The Path to Becoming a Scuba Professional | S3E02

In this episode, Jay and Sarah discuss their journeys into professional level courses. Jay shares his journey to becoming a professional instructor, including the challenges he faced and the support of his spouse. They also discuss gender representation in UTD and the importance of reading the room as an instructor.  In this part of the conversation, Jay and Sarah discuss the importance of experience and understanding in scuba diving. They also talk about the value of slowing down and being patient in the learning process. 

Sarah shares her recommendations for choosing a dive master course and highlights the challenges and rewards of teaching scuba diving. They also touch on the topic of imposter syndrome and building self-esteem in the industry. 

Jay and Sarah discuss the importance of trust and apprenticeship in dive training and the qualities of a good role model in the diving industry and the importance of professionalism. They emphasize the need for continual learning and growth as a dive professional and the value of exploring different opportunities. They also share their experiences of being professionals and the challenges and rewards that come with it. They highlight the importance of teaching as a calling and finding your own path in the industry. Finally, they encourage divers to take breaks when needed and to embrace diving as a hobby, whether or not they choose to become professionals.

Takeaways

1.  Rain can have a significant impact on diving, and it is important to wait for the recommended time after a rain event before getting back in the water.

2.  Becoming a professional instructor requires dedication, perseverance, and a passion for teaching.

3.  Having a supportive spouse can make a big difference in pursuing a career in diving.

4.  Gender representation in the diving industry should be a focus, and efforts should be made to encourage more women to become instructors.

5.  Reading the room and understanding the dynamics of a group is an important skill for instructors. Experience and understanding are crucial in scuba diving.

6.  Taking the time to slow down and be patient in the learning process is important.

7.  When choosing a dive master course, consider factors such as the culture of the team, the location, and the number of dives included.

8.  Teaching scuba diving can be challenging but also rewarding.

9.  Imposter syndrome is common in the industry, especially for women, and building self-esteem is important.

10. Trust and apprenticeship play a significant role in dive training.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Small Talk
01:46 Desire to Go Diving
03:12 Impact of Rain on Diving
07:12 Transition to Professional Level Courses
08:14 Jay's Journey to Becoming a Pro
14:44 Supportive Spouse
19:35 Evaluation and Challenges
27:22 Gender Representation in UTD
36:36 Further Instructor Training
38:29 Reading the Room
39:56 The Importance of Experience and Understanding
46:13 The Value of Slowing Down and Being Patient
55:47 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dive Master Course
01:01:09 The Challenges and Rewards of Teaching Scuba Diving
01:14:59 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Building Self-Esteem
01:23:08 The Importance of Trust and Apprenticeship in Dive Training
01:23:44 Becoming a Role Model
01:24:27 The Importance of Professionalism
01:25:27 Continual Learning and Growth
01:26:23 Exploring Different Opportunities
01:27:23 The Experience of Being a Professional
01:28:19 Teaching as a Calling
01:29:28 Finding Your Path and Taking Breaks
01:30:52 Assisting Others on Their Journey
01:31:20 Embracing Diving as a Hobby

If you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: 

Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop;

Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcasts;

Send the link to the show; thedivetable.com to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor.

Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or say howdy.

The Dive Table

https://www.thedivetable.com/

Gardner Underwater

https://gardnerunderwater.com/

Sarah Miller

www.azulunlimited.com

Fish Dive Surf, Inc.

https://fishdivesurf.com/

Visit Azulunlimited.com to find out more!

If you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: 

1. Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop.
2. Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcasts;
3. Send the link to the show The Dive Table to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor, or anybody you want to get hooked on scuba.
4. Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or Say Howdy!
5. Visit Jay at Gardner Underwater
6. Also visit us at Fish Dive Surf, Inc., for big picture conservation news in the fishing, diving and surfing communities.