Open Roads, Open Roles: How Jira Consultant Rachel Wright celebrates a remote work lifestyle

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This month, we’re celebrating the AtlassiVan and all things Team Anywhere and Ways of Working by featuring @Rachel Wright, a Jira Consultant, Community Leader, and world traveler! We hope you’re inspired by her experience on the road and her top learnings on a lifestyle embracing remote work.

Hi, I’m Rachel Wright, certified Jira administrator and author of the Jira Strategy Admin Workbook. In 2015, I took my Atlassian skills on the road. I left the corporate world to travel the United States in an RV while helping organizations choose, configure, maintain, and migrate their software.

How Jira opened new doors

My Atlassian journey started in 2011 and I’ve been in a relationship with Jira since.

As a web developer, I was immediately impressed with how flexible and customizable the software was. At the 2013 user conference, I marched right up to the Community desk, hoping to join the local user group in my area. When I learned there wasn’t one, I volunteered to start it.

Before college, I started a web development company to help clients automate business tasks, communicate with customers, and close sales online. I was fully invested in the web development industry and was sure I’d do it my entire life. But then I fell in love with Jira, started a consulting company, and my life will never be the same!

Preparation for the road and biggest lessons

We did five months of research before working on the road. And of course, we tracked our preparation tasks in Jira and recorded our destination details in Confluence.

A lesson I’ve learned from 8 years on the road is to slow down. Early in our travels, we moved locations every week. It was amazing to visit so many places, but we never really got to know an area in depth and were always stressed about the next location. These days, we only move between our 3-4 favorite locations each year.

Craziest story on the road

We had three tire blowouts on the very first trip! The tires looked fine, and had low mileage, but they were sun damaged. 22 Hours and $1900 later, we finally made it to our first camp destination.

I’ve eaten all the interesting food and my partner Chris has caught all the interesting fish! Between my consulting business and travel lifestyle, I enjoy total personal and career freedom.

Tips for those considering a remote role

For digital nomads like us, reliable internet is the biggest challenge. We have multiple redundant networks and devices so we can have a dedicated connection. Our strategy works most of the time. 😉

Rachel’s 'Team Anywhere' Short List

💙 Favorite Atlassian value?

Be the change you seek - I'm fiercely independent, self directed, and constantly improving things I don't like.

🚢 Favorite place you’ve worked?

On a cruise ship. While camping in Galveston, Texas, I flew to Barcelona for the Atlassian user conference, and then boarded a cruise ship to Italy. It was a trip within a trip within a trip! 

🇮🇸 Dream place to visit that you haven’t yet

Iceland. In 2016, the date of the user conference changed to the same week I was scheduled to visit. Obviously I canceled my trip but I haven’t been able to reschedule it yet.

📆 A routine or ritual you’ve created on the road that you love

My initial plan was 'No Work Fridays', but it ended up becoming more of a 'No Meeting Friday' instead. Most weeks, however, I'm thankful to use the time to catch up on whatever I'm working on!

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Thanks, Rachel! Connect with Rachel Wright on LinkedIn, learn more about the Jira Strategy Admin Workbook, or ask Rachel your top questions on remote work in the comments. Learn more about the AtlassiVan for open roles!

[Jonathan V_]

Wow, this is truly an inspiring article, makes me wanna become a consultant, pick-up and head out. Congrats Rachel on being able to live your dream.

[Kerli Loopman]

This reminds me of the time I remodelled my house and lived in a trailer for nine months. I wasn't "on the go" but it was quite all right to live there so I could definitely make few trips and keep working without taking extra holiday time to do it.

[Karim ABO HASHISH]

Thanks for sharing such exciting journey, Congratulations

[Deepak Rai]

Thanks for sharing this Amazing Journey!!

[Dave Mathijs]

To be honest, I'm no road tripper, but I loved reading your journey so far. That first screenshot is epic!

[Rilwan Ahmed]

Thanks for sharing. 

[Houssein Barkallah]

I'm thinking about starting my journey, and this post really did help, Thank you ♥

[Luis Machado]

Man I'm totally jealous. I'd love to just pack everything into a camper and head out, maybe some day.

[Sajit Nair]

Great post.. Thanks for sharing Rachel.
Delhi would love to host you on an ACE trip if your camper ever decides to do APAC. :)

[Tommy Augustine]

I love the flexibility you have. My Office recently called everyone back in, and they've built an entirely new building with upgrades that benefit in-office work. 

[Omar Mohamed Fathi]

wow

[Juan Carlos Vera]

Cool History ;)

thanks for sharing