Job Leads in Florida

[aujax]

Hi,

I'm going to be moving down to florida in the next week or two and will be pursuing my instructor's cert. I'm only OW right now, but would love to get a leg up in the job market. Anyone know of anyone looking for some full or part-time help in the dive industry or something related? I'd be willing to work for very little or for discounts (or nothing)! Also, if anyone knows of any websites where instructors can find jobs, I'd like to research it.

Thanks,
Aujax

 

[Wendy]

You are moving to Florida just to become a scuba instructor? You do realize that this is a state with a dive instructor around every corner right?

I don't know of any place hiring, sorry, but I do have a question....just curious, but you said that you are an ow diver, is that the only cert you hold? How long you been diving? Total dives? And where in Florida you moving too?

Welcome to the neighborhood.

 

[aujax]

yeah, I know what it's like. but I'm not going to be looking for work in florida. I'm going to look for work wherever I can find it - and will probably end up in the carribean. well, it can't be any worse than trying to work as a musician or an actor in NYC, which i've been doing for a while now. i just can't see myself doing something I hate for the rest of my life...

 

[aujax]

oh, and yes, OW is the only cert. i've got so far. And I've only got about 20 dives. I'm moving to Clearwater.

 

[Wendy]

Well Disney does occasionally hire DM's with at least 100 hours of bottom time, and I forgot how many dives, with O2 provider cert to work in The Living Seas.

 

[fgray1]

I got to tell you: Wendy I've read most of the post you make and I got to tell you. I'm damed impressed. You have class. You never put anyone down for any reson. Sorry to say I can't say the same about me and alot of other people on the boards. I gotto dive with you someday.

Now to the guy moving to Fla. There are plenty of jobs to be had in Fla. Just not in Diving. With your acting back ground you might be able to get a job at one of the parks and then after logging more dives and training land a diving job at Disney.
Just an Idea. But you would have to live somewhere near Orlando. Good luck and if your in the area and need a dive buddy I'm almost available every weekend, Just post on the board.

Fred

 

[CBulla]

Bush Gardens hires OW divers to, someone has to jump into the water stuffs and clean them, scold fish and such, and whatever else is needed.

 

[aujax]

for the advice - i know there are no jobs in FL for scuba, but what about the carribean? or elsewhere in the world?

 

[_Kurt_]

Of Wendy's first post- It would be highly recomended to have quite a bit more experience and a higher certification level to get a decent job in the industry. Maybe get a job as a mate on a dive boat? Learn as you work? How about cruise ships going in and out of Florida?

Yes, I agree- Wendy is a great ambassador for Scubaboard and the dive industry. I have had the pleasure of meeting her. She doesn't talk down to anyone, and is patient and takes her time explaining things to people (first you put you right foot in to your wetsuit... ). NetDoc falls in the same category, as well.

 

[aujax]

well, the shop I'm planning to get my instructor's card from has its own dive boat and they have all their divemaster students crew on the boat. i think i'll just try and get as much experience as possible with diving and boats and every aspect of the industry, volunteering to work if necessary. i'm on unemployment for the next seven months and will be staying with my aunt in Tampa - she's not charging me much at all to stay with her so I'll have the money and time to study and dive as much as I possibly can.

i could probably take some pointers from wendy. i realize it takes a great deal of patience to teach the average scuba student who is falling all over the coral and forgets to breathe as he ascends.