career switch?

[rusky4u]

I wonder if anyone here lived the experience of having a “ordinarily” job (not dive related) and decided to be 100% pro in the dive industry, either instructing, DM, LDS…or any other dive related job?

Why / How did it happen?
How extreme was that career change?
If you look back to the “previous” way of life now, how do you feel?
This is not “market research” for my own thoughts and decisions, I just would like to know why/how did it happen and how you are doing! Hopefully ok!

 

[rmediver2002]

I was in the military and saw a advertisment for Army Diving, the thought of it sounded so exciting and so much better than anything I had done to that point.

I fell in love with it and would not consider doing anything outside the Marine / diving industry if given the choice.


Jeff Lane

 

[DivePartner1]

Beware of being paid for your pleasure, lest it lose its appeal.

I'm sure some of us have come across a few--dive shop owners, instructors, resort DMs--who quit their day jobs for the glamor of a dive career only to become bitter and learn to hate diving and the divers upon whom they must rely.

Imagine developing perfect expertise while being condemned--day in and day out--to dive with newbies or deal with certified divers that don't do it enough to be competent. And there is also the substantial challenge of operating a small business in a rescession-senstive field. That can't be for everyone.

When my friends asked why I don't cash out and open a restaurant or dive shop I tell them its because I like cooking and diving and don't want to learn to hate them.

 

[landlocked]

DivePartner1 once bubbled...
Beware of being paid for your pleasure, lest it lose its appeal.

Think carefully before turning your hobbies into work. Hey, I used to like computers! Now if you come up to me on a Sunday and start a sentance with "My computer..." you will probably get slapped! :upset:

 

[Fetch]

This is also a matter of perspective I used to do phone tech support for $7/hr, and felt pretty much like landlocked expressed. OTOH, my job now as an administrator pays me properly, and is more along the lines of what I enjoy doing. Consequently, I don't mind helping others in the field, and I still administer computers as a hobby.

So, I guess what I'm saying, if you're a dive professional and you focus on an area where you enjoy the work itself (DM'ing advanced wreck dives, or something) and were properly paid, you might not ever lose your love for it. You know, its still "work" and you're paid for it, but it doesn't feel like "work". Working with fresh OW students, OTOH, is just that: work. Grindingly dull, stupefying, etc. (Unless you just love teaching ). One DI I know expresses it with extreme detachment and a fondness for hitting on females in his classes.

my 2 cents

jeff

landlocked once bubbled...
Think carefully before turning your hobbies into work. Hey, I used to like computers! Now if you come up to me on a Sunday and start a sentance with "My computer..." you will probably get slapped! :upset:

 

[rmediver2002]

I guess everyone has some type of vocation that is more appealing to them, I am just glad I found mine...

I just wanted to comment on the teaching end of it, I don't think there is anything like exposing someone to a new experience for the first time, basic open water, wreck diving, decompression, hardhat. There is always more to learn and always new people to teach it to...The look of satisfaction on someones face when they master a new task makes it worth doing.


Hope everyone is able to find something that does not make them feel like they are just trudging through life...


Jeff

 

[Drew Sailbum]

I was a lab jockey, doing biomedical research. It was a high security environment with an extraordinarily high stress level.

I am now doing what I want to do. I picked up and moved overseas to dive. First move was to Malta to complete instructor level training. Second move was to Cayman. Next... ?

There is no way I could go back to my old life now. The change of occupation brought a dramatic change of lifestyle.

 

[caymancase]

I made the move away from the "9-5" life (more like 5-9) 3 years ago. Although I'm much poorer in the pocket, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's not for everyone, but it suits me. Yep, I have to go diving everyday... poor me! Beats a desk job anyday!

 

[DivePartner1]

And sometimes it's possible to have it both ways. I like my work but diving offers a whole other --and completely unrelated--dimension. Sort of scaling the boundaries that define us.