Considering Diving As A Career...

[sgurino]

My name's Paolo, italian, and I' very much like you to answer some questions I have about diving.
I'm 31 and I never dived. Actually I'm going to start my OW course in Barcelona, Spain, in about a week.
I am seriously taking into consideration the possibility of starting a dive career.
I've always worked in the tourism industry, I've been an airline passenger service agent in London and Barcelona airports, and also worked for a few luxury hotels. I am litterally sick of these jobs behind a desk, with piles of paper work, and hours behind a pc.
So, here are my questions about a dive career:
- On the medical paper I'm fit enough, but I know it's not going to be like in my 20's. Do you think that being 32 and just have taken an MSDT qualification (with so little experience compared to other same aged people), may give me problems to find a job?
-How much experience do you need before you get a well paid job? Do you think 2 years of hard work may be good enough for a job in a cruise? Less? More?
-Have you ever worked in a diving cruise? how is it?
-Once an instructor, would you identify a particular career path to follow? Maybe having certain qualifications may make you more employable than others?
-I have seen a school that organizes 6 month internships in Pattaya, Thailand, it's called Mermaid's Dive Centre, and seemed to be a good place to start from. Do you know anything about this CDC?
-I've also seen a place in Phi Phi Island which hasn't got the same level of qualification, but offers a divemaster course in exchange for 5 month unpaid work. In order to gain good employments in this industry, how important is it to take your divemaster in particularly qualified centers, like CDCs, for example?

My questions came to an end I know I may seem to be very fussy, and I apologize if this bothers you, but I want to keep my feet on the floor and have a rough idea of what's behind the door before I open it...
I'm actually very exited from such a big change in my life, but I'd feel more relaxed if you gave me some good news.
Thank you very very much for your help and time!
...and maybe we'll meet one day in some dive resort!

Warm regards,

Paolo

 

[divermatt]

 

[lamont]

I was all ready to make a post about how it was a pretty bad idea, but...

I've always worked in the tourism industry, I've been an airline passenger service agent in London and Barcelona airports, and also worked for a few luxury hotels. I am litterally sick of these jobs behind a desk, with piles of paper work, and hours behind a pc.

...okay, why not. the diving part probably won't be the difficult issue, you can actually get a professional certification like DM or instructor way too quickly. the harder part will be transferring your current work experience to a job in the cruise industry which involves diving. i have no idea what they're looking for there, but since you're already in the tourism industry you should have the background...

 

[JessH]

If you really want to do it then you need to get as much experience as you can diving. I suggest doing your open water, making sure you like it and then diving like there is no tomorrow. During this time you can take the recreational classes that you will need to have in order to start taking professional classes (Rescue Diver, Advanced OW, etc...) Once you start feeling very comfortable in the water, make sure that this is what you really want to do with your life and evaluate your options for further training, etc....

~Jess

 

[Ruminari]

another interested vote for more info.

 

[Scotty g]

OK Paulo, here goes...info on the way...

I am 30 and going to Thailand in January 07 to Mermaids for a CDC experience. I am basically doing the same as a respected friend Lisa (Sireneta) is - see thread... http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=134342&highlight=mermaids

I havce choosen Mermaids because of the good reputation it has (i have anonymously researched their business extensively along with other Thailand CDCs over the past 16 months). I have had outstanding communication from their 'email' associate and every single email has been well presented and to the point. I personally have no reservations about the authenticity of Mermaids in Pattaya.

Personally being a total newbie to this activity i have wanted to gain an overview of satisfaction in what kind of life i was interested in. I did my O/W to confirm i was happy with being underwater and learning the basics - having endless conversations with my Instructor (who is also a nurse) who is happy to support my endeavour in my choices. Like you, i have a 9-5 job and am seriously getting fed up with shuffling papers and no prospects.

I have choosen this path because although my job is boring, it is very stable (who has just granted me a 6 month career break for my ambitions!!), and i have no wife, children or commmitments that prevent me from going. I am heading for the sun and 6 months of enjoyment and experience without the worry of leaving anything behind apart from my family and friends ( who are of the utmost support for my decisions).

I have no doubt that i will be flamed for possbly fast-tracking the experience. My point is that i am in a position to do this and i shall do it with the utmost interest. Being asthmatic to a very mild point, i have taken advantage of working hard with my fitness and finances this last 10 years and am prepared to learn, listen and experience a lifetime dream. If you you have nothing holding you back and you have the money to invest in a lifetime opportunity, then go for it!

There are downsides and i'm sure many on the SB will agree - getting a career will make you tear your hair out. You may work for a while at the basics of food water and shelter to be given a chance of developing yourself to getting paid for living in the sun and spending a lot of time in the water and witnessing many peoples first experiences of breathing underwater! Dont expect to be rich and dont expect an easy ride. But the plus point is, you have a great deal of people, including these on SB, who will ALWAYS be availiable for discussion on any aspect of SCUBA diving that you can think of!!!!

If you have any further questions about CDC's in Thailand then please feel free to PM.

Scotty

 

[girldiverllc]

I took my OW course with the goal of eventually being an instructor and living in a tropical paradise for the rest of my life. Well, alot of tropical paradises...as I knew that in the Scuba Industry I would have the chance to change locations and the changes would be welcomed. (unlike climbing the corporate ladder where stability is a good thing...)

After Open Water I worked closely with my local dive shop, who had a Master Instructor Trainer on staff that could do most of my training. I logged over 200 dives on my way to becoming an instructor. Luckily, the training that I received required ALOT of time working with students...not just role playing. So, when I got my Instructor Certification, teaching a class was not something new.

Since beginning my journey, I did discover some things that veered my career path.

I managed a successful dive center for awhile...only to find out that the manager gets to run the store so that other people can dive.

I went on tropical vacations...only to find out that the life of a DM or Instructor in a tourist area involves ALOT of work. It's not kicking back on the beach, but rather catering to vacationing divers from dawn to dusk...then refilling tanks and getting the gear ready for the next day.

I do teach. Love teaching. Love watching my students take their first breath of air underwater. Nothing more rewarding in the world. And I've found a way to make my teaching actually PAY. That's something that becomes an art in this profession.

Along my journey, my passion for underwater and my encounters with other female divers took my plans in a new direction. I found a need in the industry that wasn't being addressed. Something I was passionate about. So, that's where my career is now. Promoting the scuba lifestyle to female divers around the globe.

I'm still on my journey. Best of luck with yours. I think that a career in diving is hugely rewarding...and the experiences you will gain are second to none.

Cindy
http://www.girldiver.com

 

[Ringo]

Paulo, a career in the Diving Industry is extremely rewarding for the right person.

However I would be very cautious with the free labour in exchange for diving courses programmes offerred by some DC's. You would not be treated as fairly as a paying customer and not to mention that in Thailand it is becoming more difficult to work without a work permit.
Also Visas are presently a huge issue here. For info check out http://www.thaivisa.com

Phi Phi and Pattaya is not as strict as Phuket but the Thai Officials are seriously looking into the DC's and their employees with regards to working legally in Thailand.

Otherwise an advantage for you would be your language skills.

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[Scotty g]

Paulo, a career in the Diving Industry is extremely rewarding for the right person.

However I would be very cautious with the free labour in exchange for diving courses programmes offerred by some DC's. You would not be treated as fairly as a paying customer and not to mention that in Thailand it is becoming more difficult to work without a work permit.

Good luck whatever you decide!

Good advice. I would be very cautious of offering myself as labour in exchange for certification. If your serious about doing this, then make sure you have a good savings plan and can fully fund the CDC without the risk of working illegally.

Scotty