Are there any academics who...

[namabiru]

chucked it all and became OW instructors?

I'm wondering, because I'm thinking about doing it.

I'll finish my Masters degree in Library Science in a month, and I've been applying for jobs left and right, but no calls or even e-mails of interest. With my current Graduate Assistant position, which requires me to sit at a desk for long hours staring at a computer and endure a boss who has been very generous but can be a bit overwhelming, as well as the realization that I'll probably have to endure more of that if and when I get my first job, I just don't know if I can do it or not. Since returning to the States last August, all of my thoughts have been that I want back out. The expat life really grabs you, I think.

Then again, if I wanted to get into my profession 10 years from now, how are employers going to look at the idea that I abandoned my profession right after getting the degree and went off on what some might consider "a wandering lark"? I actually had some chain-on-her-glasses, bun-wearing self-proclaimed super librarian tell me that spending 3 years in Japan on the JET Program maybe wasn't the best use of my time (the Japan bit, not the JET part. JET was easy income). I would certainly hope she's in the minority faction...

My idea is that I want to pursue a career in International Librarianship. I want to build services in places that don't have them, and I want to be able to help people reach information. While working in a public library or established academic library would be nice, I just don't know if that's what I want to do now. The whole idea of getting my OWSI was that I would have another trade to fall back on, with some income. I also recently found out I can get my TEFL inexpensively via a online course, so this would be a further qualification.

So are there any other divers out there who have done this? Am I crazy for thinking that I'm only young once, so if I want to move to Thailand and get my OWSI and then work as an OWSI, maybe do ESL on the side and at the same time do some volunteer work in my field, I should do it? I'm single, I'm trying to pare down my possessions, and have no obligations to a significant other.

Or have I just gone coocoo from too much studying and school, so this dream has manifested from the need to take a break?

A bit heavy topic, but it's really been on my mind. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[fisherdvm]

As someone who changed career choices 4 or 5 times, I would say, do it only if you can afford it. Library science is a field that I find interesting, but you might just be a little burned out.

Consider the peace corp, americorp, or other service organizations that could use your skill. Get your bearings back, and hopefully you will have a better chance at government openings.

As a woman in a male dominiated field, you might find OW instruction to be tougher than you think. And as other instructors have pointed out, doing pool and ow dives all day is not a pleasant day on the reefs.

How about taking a few months off, get your instructor cert down, and continue to look for a job in librabry science. At least you get a taste of life as an instructor.

 

[KazooDiver]

I don't see why you can't do both!

When you were told that your time in Japan might have not been worth it...I say the more rounded as an individual you are the better you person(human) you become!

One of my instructor friends is a Echocardio Tech during the day and she teaches at night and on the weekends and such.... She loves it.

 

[cudachaser]

I was a NASA engineer until I took an early out retirement 2 years ago. Right after I got my job with NASA, I almost immediately went for my first instructor's. I worked for NASA and taught part-time thru much of my NASA career. Now that I have left NASA in the past...I'm still teaching. This career outlasted my NASA career and I'm still going strong in spite of having a fairly significant disability!

 

[SteveDiver]

If you can "afford" to change then go ahead. It all depends on what your career aspirations are. Although, many of us would like to be OW-Instructors reality is that it is difficult to make a living as an OW-Instructor unless you have a second income.

I would rather not work where I play.... to me, diving is recreational and if I had to do it to make a living I would be afraid that it would take the excitement out of diving.

 

[fisherdvm]

I think Mikeferrera was an engineer to begin with, went and taught scuba diving, then eventually became a ferrier.

I have heard doctors becoming carpenters, engineers becoming carpenters, engineers becoming lawyers, etc... But don't give up on your career too quickly. You will need to pass through 2 or 3 employers before you'd find one you like.

 

[FFMDiver]

Stay in school, the masters degree is now baseline. If not, the chump next to you who finishes might just be your boss...

 

[namabiru]

Thank you all, for your thoughts so far, and for not thinking me completely insane!

I did some more hunting around, and realized that I just may be a few months out of school before I find work as a librarian. I'm also basing that on speaking with two December graduates, who are still looking for work. They did start before graduation, as I'm doing now, but so far nada.

So that's why I was thinking--instead of hanging about, bored, applying for anything that doesn't ask for experience whether I truly want to do it or not (and getting stuck in a job I didn't want to do very badly just to get experience), why not go off somewhere, keep my eyes on the job market, retain my professional memberships and stay current, submit resume/cover letters for things I see that I'd like to do, and see what happens. Meanwhile, maybe get some volunteer work in at a local library that could use my help, which is the type of work I want to do anyway--build libraries or improve libraries in places that can find the materials, but not the trained help--or someone willing to help them. It'll be ironic to say, but the skills of American-trained librarians are very much in demand. But, in other words, go live and enjoy my life, instead of waiting around for work, drinking beer and armchair diving.

See, here was the other thing. I want to live overseas permanently. I was looking at immigrating to New Zealand. But countries like that, a lot of the jobs won't let you apply for jobs within the country unless you already have a work permit. Okay, you go to immigration, they won't let you apply for a work permit unless you have a job offer... okey dokey... a never-ending cycle.

I'd also work in Australia. A lot of Japanese tourists go to the GBR. I speak Japanese, and can certainly work to improve. I know this makes me marketable in the dive industry, at least. Find a position in Australia, be there as a dive instructor, look for library jobs, maybe find one, and as I have a work permit I can be hired. I've also heard that the Philippines is a hotbed for Japanese divers. Makes sense, as Manila is a 4-hour flight from Narita.

Heck, even Guam package tours are popular for Japanese. Saw them in the paper all the time. As I've got an American passport, I'd also have an easier time getting there. Although, yeah, cost of living is just like the States.

That was the grand scheme. Try to fulfill my dream of being a librarian in a foreign country by finding work through the dive industry, which I've gathered is a slightly-more flexible job market. Going in through the back door, or a door easier to open, so to speak. Just wondering if I'm being a crackpot and forgetting something, though.

I also have ESL experience, and found an inexpensive TEFL course on the Internet, and I'd be willing to get certified if it meant I could pick up a few hours work in evenings to pay my food bill.

As far as living the non-material life, I already do that. I'm a Grad. Student, and I budget pretty strictly. I don't go out to bars or to eat (although I'd love to), I don't rent movies, I don't buy clothes, or books (that one's hard, as the librarian!). Grocery shopping is about $20 a week, no more than $30. No trips down the chips/candy/pop/booze/porn aisles. And you know what? Few possessions life, I love it!!!

Have you watched Office Space, the movie? I laughed hysterically through it. That's.... how I'm feelin' now. An 'oh god' sense of doom. *LOL*

Glad it's not a weird idea. I'll keep looking for places Any recommendations, let me know. Show me your wares, so to speak.

 

[namabiru]

Stay in school, the masters degree is now baseline. If not, the chump next to you who finishes might just be your boss...

Oh, no, there's no doubt I'll be getting my degree. I'm about 5 weeks from completion. Dropping out now, when I don't get a refund, would be, well, crackpot-ish.

Well, what I'm doing for now is I'll continue to submit applications like I was. I have an interview with King County Public Library (Seattle) on the 10th, when they come to Tucson. Who knows, maybe something will come of it. If that happens, I can always work for a year or two there, clear up the rest of my student debt (which is small), stash some more cash, then re-evaluate my options.

Meanwhile I'm also shopping for a place to train.

I'm thinking flexibility is the key here. I've submitted a lot of applications, where they'll start doing evaluations soon, so I'll know more in a little while. Initial round since Christmas, though, haven't heard anything.

 

[fisherdvm]

You should look at substitute teaching... It will help pay the bill while you get your dive training. Check at locum tenens places for possible short term jobs - if it is for some vacancies, you might get a good shot at filling the slots.

There are many opportunities for someone with a background like yours.