are there jobs for freshly qualified Divemasters?

[scubaskipper]

You didn't say what you did before you wanted to change jobs. If it was sales or maybe computer or web design, etc... you might be in luck. This seems to be an area of great need in the business. If you can repair compressors or outboards also would be of great advantage. You could more easily get a job that would pay enough to go diving and not be an insured baby sitter/ vomit cleaner/marine head unplugger.

 

[b-man]

You could more easily get a job that would pay enough to go diving and not be an insured baby sitter/ vomit cleaner/marine head unplugger.

lol - I guess after a while the novelty wears off eh and you have days where it does really seem like work! Same dive site again. 100th time, different annoying clients!

haha. I cant quite really see it in myself though yet, my freshfaced enthusiasm is still too strong.

My previous job was a computer engineer / support technician, maybe you are right. I hope you are right about there being a need, that would make life a lot simpler. I could just go round local businesses and offer my services on a consultancy basis. then maybe DM volunteer for experience the rest of the week when not doing paid work.

I like the idea of making a proper living out of marine life though. A career change was a big part of the plan after all. And sustainability is key. I cant imagine how hard it would be to go diving for 6 months only to realise that I had to go back to the uk in winter and work in a bank again!

Having a computer engineering background, I could happily become the repair guy. Maybe getting down and speaking to the local fishing community will be the thing to do. Find out about painting boats / repairing stuff. Someone mentioned repairing compressors etc. I will definenately try to learn to do that. Is that a padi course or something you just have to learn from someone informally?
Are there any industry standards to aim for if I wanted to learn Diesel engine mechanics ? I have never minded a bit of time with the oily rags. Thinking I may even pack my boiler suit - better go and give the damn thing a wash then...

part of me quite likes the fact that this wont be a walk in the park to get into the proffession. Makes it all the more desirable, a proper challenge. my granddad used to say, "nothing that is ever worthwhile comes easy"

 

[DevonDiver]

lol - I guess after a while the novelty wears off eh and you have days where it does really seem like work! Same dive site again. 100th time that month, different annoying clients! still have to fill cylinders, clean the kit, do some servicing, plan the next day's boat roster... once I've finished having a beer with them and the customers go,.... up at 5am to get back into work and set up the equipment rentals, prepare the boat, check the weather, fax the coastguard... make sure I look bright and fresh when the customers turn up several hours later...

haha. I cant quite really see it in myself though yet, my freshfaced enthusiasm is still too strong.

You've got to love diving. Otherwise you will burn out.

You'll be diving when your tired, when you're sick, when you're grumpy, when you've got family/relationship problems.... and you have to be professional, friendly, enthusiastic and energetic every second of every day.

There'll be customers that you love. There'll be customers that do nothing but moan. There'll be customers that scare you... or endanger you. You've gotta smile at them all...be helpful and willing.

You'll be diving day-in, day-out... on the same sites. The enthusiasm will run thin. You've got to dig deep inside yourself and remember what you love about the job...and being underwater. You've got to find the motivation inside yourself to wake up every morning before sunrise and be excited about the coming day.

It can be hard..... but if you do love diving, then you'll have the motivation.

There's been times when I've been absolutely dog-tired, worked 14 days straight, dumped by my girlfriend, not had chance to grab breakfast or lunch, recovering from illness, screwed over by my boss, not an ounce of energy..... but I find the ability to run on pure enthusiasm. I love it.

Whether you love diving that much.... will only become apparant in time.

 

[b-man]

Cheers Andy, 5am starts eh? blimey!

Yep, Its great to have these things pointed out. Its hard to envision what life will be like in a new career, and people who live it day in day out can tell you straight up..

I think I will enjoy the people aspect and the open air part of the job too. I love people, and enjoy the challenge of cheering up the most miserable of spoilt stressed overpaid and overcaffinated pain in the ass!
Making each other feel good is what life is all about anyway right? Leaving people feeling a bit better about life and themselves makes me happy, feels good to change a persons day from . My job for years doing support in high pressure environments like top city law firms, london stock exchange and other trade floors, and you had to be under peoples desks getting shouted at and having unreasonable demands made by angry people loosing millions of pounds an hour and smile back and remain cheerful day in day out. I recon I can handle a few awkward customers. The dangerous ones, well thats another issue. Hopefully there will be some good training on that area of things and I guess I can always ask guidance from my trainer / course director. Other than that it comes with experience I suppose.

I hear you when you say it is hard. I guess thats the nature of work. You have to do it even when you don't want to. Gotta say though that the thought of being outside, in nature, amongst all that beauty, away from the fumes of taxis and the rudeness of stressed office workers shoving to get on the central line at 6pm is just a dream for me at the moment. If it means I have to work two jobs and get up at 5am I guess I will do it. I'll probably have the odd grumble when the alarm clock goes off if still lucky enough to have a job in the industry this time next year but as you say It can be hard..... but if you do love diving, then you'll have the motivation.

 

[DevonDiver]

Cheers Andy, 5am starts eh? blimey!

In truth, the hours vary depending on the operation and location - but the hours are consistently long.

In Thailand, I worked at one centre where the am boat departed at 7am. I was at work before sunrise every day. There's plenty of things that need doing before the customers arise. The pm dive boat returned by 5pm. Then the kit still needed to be washed and stored. Then log books filled in...and a social beverage with the customers. After they left, the dive center had to be cleaned and kit prepared for the next day. Dive staff were also expected to remain at the centre until it closed at 8pm..so that they could 'meet and greet' potential walk-in / walk-past customers.

In the Philippines, I worked at a dive centre (as manager) were I started work at 7am. We prepped all the equipment, submitted our schedules with the harbour master, loaded the boat with cylinders and eventually greeting customers around 8am. Boat typically left around 8.30-9am. The day's diving ended by 6pm. Logbooks and beverages with the customers. Once they left for a meal and a shower, the staff still had to get the centre cleaned, pump the tanks, wash, dry and store the kit, re-fuel the boat, answer emails, do the accounting, process and burn photos (for customers who rented cameras)...deal with walk-in and telephone enquiries etc etc. Typically, I locked the doors at 10pm.

As an instructor... I had to fit classroom lessons into that schedule also...often in the evenings.

Both jobs were essentially 7-days-a-week.

 

[b-man]

yep blimey - that's a long day, make no mistake. Doing it 7 days a week you gotta really love it too. I mean we all like a rest right, no matter how great your job is!

I guess though, hearing you talk about doing it you think "well are these people insane?" and then you begin to remember just how great diving is. And in the Philippines must have been superb. I guess you justify the tough bits by the outstanding enjoyment and beauty that you take in every day.

Still, hats off to anyone that can work from 7am till 10pm at night, 7 days a week. We can all do it occasionally but to do it month in month out - that's pretty epic feat.

 

[DevonDiver]

On the plus side... topless Swedish teenagers sunbathing on the beach in front of the dive shop. Why take a day off?

 

[b-man]

god bless the man who invented sunglasses

 

[b-man]

Someone mentioned repairing compressors etc. I will definenately try to learn to do that. Is that a padi course or something you just have to learn from someone informally?
Are there any industry standards to aim for if I wanted to learn Diesel engine mechanics ?

Do any of you good folk know the answer to either of these questions?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

There is no PADI compressor repair course. You would need to contact a manufacturer of high pressure compressors and see what they offer or suggest in the way of training. I would guess a trade school would do for either. And a diesel engine is a diesel engine. Some are just a lot bigger than others.