with your own story. Forger high TOEIC scores. What I want to tell my junior is this! "Have a big dream! Act right now to realize a dream! Never give up!"
ekdud@cnu.ac.kr