DM Internships

[vladimir]

So the shop owner should pay the intern, huh? Which of the consequences will then happen? 1) the shop owner makes a smaller profit? 2) the shop own charges customers more? 3) the shop owner cuts other costs, e.g. safety or comfort items?

I don't see #3 as a compelling argument for our case--one could argue persuasively that the shop owner is already cutting costs on a safety item by using a volunteer divemaster.

 

[Zippsy]

Well it has to be one of those three. Even though it is up to the shop owner, I was just curious which one people here would choose, or, more importantly, would think happen.

BTW, I would assume that most DM's that would be interested in taking up this position were either new DM's looking to break into the business or experienced DM's who are looking to expand their skills, experience or geographic range. Are you saying that new DM's are unsafe? Because I am pretty sure all DM's were new once. Or are you saying that DM's who only work for tips would be less vigilant about safety? I'm having trouble with both those arguments but maybe you were thinking of something else.

Sorry to the original poster for the thread being hijacked. I'd be happy if a mod separated the wheat from the chaff.

 

[vladimir]

Well it has to be one of those three. Even though it is up to the shop owner, I was just curious which one people here would choose, or, more importantly, would think happen.

I have no idea what would happen, and I would expect it to vary from place to place, depending mostly on how much competitive pressure they have to maintain prices. Personally, cost has almost no bearing on who I choose to dive with. If I couldn't afford to do 100 dives a year with quality operators, I'd do fifty, or twenty-five.

BTW, I would assume that most DM's that would be interested in taking up this position were either new DM's looking to break into the business or experienced DM's who are looking to expand their skills, experience or geographic range. Are you saying that new DM's are unsafe? Because I am pretty sure all DM's were new once. Or are you saying that DM's who only work for tips would be less vigilant about safety? I'm having trouble with both those arguments but maybe you were thinking of something else.

If you agree that a divemaster is a "safety item," then you agree that this dive operator is cutting costs on a safety item when compared to a salaried person in the same position. Whether he has also compromised safety is a separate question.

Sorry to the original poster for the thread being hijacked. I'd be happy if a mod separated the wheat from the chaff.

Yes, I agree that a mod should restore this thread to the original advertisement and questions directly pertinent to it (first three posts, at this point) and split the other discussion to a new thread (or delete it).

 

[TechBlue]

So the shop owner should pay the intern, huh? Which of the consequences will then happen? 1) the shop owner makes a smaller profit? 2) the shop own charges customers more? 3) the shop owner cuts other costs, e.g. safety or comfort items?

The dive operator is getting paid by the customers for the services the interns are providing, in turn the interns should be paid for their services. Why should they work for free so that the shop owner can generate higher profits? That is totally bogus, as has already been stated you pay your dues when you go through your DM candidacy it shouldn't continue on after you have achieved your cert and carry your own insurance.

To me this is just a sorry scam to get free labor through the season and I am quite offended by it. Your logic as to how the owner generates profits and may have to cut services to pay people does not make any sense.

 

[DBailey]

I have no dog in this fight, but isn't that they way that DM internships normally work?

I have never heard of paying someone to work whilst they have no professional insurance, and all they hold is a rescue diver qualification.

I don't know the guys at JVD Scuba personally, but I don't see them doing anything different to hundreds of other operators in the Caribbean (and elsewhere?).

I realize the OP editted the first post, so maybe this changed...

Minimum requirement is a current PADI Member with Divemaster status.

If this were an internship that resulted in your DM level, then this type of "intership" is just fine as you work your way through the DM program.

This operator is looking for "interns" that are already profession level. I bet there are a few operators that could give good enough experience that could justify this type of no-pay position.

Heck, this position doesn't even provide minimal money for insurance and/or dues.

Two new internships available each month, so check back often!

I read this as, "We expect that turn-over will be very high because the only water you'll see is when you are rinsing off the urine soaked wetsuits."

 

[TMHeimer]

Actually the DM internship is before you get your DM status.. not after.. The idea is that the internship is part of your training as a DM. Then it pays. Once a DM you are a PRO and deserve pay. Sorry.. internships should be for DM candidates, not DM's Mr. Shop owner or it is taking advantage. It is friggin hard to do your DM cert!

Whoa! Exactly!!! Why does this remind me of the way we musicians are treated. It (like diving) is a fun thing, so why not do it for free. Doesn't matter if you've been a union musician for 35 years! To become a music teacher, you "intern" without pay for a semester somewhere. Then you get a job, and with no previous paid experience, you pull down a regular teacher's salary.

 

[boulderjohn]

This sort of thing may happen more than we know.

I did some diving in south Florida (near Pompano) a few years ago and was surprised when the skipper told the customers that the DM was unpaid and was working only for tips, so please be generous.

 

[TechBlue]

This sort of thing may happen more than we know.

I did some diving in south Florida (near Pompano) a few years ago and was surprised when the skipper told the customers that the DM was unpaid and was working only for tips, so please be generous.

The same in the NE but this particular internship means flying somewhere and paying your way while you serve. So you don't get to have your "daytime job" to cover your bills

 

[vjanelle]

This happens quite a bit, and people tend to get frequently kicked off the islands for working illegally. Also, you enjoy no possible insurance protections and its definitely against whatever possible immigration visas you may enjoy.

As for unpaid internships in general? I think people are confusing the referral ones for part of their DM classes with the ones that people provide in various industries - a chance to learn what the **** is actually going on as a real world experience(another poor choices of words by both parties). This isn't for anything but a line on your resume and a letter of reference saying you know how to guide a tour in that area. This is sketchy sure, but there's ways to keep it on the up and up. There's a lot of people that come through various programs thinking its the best thing since sliced bread, and discover its not really the career they want to do.

 

[Cave Diver]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

This thread was split from another discussion and originally moved into the Going Pro forum. I forgot at the time it was moved that the Going Pro is restricted to posting only by certain groups. It's been moved back to an open forum. My apologies for the oversight.

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