Originally from Pennsylvania, John is a chemical engineer working in the climate tech space. He’s a digital nomad who loves travelling, seeing new places, enjoying the wilderness and doing lots of hiking. His work focuses on sustainable refrigeration systems, including heat pumps and chillers, as well as consulting related to climate policy for companies and, occasionally, government organizations.
Working with a small company gives him the flexibility to work remotely — and to combine his career with something else he loves: travelling, hiking and discovering new places.
What brought you to the Yukon?
I came up to the Yukon this summer. I was originally aiming to go to Alaska, but some friends recommended that I stop here. They told me it was a great place.
I spent some time here, did a lot of exploring, made some friends and decided to stay longer. Eventually, I didn’t feel the need to continue on to Anchorage at all.
What do you appreciate most about the Yukon?
I think because it’s so sparse outside the city, people place a higher value on social connection.
I’ve met people who previously lived in big cities and have since moved to Whitehorse, and they’ve said the same thing. There’s a sense of community here. The city feels much more vibrant and interconnected than a typical larger city, where you can sometimes feel almost anonymous.
It has a small-town vibe, and because of its location, people seem to prioritize community and social connection. It’s also just a very beautiful place.
How did you discover Yukonstruct?
I travel around and often work from coworking spaces. When I stopped in Whitehorse, I looked to see if there was one here and found Yukonstruct. It had everything I needed.
I actually worked from Yukonstruct during summer and fall last year, and I’ve come back again this summer and fall.
What were you looking for in a workspace when you found Yukonstruct?
The biggest thing for me was 24/7 access. I sometimes work East Coast hours or European hours, and I also meet with clients in Southeast Asian time zones. My schedule can change dramatically and very quickly, so having a workspace with reliable Wi-Fi that I can access at any time is incredibly convenient.
The shower is also a nice touch, especially after a very long hike when the gyms are closed. It comes in very handy! Having a fridge and nonstop free coffee definitely makes the work easier too — and the free snacks are great.
But honestly, the 24/7 access is a major benefit for me.
Has being here helped you connect with people or feel part of the local community?
Yes. I’ve met people here and even reconnected with a couple of people I knew from back in the U.S. I’ve made some good friends. It’s a very community-friendly space and people are welcoming.
It is a warm, embracing space with a great ambience — a great place to hang out. It is very community-oriented.
What do you find most useful or enjoyable about the space?
For me, it’s the overall experience of the space. I’ve travelled extensively across Canada and the U.S. and worked from many different coworking spaces. One thing I’ve noticed is that coworking spaces vary widely in what they do and don’t provide, and even in what they consider standard.
For example, some coworking spaces don’t have phone booths, which you really need if you’re taking video calls with important clients. Sometimes that isn’t even mentioned on their website. Yukonstruct takes care of that need and also has meeting rooms, which are extremely convenient.
The fact that Yukonstruct offers access to a shipping address is also really helpful for digital nomads like me. As someone from the U.S., getting a Canadian P.O. box can be difficult without Canadian identification. I once needed to have a piece of equipment shipped to me in Canada, so having that option was extremely useful.
What would you tell another remote worker considering spending time in the Yukon or working from Yukonstruct?
Say hi. Be friendly. Be open to new connections and meeting people.
If you’re travelling internationally, stay up to date with your paperwork and keep everything organized.
Because I travel in a van, immigration sometimes has more questions for me because there’s a lot of space in the vehicle. When crossing the border, I recommend having all your documents ready and easily accessible, and having a clear plan for when you’re arriving and when you intend to leave.
Key Quote
“It [Yukonstruct] is a great place to hang out. It is very community-oriented – a warm, embracing space with a great ambience”