Scuba Jobs

[jdm_diver]

I will be finishing school shortly and would like to expand my scuba knowledge by becoming an instructor and working for a dive shop. Are there any resources that I can look at that will tell me where openings are, I am interested in Florida and Texas. I will be getting my Business degree and am interested in someday opening or running a dive shop or operation. Any help with contacts or steps I should take would be helpfull. Also is this a realistic career or just a job that would be fun to have for a while.



Thanks
JD

 

[TexasMike]

Of all the instructors that I know, scuba instruction is not their full time job.

From what I hear, instructors instruct more due to their love of the sport and a passion to share it with others. The pay is relatively marginal.

Also, going on the fast track to instructor (in otherwords, completing the minimum dives to take the next level of instruction) does not a good instructor make. Personally, I would log a whole lot of dives before investigating instructor level. Also talk with a bunch of instructors and such to get their take on it.

As far as opening up a dive center, this too requires lots of dive experience, since new and experienced divers alike are going to ask your advice on a whole world of stuff and will expect knowledgeable answers.

So, IMPO, I'd say go get a great job with that biz degree that provides you a good starting salary and lots of vacation time, dive every chance you get, and then later on think about turning "pro".

 

[Drew Sailbum]

While its true that dive instruction will never pay as well as many other occupations, there are those of us who make a living that way. First rule of making a living at diving is to work where the dive season runs year round.

Finding a dive job requires tapping various resources. Develop relationships with working instructors and divemasters. Those relationships will open many doors when looking for a job.

You should also pay attention to job openings posted online at the various agencies' web sites. PADI has extensive listings, and some other agencies have job sections as well.

Random emails of your resume to dive shops and resorts before peak season for their area is another strategy that does pay off with job leads.

Finally, many centers that train dive instructors maintain a list of contacts that can start you down the right path. PADI has a designation, Career Development Center (CDC), for some of these high volume instructor training shops. Some CDC's have job placement assistance as well.