My first “real” job after college began in 2020, working as a remote program manager for an environmental nonprofit. I thought I had landed the perfect position until the company told us we had to start coming into the office on rotation.
With a two-hour commute and an elderly dog at home, I couldn’t help wondering what I was doing there. After the death of my beloved pet, I began to regret all of the hours wasted in traffic or at the office instead of being with her during her last few months of life.
Fully disillusioned, I crossed the country to move back in with my mother.
Grieving, lost, and unable to find a new full-time job, I decided to make a drastic change. I spent the summer of 2024 working for Burning Man, and have been living in a van and “work camping” — or doing seasonal or gig jobs — ever since.
I fell in love with life on the road — and learned that my existing skills and interests could get me work anywhere
Koi Reid
With fewer expenses, I discovered that I could make my lifestyle work with just about any job. So, I used my experience with and passion for the environment to start working in conservation.
Now, every summer, I work at state and national parks, teaching young adults how to cut dead trees, dig paths, build rock walls, and otherwise keep our trails enjoyable.
Living van life as a gig worker has also allowed me to explore some of my other passions, especially music. When not working in the woods, I travel to different festivals where I work customer-service positions, such as manning lost-and-found tents or directing cars in parking lots.
Between the kind customers and fun work environment, these are some of the best service gigs I’ve ever worked. They also get me into music festivals for free, so I can dance and explore in my free time.
Finally, like many nomads, I have my own business. I am a mobile loctician, meaning I meet clients in their homes or elsewhere to do their dreadlocks.
My client base has slowly been growing from one city to multiple states as I learn to navigate having a fully mobile service.
I’ve learned to balance planning and going with the flow
Koi Reid
I am a meticulous planner, and that comes out in full force when scheduling my travel. I accept jobs based on their location and time of year, driving from one gig to another without backtracking.
However, if there’s an opportunity I’m particularly passionate about, I will park my van and fly to it. For instance, every year, I find a way to work at Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. It’s my favorite music festival, and it’s right after my birthday.
This lifestyle isn’t all fun and games, though. Van life encourages living in the moment, but it’s easy to lose track of your finances if you aren’t planning ahead.
Because the jobs aren’t continuous, I’m normally hunting for next summer’s position before the current one ends. Networking is also important — every fellow gig worker is not just a friend, but a possible work connection.
Work camping may seem limiting to some: After all, you’re still doing in-person jobs that require you to be at a certain place at a certain time. Unlike some other van lifers, I can’t just leave the area when I tire of the weather, stay a few extra days at a music festival, or go on a spontaneous trip with friends.
Despite the drawbacks, I wouldn’t trade my new set-up for anything — especially not a traditional office job like the one I had before. I appreciate that this on-the-ground work allows me to become a part of the communities I travel to, and I love meeting people who have sought the same freedom.
Every day, I’m excited for my next adventure, which makes any challenge feel worth it.
