Planning Your Gap Year: Sustainable Adventure and Growth
What is a gap year?
A gap year is a year spent exploring and traveling after university, but before entering the workforce in your dedicated profession. Taking a gap year is common in many European countries. Some Americans take a gap year between high school and university.
The gap year is a time to explore the world and discover your own interests. It can be one of the most rewarding and formative experiences of your life. The skills you learn and experiences you have along the way will make you a stronger, more desirable job candidate. A well-executed gap year can fuel your joie de vie for years to come. Many people travel during their gap year, and take advantage of flexible work opportunities along the way. Working as a dive professional is a common way to fund gap year adventures.
What are the benefits of scuba diving?
Scuba diving is a social activity, so it’s a great way to meet people, make connections, and experience local and foreign culture all in the same boat! And as 70% of the planet is covered in oceans, your opportunities to travel and dive are almost limitless.
Diving regularly allows you to totally disconnect for an hour at a time. Many people describe scuba diving as a meditative experience, allowing you time to think, process, and simply be present in the moment. Diving is a low-stress activity, helps reduce anxiety, and keeps your body active in a low-impact environment. As far as hobbies go, it’s a pretty healthy one! So why not make it a career?
Why should I work during my gap year?
Working as a dive professional during your gap year is a smart, fun way to fund your travels. Scuba divers are some of the most “travel-minded” people, and it is common to meet people from all over the world while diving. Working as a divemaster or instructor will allow you to connect with new and exciting experiences and destinations.
Once you’ve completed your Divemaster or Instructor training, you can use the PADI Job Board to get contracts to work full time at dive resorts in exotic and highly sought after destinations around the world. Many resorts can help you get your work visa and may even provide housing as a part of their contract terms.
If you’d rather not work full time during your gap year, you can look for places that work with freelance instructors. This common practice allows dive centers to hire instructors on an as-needed basis, and gives instructors control over their schedules, working only as much as they want or need to. This arrangement is perfect for those who want to work without committing to a full-time schedule, so that you can travel, relax, and enjoy your gap year while still earning extra money for your adventures.
Part time jobs are also a very good opportunity for those that have an online job, but want to experience new activities.
How can I work as a Dive Professional during my gap year?
If you’re already a certified diver, you can become a dive professional (Divemaster or Dive Instructor) in as little as six to twelve weeks through a dedicated GoPRO Program.
Even if you’re not yet certified, you can become a PADI Divemaster in only 4 months, and a PADI Open Water Instructor in 6 months.
Divemaster is the first level of professional diving, which allows you to work assisting instructors during their courses and guiding certified divers. PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors can teach PADI courses and experiences all the way from Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water to Divemaster. You can read the full description and requirements of the Instructor Development Course (IDC) here.
Whether you choose to become a Divemaster or Instructor, you will learn skills that will serve you in and out of the water. Plus, divers who do their Divemaster or IDC here at Roatan Divers can dive for free with us for the rest of their lives!
How will this experience help me grow?
Your gap year is all about personal growth and exploration. You are taking the time to try new things, have new adventures, and discover new sides of yourself and our world. Diving below the surface is one of the most rewarding, beautiful, and fun ways to accomplish these goals.
Working as a dive professional will not only teach you how to dive; it will also teach you patience, grace under pressure, first aid and rescue skills, and an intimate understanding of our precious oceans and the life within them. These skills will serve you in every job you take moving forward, no matter the industry.
As a dive professional you will also learn a lot about customer service, and here at Roatan Divers you will have extra training about digital marketing and sales.
Your PADI Divemaster or Instructor certification will allow you to work anywhere in the world that has oceans, lakes, or quarries. Your time spent working as a PADI Pro will make you a more well-rounded, worldly job candidate. By working as a diver, you can travel the world and finish your gap year with money in the bank, knowing you took full advantage of your experience.
How to get started?
Find out if becoming a PADI Pro is right for your gap year. Send us an email to start the conversation. You can also book an online meeting with Fernanda.
Qualified candidates can join our next PADI IDC on August 2nd, and GoPRO programs can be started based on your travel plans.
