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

[Bantam]

S'Funny. One of the conversations I've had in the past with Helen (FH) was around how much diving do you do now?

The answer was, surprisingly, much less than she used to, even though she works on a dive boat. Mostly because when you're working in the industry, you tend not to get to do it much. Although I'm sure she's the first to admit she's found a job she enjoys, loves helping people and feels positive about life. It means alot to do a job you love doing.

Most of us dive in our spare time - when you do it for a career it seriously changes what was a fun hobby into a full time job that you do for a living and becomes your source of income. It's the Yin and Yang I've been going through for ages with my own life. Do I ditch a fairly well paid Senior IT management job for being a commercial diver? Would I be happier? I'm already going down the IDC route this year (I think it's about time after being a DM since 1999!) but I'm still torn between doing my HSE or keeping with a job that pays well but may not be fulfilling emotionally (if you know what I mean).

It's happened to me with IT - I go home and the last thing I usually want to touch is a computer. I do have quite alot of IT 'stuff' at home (like a PS3 for example), but stuff which is usually hidden away or does a specific job. IT used to be my hobby, building PC's for people and servers, and now it's the bane of my life.

Do I regret not doing stuff? Sometimes.

I think, though, it's just that I wished I had more time to do what I love doing.

[Dr T]

Originally Posted by Bantam

I think, though, it's just that I wished I had more time to do what I love doing.

I echo that !!

ash

[Rydive]

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.

[MonkeyPony]

You can be my kit bitch if you like mate.

The hours are long and the money is bad* but the job satisfaction would be worth it. Imagine the feeling of satisfaction you'd get seeing me off into the water knowing it was you who made it possible by carrying my cylinders and putting my fins on for me.









* There isn't any

[Dr T]

we are hiring

Job Vacancies at NDAC


ash

[James The Badger]

There is a saying about the only way to make a small fortune in the dive industry is to start with a large one

[scuba g]

I worked in IT for a few years prior to working in the diving industry and after moving into diving found my wages halved and was not getting any way near the water as much as I hoped. Yes, desk jobs are boring but Im back in IT a few years now and couldnt have afforded my jeep or rebreather if Id been still stuck behind a counter. I loved working in it fulltime as talking about diving 8 hours a day was nice but when Saturdays or Bank holidays came, Id be stuck in the store while mates where off diving. Going abroad might be the better option as standards of living and earnings seem to be better. Tech instructors seem to be the only ones who can make a decent living, relying on OW students every month and other costs, Id rather be doodling in work, typing this, knowing Im free to do the diving I want to at the weekend.

[Dr T]

Originally Posted by scuba g

Tech instructors seem to be the only ones who can make a decent living, relying on OW students every month and other costs, Id rather be doodling in work, typing this, knowing Im free to do the diving I want to at the weekend.

same problem for them though. Teaching all the time and never time-off to do the diving they are trained for !!

ash

[scuba g]

Originally Posted by Dr T

same problem for them though. Teaching all the time and never time-off to do the diving they are trained for !!

ash

All of the ones Ive trained with seem to be off on expeditions, which I suppose are work and pleasure

[lostdiver]

[quote=MonkeyPony;911715]You can be my kit bitch if you like mate.

The hours are long and the money is bad* but the job satisfaction would be worth it. Imagine the feeling of satisfaction you'd get seeing me off into the water knowing it was you who made it possible by carrying my cylinders and putting my fins on for me.


Kit bitch...... Haha You need one with your terrible kit config. Oh and a yellow back up reg holder, lol amature . I'l sort that out for some bungee soon, call it "charity man".