While working from home Jennifer Czajkowski continues her habit of taking an after-lunch walk, but now is able to bring her husband and children along.
What’s your day typically like right now?
I still get up early and get dressed and ready as if I’m leaving for work. It’s a psychological thing for me to get ready for my day. I advise students via phone calls and “meet” with my team via laptop.
What’s different from your normal day on campus?
A lot is different since I don’t have to pack lunches for my family and I get to walk to work (to my home office). After I eat lunch, I go for a walk which is the same as what I do on campus, but the whole family comes along. I don’t get the face-to-face interaction with students that I really enjoy, but (I am) staying positive in this new normal.
How did you end up at UNLV?
My husband’s job moved us here from the Bay Area in May 2013. I had been working in higher education in California for five years and wanted to continue working with college students.
What inspired you to get into your field?
I started working as an academic counselor in 2008 while earning my master’s degree in marriage, family, child therapy, thinking it was just a job until I had my own practice. I loved being my students’ encouragement and support system. I built a relationship with each of them, digging deeper into their motivation for completing their degree and uncovering their strengths and dreams. It felt like the best of both worlds, talking through some of their struggles of being a college student, but also encouraging them to succeed.
What is your current job title and what are a few of your duties?
As a first-year advisor in the Academic Success Center, I work with our incoming freshman students. I communicate with them prior to their arrival on campus, inviting and meeting them at New Student Orientation, and meeting with them during their first year of college.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I rode my road bike around Lake Tahoe, which is 72 miles.
Tell us about an a-ha moment in your career.
I left UNLV in April 2019 to work for a nonprofit, faith-based organization for eight months. It really strengthened me — I was able to pour into the women’s lives, and it felt like a family — but also made me realize higher education is where I want to be. Through that experience, I realized that, with my job as a mom and my love for helping others, higher education allows me to do both well.
Is this what you thought you’d do when you grew up?
No. I don’t think I would have ever thought of being an academic advisor because I didn’t know that job existed, but sure wish I did because I would have started doing it a lot sooner.
What advice would you give your younger self?
So many things. I would probably say to take school more seriously. I didn’t have anyone in my life to guide me through college. That is probably one of the reasons why I love my job so much. I get to help guide and encourage my students in ways that I wished I had experienced.
If you weren’t working at UNLV, where do you think you’d be?
A stay-at-home mom. Life is busy raising two kids, who both play sports, and trying to fit in quality family time.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Taking power naps.
Ideal summer vacation
On a beach somewhere. I went to San Diego State University and lived there for nine years, so I love the beach, the sound of the ocean, and feeling the sand under my feet.
Tell us about an object in your office.
I have a large seashell that my dad gave me. It reminds me of strength (the shell) and peace, as it’s from the ocean.
What is the best three-month stretch of the year?
February, March, April — the newness of spring and the calm before the storm, New Student Orientation, and preparing for fall.
What do you miss most about campus?
I miss being around my work team. They are supportive, helpful, and feel like a work family. We stay in touch throughout the day over group chat and keep each other sane with funny bitmoji's, but I do miss being with them in the office.
What’s the silver lining in all of this for you?
I am grateful that my husband and I are able to work from home and able to spend more time together, shaving off commute time and enjoying a lunchtime walk together. Our kids’ teachers post videos for the kids to watch each day to help them stay on top of their learning, and now that I am more involved in helping them, it helps me understand a lot more of what they are learning on a day-to-day basis. I also enjoy having a window in my office at home.
