Karvik wrote:
Roofing and General Contractor for the last 20 years. First and only job I've ever had, though looking to change that soon. Working on a scuba career, such as an instructor or under water welding. Just finished up the first part of my open water certification, so I have a ways to go yet.
Being a PADI Scuba Instructor myself, and having looked at Commercial Diving career too at some point, let me help you by telling you that PADI OWSI (Open Water Scuba Instructor) is one way, which will cost X amount of money to get all the way up to 5 stars and then you can work worldwide for seasons at a time in every scuba center but the work hours and the money you'll get are not much...
Commercial Diver on the other hand has some sweet specialties that can make you a ton of money but the training and certifications required for that have nothing to do with PADI-style certifications (ie Open Water, Adv Open Water, Rescue, Divemaster, OWSI). i found that these will not only not help you, but are not required or accepted when looking into Commercial diving career. You need to do a specific type of training on one of the several companies, which costs hella'lot of money and then, you have to find a way to enter the "inner circle" of commercial diving which is an unforgiving one, as the job itself is. Still, you travel around the world much, get good money if you get a half decent specialty.
Hope this works out for you and helps you some. Feel free to PM me for further info.