Can I jump start my career as a PADI certified Scuba Instructor?

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M

MilwaukeeDan

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Hello my name is Danny

I am interested in becoming a Scuba Instructor and have been for a few years now. I have completed my OW and I enjoyed it very much. That being said I am still extremely new to the world of diving and have only had a few dives (less than 10) but I believe this is something I would like to do for my life. I guess the main question I wanted to ask is if I was to spend the next 6 months - 1 year obtaining all the certifications I needed and logging 100+ dives and passed my Instructor exam, how hard would it be for me to find work? I live in and would most likely be taking all of my courses in South Eastern Wisconsin but I would be very open to relocating if a job opportunity arises as an Instructor. My long term goal is to be an Instructor for a few years and then become a Master Instructor and one day to work on a cruise ship and being able to travel and dive, two things I am passionate about. So if anyone has ever taken the "quick route" or whatever you want to call it, or just has some advice/constructive criticism I would love if you would leave some feedback and tell me your thoughts, whatever they may be.

Thank you,
- Danny
 
You have a really long way to go. I would recommend getting your certifications and working your way to DiveMaster, then assisting with classes for at least a year before deciding to go for instructor.

As a DM you will assist with the instruction without having the direct responsibility for all the paperwork that goes with the teaching. You will learn how to help students, how to spot students that are about to have a panic act and bolt on you and students who will be unable to continue.

I plan to take my instructor development course this spring and hopefully to begin as paid instructor at my local dive shop on a part time basis this summer.

You have big dreams, but you have to understand that you need to be an asset to a shop in order for them to pick you up and you need experience before any shop in a resort area will pick you up as they tend to develop talent in house.

i would never tell anyone not to follow there dream, just don't expect caviar dreams and to make big money as a dive instructor. Most instructors i know have day jobs during the week.

T.


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Hey mate,
From what I've heard/read getting a job as a DM/Instructor wouldn't be too difficult depending on where abouts you are looking for employment. Traveling to an overseas destination would probably be easier to get a job as DM's and Instructor are constantly going in/out.
I think getting a job on a cruise ship as an Instructor would be pretty difficult due to the competition. It would also be a job where you would need hundreds of dives under your belt as you would be responsible for so many people and cruise ship companies wood exactly take bad press light heartedly.
Cheers
-Mike



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Just do a search on SB and you will know what he means. This same question has been asked many many times by new divers. Slow down and just dive for awhile in as many environments as you can and if you still want to be an instructor great you will have some real world experience and make a better instructor.
 
Mike.D:
Hey mate,
From what I've heard/read getting a job as a DM/Instructor wouldn't be too difficult depending on where abouts you are looking for employment. Traveling to an overseas destination would probably be easier to get a job as DM's and Instructor are constantly going in/out.
I think getting a job on a cruise ship as an Instructor would be pretty difficult due to the competition. It would also be a job where you would need hundreds of dives under your belt as you would be responsible for so many people and cruise ship companies wood exactly take bad press light heartedly.
Cheers
-Mike



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yeah to be honest overseas would probably appeal to me more than working in the US just because I am always looking for my next big adventure and living in a different Country certainly seems like an adventure to me! As for being an Instructor on a Cruise ship I'm well aware of the competition and that's why I say it is my long term goal. I don't expect anything to happen overnight but I do believe with hard work you can achieve anything and that you set your own pace. But thanks for the feedback! :)

DiveMaster_Tom:
You have a really long way to go. I would recommend getting your certifications and working your way to DiveMaster, then assisting with classes for at least a year before deciding to go for instructor.

As a DM you will assist with the instruction without having the direct responsibility for all the paperwork that goes with the teaching. You will learn how to help students, how to spot students that are about to have a panic act and bolt on you and students who will be unable to continue.

I plan to take my instructor development course this spring and hopefully to begin as paid instructor at my local dive shop on a part time basis this summer.

You have big dreams, but you have to understand that you need to be an asset to a shop in order for them to pick you up and you need experience before any shop in a resort area will pick you up as they tend to develop talent in house.

i would never tell anyone not to follow there dream, just don't expect caviar dreams and to make big money as a dive instructor. Most instructors i know have day jobs during the week.

T.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
I will definitely take what you said into consideration about being a DM for at least a year before moving on to Instructor because you make some very solid points. I guess I am just so eager to get started I want to plan it all out right away and just go go go lol but at the same time I do want to be an experienced diver and not just someone who has cards but doesn't really know what they're doing. And I really would love to teach people and I realize I must first spend a lot of time learning and honing my skills. Thank you for your feedback!

---------- Post added February 8th, 2014 at 10:29 PM ----------
NorCalDM:
Just do a search on SB and you will know what he means. This same question has been asked many many times by new divers. Slow down and just dive for awhile in as many environments as you can and if you still want to be an instructor great you will have some real world experience and make a better instructor.
Click to expand...
I agree with you fully. I think I got a little ahead of myself with that post. But it was also why I was asking if maybe 1 year is to soon to just jump right into it and I'll refer to what Tom said about being a DM for a while before moving up to the next level. And I'm sure the extra experience I get won't hurt :D
 
I agree with all the slow it down posts. A plus is you mentioned you would love to teach people. Some want to become what we call "dive pros" because they "love to dive". I enjoy the little divemastering I do, but it's work. Diving is diving and teaching diving is teaching/responsibilities//ei. work. Have you done any teaching otherwise (maybe at summer camp, subbing, etc.)? Another thing to factor in is a some people really want to teach but aren't very good at it. Some young people opt to get into scuba instructing, etc. as a means to take a few short years to travel, etc., which is OK I guess. Making a career out of teaching scuba seems to be very difficult financially, so I read. All of our instructors have day jobs. I know it can be done, but. One can also opt to try to make a decent living as a musician. Not me--the safe route--teaching Band. You may want to consider commercial diving, but I hear it's dangerous, boring and takes a whole lot of training for something they say you can do for about 10 years. Good luck whichever you decide.
 
There is no money in being a dive master or instructor, so get a good job and then spend your money travelling the world diving.
 
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