Is there a career in diving???????

[Clare Gledhill]

Originally Posted by lostdiver

I'm 19 years old and worked for 2years up until last October in a local dive shop. I loved the job but the money was terrible! I had to leave to get something that meant i could afford to live and dive (we all know diving isn't cheap).

What i want to know though is do i pack my job in as a well paid currency broker, which I don't really enjoy as is all office based, for a low paying job in the diving industry? If so what jobs are there in the diving industry that mean I can climb through the ranks, and are there there any that would eventually pay a near decent wage?

All thoughts welcome, I'm really looking for another angle.

P.S if anyone is looking for someone with half a brain to come and work for them, I have references and hungry sales mind, please get in contact.

No Ben. Work at your present job until you earn enough to afford your diving in your spare time. That way you keep your hobby too

[neilh]

Originally Posted by lostdiver

What i want to know though is do i pack my job in as a well paid currency broker, which I don't really enjoy as is all office based, for a low paying job in the diving industry? If so what jobs are there in the diving industry that mean I can climb through the ranks, and are there there any that would eventually pay a near decent wage?

Just a thought from me - I looked into working in the dive industry when I was made redundant a while ago. I was (am!) really into diving and thought it would be great. However personally I decided what I actually enjoyed was having diving as a hobby with no pressure (ho ho). In the end I decided I didn't want to dive for a living, I wanted a job that would support my diving, family, etc.

If you really want to work in the industry then I'm sure you'll get a job and be very happy - there are plenty who are, but it sounds like you won't be raking it in.

I wonder whether it's more a case that you're just not enjoying your current job but do enjoy diving? Perhaps just look at other career options?

[Sipadan]

sad fact of life, if a job is enjoyable (and i really mean enjoyable as opposed to just ok), you wouldn't need to pay anyone to do it.

[Scubee]

There are a couple of Course Directors who teach as a full time job on (I think) a sort of freelance, slef employed basis. It must pay 'enough' or they wouldn't do it. But my 'enough' is probably different to your 'enough'.

Vonny - you may be poorer in money, but i bet you are richer in yourself.

[neilh]

Originally Posted by Sipadan

sad fact of life, if a job is enjoyable (and i really mean enjoyable as opposed to just ok), you wouldn't need to pay anyone to do it.

Depends whether you need a job to earn a living or not I guess. There are plenty of volunteers that do jobs part time for the love of it - but they still have to eat

[Mr_Brown]

NO! do it for fun. working and diving dont mix. well you won't become a rich man anyway. can be quite rewarding teaching diving but not monetry.

[teddybeardiver]

Originally Posted by NARKEDAT30

No ! I know of a UK dive school that pays its staff in 'credits' that are redeemable in their shop.........how do you make a living from that!!!!!!!

And schools that pay you nothing at all and expect you to pay your own expenses (even instructors) for the certifications you get!

How do you make a living when it costs you to work?

Needless to say I only worked for them for a VERY short time.

[gwilson]

Originally Posted by Sipadan

sad fact of life, if a job is enjoyable (and i really mean enjoyable as opposed to just ok), you wouldn't need to pay anyone to do it.

I must be lucky then as i really enjoy my job, i get satisfaction from it, work with a great bunch of guys and get 6 months a year off, even the location is good and never a dull moment.

[hammerheads]

Teaching diving is not a great way to make money i think you need to be multiple agency with some teccy stuff as well to keep busy but teaching has a lot of expenses and profit margins on courses are very poor unless you get quite a few students on the course. One student courses dont pay in fact they will cost you money to teach if you do it properly.

Beware of some schools I can think of a school that seriously takes the rise. Instructors working for free and being told they dont put enough hours in, whislt the centre owner blags several free holidays per year on the back of the instructors who are knocking their nuts out for nothing. The owner claiming that they cannot afford to pay the instructors surely if a business cannot afford to pay its staff then it is not a viable business.

So all in all i wish you good luck but beware there are people out there who will take advantage of you at the first chance you get and you can find yourself working for free whilst other people rake the money in.

If there truly was no money in diving in then no one would do it at all so if its a dream of yours dont be put off look at what you need to be able to teach and with what agency to make it work.

[Roobydoo]

This is my full time job - been out here since 2006 and love it. I am not rich; my wages puts a roof over my head, food on the table and beer in the fridge, but I am not commuting 40,000 miles a year any more........

Echo the point re multi agency, multi skills. That keeps you busy! If you want any more specific info, PM me.

If you're just experiencing itchy feet in your current environment, it might just be that you need to find a new direction. The dive industry is perceived as a "romantic ideal" but the reality is far from the rose tinted spectacles given it. Research it well before seriously considering it......

Personally, it was the best move I have ever made