There’s a lot more to being a PADI Instructor than being a great diver (but of course that helps). A good instructor is also: an engaging public speaker, someone who can anticipate a student’s needs, and someone who can break down complicated topics into easy-to-understand chunks.
These skills, learned in the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC), are also incredibly helpful in the real world. Instructor candidates tell us frequently how PADI instructor training improved their ability to communicate ideas, bolstered their confidence in public speaking, and taught them how to give constructive criticism to others. For example: at the PADI Office, it’s not uncommon for staff members to (half-jokingly) use an IDC technique to enforce office etiquette:
“I really liked the way you – keep the break room clean. However, I noticed someone forgot to – make more coffee when the pot is empty. Remember, it’s important to keep your co-workers caffeinated.”
While some people are natural instructors, many people begin their PADI Instructor course wondering, “how on earth am I going to teach someone how to breathe underwater?” That’s where a PADI Course Director gets to work his or her magic. Using the PADI system of education, instructor candidates learn how to organize and present information, conduct skill development sessions, and manage open water dive training. By the end of the IDC, instructor candidates walk away with a noggin full of knowledge and the ability to confidently explain and present information.
In addition to improving your public speaking and in-water skills, the IDC is a great way to network with interesting people. Divers who go through a Divemaster or IDC course learn a lot about each other, grow together, and form a special bond.
If you’re dissatisfied with your current job, becoming a PADI Instructor will level-up key job skills and open new doors. PADI Dive Instructors are the most sought after scuba professionals in the world. Once you’re a PADI Pro, a quick look at the job board on the PADI Pros Site pulls up jobs in dozens of countries.
Even if being a full-time scuba instructor isn’t your cup of tea, working part-time as an instructor or dive guide is a great way to supplement other freelance work close to home or in a tropical paradise. You may also be able to earn college credit. Last, but certainly not least, being a PADI Pro and transforming the lives of others is extremely rewarding.
Learn more about becoming a dive instructor, or peruse some of the scuba diving careers available to PADI Pros. Or, contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort to enroll in an upcoming Divemaster or IDC course.
