TRAINING
Part 3: Where is The Best Place to Develop Divemasters and Instructors? by Tec Clark , owner, ScubaGuru Academy & The Campus Edge Training for Pros
W HY DO WE GO TO COLLEGE? Common no- tion suggests people go to college primarily to increase earning potential, secure better job oppor- tunities and to advance their careers. Secondarily, college fosters personal and intellectual growth, critical thinking, net- working, and self-discovery. Now, if I were to ask you what some of the benefits are in becoming a Divemaster or an Instructor, a similar response would ensue: a way for you to make money doing what you enjoy, personal growth, intellectual growth, critical thinking, networking, and self-discovery. Because of these similarities, I have found that college students are primed for going through scuba leadership training. Thus, in my opinion, I believe the college and university market is the best place to develop Divemasters and Instructors. Here’s why: 1. College Income - College students are looking for ways to make money on campus. Instead of working in a library or a resident hall, students can work the coolest job on campus as a Divemaster or Instructor leading divers and/or teaching divers.
2. Supplemental Professional Income - College students like alternative income pathways after college, especially in areas where they have passion. The career path for most college students is cloudy. When students become Divemasters or Instructors, they know they have supplemental income to help make ends meet as they’re starting their careers. And, it is always something they can fall back on. Heck, if you’re doing your job as a mentor (see Six Advantages of Having a Mentor by Shelli Hendricks, Ph.D. Scuba Diving Industry Magazine October 2025) maybe they would choose diving as their career. 3. Professional Credentials - College students are looking for ways to bolster their resumes and professional credentials do just that. Students are constantly looking for ways to enhance their resumes. Whether to get into graduate school or get a job, professional credentials help. This is especially true for students in the marine sciences or environmental sciences fields of study. Major opportunities open when a college graduate combines his or her marine sciences degree with Di- vemaster or Instructor professional credentials and membership. 4. Building Strong Relationships - College students enjoy challenges with peers. Some of the strongest friendships come from college days. And the strongest of friendships are built around a commonality that can be shared. Divemaster and In- structor training is significant. It brings people together through challenging situations of personal growth and devel- opment. Having peers of the same age and station in life go through this leadership training together creates meaningful lifelong relationships. These four items I’ve illustrated above are great marketing points to promote Divemaster and Instructor programs that you offer to college students. And this becomes extremely easy when you also have programing at a college or university such as a scuba club, recreational courses, academic courses, scientific diving, outdoor recreation trips, and/or assisting professors with water-based field trips. When these programs are present, you have a recruiting pipeline as college students see their peers leading these dives and they want to do the same! This works!
And if you’re wondering how to do these types of programs at colleges and universities, I strongly encourage taking The Campus Edge online course. You’ll be glad you did!
contact Tec
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