Confused where to start Oh to Fl ??

[Stained91109]

yeah, the bad news is that there isn't alot of money in diving. Most instructors, like my husband, have a "real" job that pays the bills, teaching is just for fun and hopefully break even on expenses. And the idea of moving to Florida - hmmm, there is a dive instructor around every corner.

But the Good NEWS is that you could get up through Divemaster and go for a job on a liveaboard for awhile. It is a good way to be in the industry and earn a living, especially while you are young and unattached. We have met several DM/Instructors lately on liveaboards who were doing it for fun (a break from college and to raise money for college) or in order to get enough experience to manage a dive operation. If you really want to work in the dive industry, this is a great place to start. Yes, you could work in a dive shop selling gear (been there, done that) but it pays barely over minimum wage and doesn't get you in the water.

robin

That does sound like a good way into the industry! I'll have to see what all it takes to get into. thanks alot!!

 

[Stained91109]

Have you investigated whether you will be able to support yourself as a SCUBA instructor?

If you are interested in biological research why pursue the marine biology degree and work toward the divemaster/instructor certification as time permits.

By doing so you might open up a wider career path for yourself.

I agree with FisherDVM. All of the SCUBA instructors that I know have full time jobs. One owns a dive shop, the other four work in corporate America.

That is what I have seen as well, at least in Ohio. I just assumed that it was because of the lack of diving in the area. Now it seem as though it is industry wide.

 

[Stained91109]

My guess is that 95% of OW scuba instructors have a real job, and do scuba instruction part time. The remaining 5% likely is split between sales, marketing, and scuba instruction. Have you considered commercial diving? Like construction, inspection, and demolition?

Actually I haven't looked much into commercial diving. Maybe that would be a good place to start. Sounds like a pretty secure job.