Moving On Up the Pro Level

[Laurie S.]

This was a good week, just found out that I have been upgraded in my certifications. I am now an Assistant Instructor.

Next year, hopefully, I'll make Open Water Instructor.

 

[tbone1004]

congrats! Only thing I can say is that you should make sure you get a lot of time behind other instructors to see their teaching styles and what you like and don't like about each.

Remember also that as a dive pro, you need time underwater for you. Dedicated some play time to solo dive and just relax and remember why you got started in the first place. It's very easy to forgo fun diving when you get into it professionally and you don't want to get burned out

 

[Laurie S.]

Good advice, thanks!

 

[tbone1004]

oh, same goes for agencies. You may or may not like the philosophies of one agency or another etc. Look at your long term goals and work backwards before you commit to anything. Being an AI opens up a huge amount of doors for you, but while you are sharing your passion with others, there are many different ways to do it and each agency has a slightly different take. Find the one that aligns with what you want to do and go from there. You'll never get rich doing this, so it is truly a labor of love.

 

[tstormdiver]

congrats! Only thing I can say is that you should make sure you get a lot of time behind other instructors to see their teaching styles and what you like and don't like about each.

Remember also that as a dive pro, you need time underwater for you. Dedicated some play time to solo dive and just relax and remember why you got started in the first place. It's very easy to forgo fun diving when you get into it professionally and you don't want to get burned out

Absolutely correct!

 

[Laurie S.]

I actually started out in SSI and went to the level of Master Diver there. I then switched over to PADI, a little over five years ago. I'm not looking to work for anyone because I work with my husband who is an MSDT. He's been teaching for more than 40 years and lives fulltime in San Carlos, Mexico. We have our own boat down there and we want to start taking out more students and working together. I'm not down there fulltime, but I get down there as often as I can from Tucson.

 

[TMHeimer]

San Carlos--on Golfo de California? Shell collecting allowed? PM me if so.

 

[Keith.M]

This was a good week, just found out that I have been upgraded in my certifications. I am now an Assistant Instructor.

Next year, hopefully, I'll make Open Water Instructor.

This post is confusing to me.

How did you "just find out"?

I mean, I've taken my share of classes. Own lots of certs... Enrolled in the DM and went through that and past it. Nobody is going to just tell me, congratulations! You are now an AI!

I would have to enroll, and PAY, to be in an AI or OWSI course. I would never be surprised by an announcement that I am now "X" certified!

 

[Laurie S.]

Where did I say I was surprised? A review of what I have done towards the AI program was done on Wednesday and it was determined that I have met all my requirements. I was pretty sure that was the case and so I inquired of my instructor.

I entered the Instructor program late last year and paid for all the course materials. I'm in no hurry to complete it, since my primary occupation is as an archaeologist and business owner.

 

[hroark2112]

Excellent!! :grouphug: