Among all changes observed in the relations of work in the last few decades, it can be emphasized those originated from the crisis of the State and its implications to public workers. In this context, a research was made interviewing 12 servers who work in the maintenance of a public university in order to investigate the senses of work attributed for them. The content analysis of the data made possible its organization in four categories. Two of them are presented here: senses of work and knowledge acquired through practice. The interviewed people associated their knowledge of the professional practice acquired with their oldest colleagues. They attributed positives senses to their works such as professional stability, as well as personal and familiar sustenance. Participants revealed that the users usually ignore or consider that their activities intervene the routine of the university. However, they consider its performances as a support to the main activities of the institution.