| I have never worked in the diving industry, but I have worked as an outdoor instructor for quite a few years. For several years on a self-employed basis. I am now in my late twenties and I am retraining to be a solicitor, four years in to the study.
Whilst I don't regret the path that I chose, and I have learnt a lot about myself, it will never be enough to earn a decent living and if I'm honest I don't enjoy it that much anymore. You have to remember that the type of diving you will do for work is not the type of diving you would chose to do in your own spare time. To an extent this will probably dilute the enjoyment that you get from your sport in the long term.
My advice to you would be to either get the whole thing out of your system by going to do it for a year or so, under the understanding that it is a temporary lifestyle experience, or work hard in your job so that you can afford to do more/better diving in your spare time. You say that you are 19, without being patronising, if I were you I would go and have a ball for a year or so, and when you come back you'll be in no worse a position. Of course, this is dependant on how real the opportunities that are available in your current job are.
Just be realistic, and honest with yourself, and I'm sure that whatever choice you make will be the right one eventually.  |