Jana to graduate with a new teaching career under her wing
By Greg Chapman
When Jana Schweitzer crosses the stage at this week’s CQUniversity Mackay Graduation Ceremony, she won’t just be celebrating a degree — she’ll be marking the beginning of a whole new career.
The 40-year-old mother of three has transformed her lifelong passion for teaching into a profession, and will share her story as Graduate Representative Speaker at the ceremony.
“It is a privilege to speak on behalf of such a diverse and resilient cohort and to acknowledge the shared experiences, challenges and achievements that have brought us to this moment,” Jana said.
“Graduating feels incredibly rewarding and meaningful. Completing this degree represents perseverance, commitment and belief — not just academically, but personally.”
Jana’s journey hasn’t been easy. Balancing full-time work, full-time study, relocation, and family life, she says the milestone represents far more than a qualification.
It’s something I am extremely proud of. It’s a milestone that reflects growth, resilience and purpose.”
A career change at 36 set Jana on her new path.
Having spent years working across the travel and mining industries, she realised her natural strengths always drew her toward training and mentoring roles.
“I have always considered myself a natural educator,” she said.
“More importantly, I discovered a natural ability to connect with children, having seen the love of learning I nurtured in my own. That inspired me to want to share that passion with as many young people as I could, and to make my calling official by studying Primary Education.”
She said studying CQU’s Bachelor of Education (Primary) was incredibly rewarding, engaging, and practical.
“Like many students, I faced several challenges along the way. I began my studies in a remote mining town while working full time as a teacher aide, studying full time and raising a family,” she said.
“Halfway through my degree, I relocated to Mackay to complete professional experience - attending a different school to my children, while moving them into new schools in a new town and doing so while my husband remained in our mining town working away Monday to Friday.
“Another significant challenge was adapting to online learning and being a mature‑age student, this was initially daunting, but with guidance from lecturers, it became a valuable and empowering learning experience.”
That support extended beyond the classroom, with Jana receiving encouragement from her family and assistance through Catholic Education’s Career Assistance Program.Now, with her degree complete, Jana has secured a role as a Year 1 teacher at Fitzgerald State School – a position she said was incredibly grateful for and proud to hold.
“My goal is to continue growing as an educator, refining my practice and creating engaging, supportive and joyful learning environments for young students,” she said.
“I am passionate about nurturing confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning, and I look forward to making a lasting impact in the classroom and school community.
“I am incredibly grateful to my lecturers, fellow students and personal support networks - especially family, friends and those ever‑active chats - who encouraged me during moments of doubt and celebrated the wins along the way. This journey has reinforced that it is never too late to follow your passion, embrace change, and believe in what’s possible.”
