Mech Eng/ SCUBA Career?

Question
Hello,
I am a mechanical engineering student, going to graduate this year.  I have also just gotten PADI certified, and I love it!!!  I was wondering if you know of, or have ever come across a career in SCUBA diving other than being an instructor or something like that.  I would love to find a job where I can dive all the time.  Also, how do you like being an instructor.  Is it a good way to earn a living (if you don't mind me asking).  Thanks for your help.  I look forward to your response.

Answer
Hi Garrett,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation.  For me, the best job in diving was being a guide at a resort.  Every day, I got up, put on some shorts and rode my bike to the resort to find some vacationers there, eager to go out and see our reefs.  Teaching diving isn't a bad job, either, but for me it was more fun to just guide, in the ocean and caves.  Your buoyancy becomes minisub-like, you hardly use any air and you find a type of zen diving every day like that.  You won't make much money, but it's something I would highly recommend anyone try instead of rushing out on a career path right after school.

As far as real careers, I'm not sure I would want to be a professional diver (like on oil rigs or doing salvage).  When those guys would come diving with us, they were always train wrecks under water, banging about, while we (the daily guides) were like smooth fish in the water.

If you become a guide, you'll end up in some place where there are lots of people on holiday, having fun, with a carefree vibe, lots of international women and good times.  I ended up marrying a Swedish woman I met.

Become a Dive Master, work for a while as a guide, get your instructor cert, and then dive for as long as you enjoy it.  I'm sure it will be lots of fun for about 5 years of so.

Don't hesitate to hit me with any follow-up questions.

saludos,
James