How Van Lifer Kaelan Makes Money as a Traveling Communications Manager

“Your degree doesn’t have to dictate your career path.” As a former elementary teacher turned van lifer and Communications Manager, Kaelan Young is a shining example of her own words. 

In the pursuit of freedom and adventure, Kaelan decided to leave the traditional classroom in 2020 and hit the road with her husband. After a year of exploring the country in their van, they planted temporary roots in Idaho until a life-changing accident led them to rethink their path, and soon they found themselves returning to the nomadic lifestyle they had grown to love.

Now, Kaelan is not only living out her dream on the road but also thriving in her role as the Communications Manager for Viristar, a global outdoor consultancy. With her background in education, a love for creative pursuits, a passion for the outdoors, and a desire to make a meaningful impact, she worked hard to begin a new career that allows her to work from anywhere while enhancing outdoor and adventure programs worldwide.

In this interview, Kaelan shares her unique journey of how she transitioned her career to fit her lifestyle, overcame challenges while working remotely from a van, and found fulfillment in helping organizations improve their outdoor programs.

Read on to discover how Kaelan balances work and life on the road, the tools she relies on to stay productive, and her tips for others looking to follow a similar path.

1. Before we dive in, please give us a little background on yourself and your van life journey. What were your main reasons for wanting to live on the road?

I spent five years as an elementary teacher in Mississippi and Texas before my husband and I made the decision to move into our van full-time in 2020. We were drawn to the freedom and adventure that van life offered, and it allowed us to explore the country like never before. During that time, we traveled across the U.S., visiting so many incredible places. It was an experience that deepened our connection to nature and fueled an even stronger passion for the outdoors.

After spending a year on the road, we decided to plant roots in Idaho in 2021, seeking new career opportunities and a community that aligned with our love for the outdoors. We kept our van for short-term getaways and even rented it out on Outdoorsy.com for some extra income.

Later in 2022, our lives took an unexpected turn when my husband was involved in a severe bike accident, requiring multiple surgeries and a long recovery. This life-altering event gave us a new perspective, leading us to realize that we wanted to reclaim the freedom and fulfillment we had once found on the road.

Determined to get back to that simple life, we transitioned to fully remote jobs by 2023. This let us return to the nomadic lifestyle we loved, living and working from our van, which had become a symbol of new beginnings for us.

Now, we’re back on the road, and we can’t see ourselves stopping anytime soon.

2. Can you share a bit about your career journey and how you ended up as the Communications Manager for a global outdoor consultancy? What kind of prior experiences, degrees, and/or skills did you need for your position?

My career journey began with a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. After graduating, I dedicated myself to connecting with students from Title I schools and discovering the impact of experiential learning along the way. I took my students beyond the classroom walls with hands-on, real-world experiences, from guided nature walks to tackling practical challenges, fostering their curiosity and exploration.

Throughout my teaching career, I always embraced creativity and pursued it alongside my day job. I developed a strong passion for writing, graphic design, and photography, working as a professional photographer for nearly a decade. This creative pursuit naturally guided me towards roles where I could blend my educational expertise with my love for design and communication.

When we moved to Idaho in 2021, I transitioned into the role of a Forest School Educator at a local forest school. There, I led immersive outdoor activities designed to instill environmental stewardship in my students. 

My career soon advanced to a Marketing Manager role and eventually to a senior leadership position as the Director of Development and Operations for the National Outdoor Learning Alliance. In these roles, I honed my skills in strategic development and communication, realizing that this was the path I wanted to pursue.

In 2023, after returning to van life and transitioning to remote work, I stepped into the role of Communications Manager for a training and consulting organization.

3. What exactly does your consultancy do, and what do you do for them in your role as Communications Manager? Describe the typical tasks that you do for your job.

Viristar is a global training and consulting organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of outdoor and adventure programs. We serve a diverse range of organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies, helping them understand and implement best practices in outdoor education, recreation, adventure tourism, and related fields.

As the Communications Manager, I am responsible for developing and implementing strategies to elevate our brand and increase visibility in the industry. My typical tasks include crafting communication strategies, managing media relations, overseeing content creation, coordinating internal communications, and monitoring the impact of our efforts to ensure effective engagement. 

4. How did you find this position? And what was your employer’s response when you told them you work from your van – was it an issue?

I found my position through Basecamp Outdoor when I was exploring new opportunities that aligned with my background in communications and passion for outdoor education, with room for growth. The role was a great fit for my skills and career goals.

When I told my employer I’d be working from my van, they were all in and thought it was fantastic! Viristar is all about embracing flexibility and remote work, knowing it boosts productivity and work-life balance. As long as I stay communicative and get my work done, working from my van is smooth sailing. 

5. What aspect of your role do you find most rewarding, and why?

The most rewarding part of my role is helping organizations improve their outdoor and adventure programs, making them safer and more effective. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the positive impact of our efforts in enhancing safety practices and program quality. Knowing that our work helps create more meaningful and secure experiences for participants is amazing.

6. How do you maintain a work-life balance while constantly on the move?

Maintaining a work-life balance while constantly on the move involves a mix of good planning, flexibility, and a bit of organization. Since my husband and I work remotely, we like to stay in one spot for at least a week. This way, we can set up a comfy outdoor space, get our Starlink internet running, and have everything we need for the week. We usually use iOverlander to pre-plan great spots for our extended stays.

To keep things running smoothly, we keep all our work gear in one place in the van and pack it away at the end of the workday. This separation helps us switch gears from work mode to relaxation mode. We take full advantage of van life by exploring the areas we are in during breaks and after work. Balancing work with travel and fun lets us stay productive while soaking up all the adventures.

7. What challenges do you face working remotely from a van, and how do you overcome them? Can you share any tips or tools that help you stay connected and productive while working from remote locations?

Working remotely from a van comes with a few challenges, the biggest one being managing power, especially when the weather isn’t sunny. Since our van is off-grid, we rely on solar panels to power everything, and on cloudy days, we use a backup power bank to keep things running. If that doesn’t suffice, we’ll head to coffee shops to use their Wi-Fi. 

8. How often do you need to be on phone and/or video calls for your role? How do you handle these meetings while being in different locations? 

I don’t have a ton of meetings each week, but I do have a few. For those, Starlink internet is key to keeping everything running smoothly. As long as we’re in open spaces, it’s super reliable, so I’ve never had any issues with my calls, even when we’re in different locations.

9. Living on the road with a partner who also works, do you ever run into unique difficulties (i.e., both of you need to be on a Zoom meeting at the same time, working different hours, etc.)? How do you navigate these?

Two people working full-time from just 50 square feet can get a bit cramped. To make it work, we’ve found a balance that suits us. We’ve settled into a groove where one of us will work outside while the other handles meetings inside, and vice versa. This setup helps us make the most of our small space and keeps distractions to a minimum.

We also share our calendars with each other, so we’re always in the loop about each other’s meetings and schedules. This way, we can plan our workspace and avoid any scheduling conflicts.

10. Are there any other tips that you have for other van lifers who want to find and be successful in a role similar to yours?

One key tip is to remember that your degree doesn’t have to dictate your career path. My degree is in Elementary Education, which is a completely different field from what I’m doing now. What’s really important is having the skills, knowledge, and passion in the areas you want to work in.

If you’re interested in a role like mine, focus on building relevant skills and gaining experience in those areas, even if they’re outside your formal education. Networking, pursuing certifications, and working on projects related to your target field can be incredibly valuable. Passion and dedication can go a long way in transitioning to a new career, especially when you’re flexible and open to learning along the way.

Connect with Kaelan

If you want to follow Kaelan’s van life journey and adventures, you can follow her on Instagram (@kaelan.young). You can also catch a tour of her van on YouTube.

Kaelan’s journey serves as an important reminder that nothing in life is set in stone, so it’s important to follow your interests and passions wherever they may lead you. All of us have the potential to learn new skills, find a job that meshes with our lifestyle, and live a life of adventure if we’re brave enough to try. 

MORE ARTICLES TO READ:

• Best Remote Jobs for Van Lifers: Work Anywhere, Live Everywhere
• 25 Jobs You Can Do Right from Your Campervan (Goodbye 9-5!)
• How to Make Money on the Road: 40+ Tips and Ideas for Van Lifers