Hi All,
I got certified as a DM last year with the aim of using it as a way to sustain a small income while travelling but looks like this is a more realistic goal at an instructor level.
I work remotely and can do as long as I have a spare 5 hours each day and have done so with no problems even while keeping a full time job, my only issue doing this while travelling is getting a decent wifi signal where I stay or (in this case, work). Eventually this will support me full time but at this stage I need to do paid work for 6 month a year leaving me the rest of the year to travel but I had a few queries to ask experienced instructors, dive operators or people in the same situation.
I've contacted a few dive schools with these queries but they seem to tell me whatever I want to hear (perhaps in order to sell an instructor course) so thought I'd ask the community instead.
1. What is the best way to get work after your instructor course?
2. Should you do your course at a place you want to apply for work at when you are certified?
3. Can I do an instructor course, get certified then come back and look for work as an inexperienced instructor in 8 month's time? And if not
4. Is there any other course between DM and OWSI that will further me towards instructor qualifications, are cheaper (and will allow me to get a stack of dives in as part of the deal (I saw Assistant Instructor but not sure how worthwhile this is to do)
5. How feasible is it to 'work seasonally' (e.g. work in the high season, go home the rest of the year)
I need to make the right decision now as the falling Australian dollar has sunk my expense budget. I hope I've explained my reasons for wanting a career in diving clearly, I would assume many professional would question my commitment to teaching and with these other commitments at hand but I am more than able to carry my weight in a team while managing other goals as well.
Thanks a million
I got certified as a DM last year with the aim of using it as a way to sustain a small income while travelling but looks like this is a more realistic goal at an instructor level.
I work remotely and can do as long as I have a spare 5 hours each day and have done so with no problems even while keeping a full time job, my only issue doing this while travelling is getting a decent wifi signal where I stay or (in this case, work). Eventually this will support me full time but at this stage I need to do paid work for 6 month a year leaving me the rest of the year to travel but I had a few queries to ask experienced instructors, dive operators or people in the same situation.
I've contacted a few dive schools with these queries but they seem to tell me whatever I want to hear (perhaps in order to sell an instructor course) so thought I'd ask the community instead.
1. What is the best way to get work after your instructor course?
2. Should you do your course at a place you want to apply for work at when you are certified?
3. Can I do an instructor course, get certified then come back and look for work as an inexperienced instructor in 8 month's time? And if not
4. Is there any other course between DM and OWSI that will further me towards instructor qualifications, are cheaper (and will allow me to get a stack of dives in as part of the deal (I saw Assistant Instructor but not sure how worthwhile this is to do)
5. How feasible is it to 'work seasonally' (e.g. work in the high season, go home the rest of the year)
I need to make the right decision now as the falling Australian dollar has sunk my expense budget. I hope I've explained my reasons for wanting a career in diving clearly, I would assume many professional would question my commitment to teaching and with these other commitments at hand but I am more than able to carry my weight in a team while managing other goals as well.
Thanks a million