Job Discussion Forums

[beflythis]

hi

I'm a 2nd-year student at the University of Toronto, Canada (canadian citizen), and due to my poor performance in first-year and subsequent lack of funding from my grandmother (i don't blame her, really), I've begun questioning whether I want to incur personal debt for schooling I might not even be quite interested in at this point in my life... (i'll have the option of going back to University at my discretion, but I feel as though I want to pursue travel and personal interest while I'm still young and leave schooling until I actually know what I want and am mature enough to NOT waste money via failing and poor marks, etc.)

I used to live in the Turks and Caicos islands in the british west indies as a child, where my parents owned the major grocery store on the island... and after that, moved to ft. lauderdale, florida, so the tropical lifestyle definitely hits a personal interest... coming back to the cold winters of canada just didn't feel natural, and I do feel most comfortable in a tropical climate.

i recently got open-water diving certification in playa del carmen, mexico, and am already underway to completing my bartending license to further extend my work possibilities... my question is simple to many on this board, i'm sure.

I read the stickie about resumes, and the "Attitude" section particularly caught my attention. it advised not attempting to teach ESL if you're just looking for money to "survive/party/act like an idiot" etc...

Well, that section pertains to me, specifically... after discovering a passion and subsequent career interest for diving, I must complete several certification steps before I'm at the level where I can actually earn money at it..

my desire is to live in a tropical region where I can earn enough money working to live and party, all-the-while getting my scuba training. sounds complicated to some, but simple, i'm sure, to others.

I was thinking about Costa Rica, because I know the demand for ESL teachers is high (again, I have neither ESL certification or a degree; i'm a uni-undergrad with a moderate understanding and limited vocabulary in spanish).
I'm not partial to teaching english, I WOULD like to be a bartender in a hotel maybe... I'm caucasian and I would imagine that tourist hotels might take nicely to a good-looking whiteboy like myself in order to appeal to their clientele.. (just a thought...)
if you have any advise/experience/reccomendations/general knowledge/contacts, PLEASE REPLY -- I'm starting research from home base in burlington, ontario, canada and this is basically my first stop.

thanks in advance,

-j.d.

[naturegirl321]

Check out the latin american discussion forum. You should have no problemfinding work teaching English, but bartending or diving might be difficult. Especially since you don't speak Spanish. But some of the touristy spots mght have positions.

Usually people just go to the country of their choice in Latin America and look for work when they get there.

[James_T_Kirk]

You rock man! I wish I had taken some time off from school when I was in your situation! You definitely have the right idea. Have you considered S.E. Asia? Not in the vicinity of the Carribean, but there is some great diving there, the cost of living is generally pretty cheap, diving courses are cheap there, and there are some teaching opportunities if the bartending doesn't work out. I earned my open water certification in Phuket, Thailand...my instructor was a young guy from Sweden that decided to move to Thailand to do exactly what you want to do. If you wanted to forget bartending and earn money teaching English, Sihanoukville in Cambodia might be a great place to get more diving certification. Just a few random thoughts...

Otherwise, I agree with Naturegirl...save up some money, get on a plane bound for your Carribean country of choice, and hit the pavement looking for a job. Well, before you do this, you should continue your research. If I were you, I might next go to the Thorn Tree. Use google to find some discussion forums for divers and ask them if they know of any opportunities. Go to your local library and tell a reference librarian what you want to do...I guarantee he/she will be able to hook you up with some great resources and/or leads!

Good luck, and let us know how things work out!

Cheers,
Kirk

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[kait]

Perhaps there are some cruise ships in need of bartenders. Or, maybe you can make the easier move to Key West and try to make some connections that could lead you to the islands.

[guest of Japan]

Go to Ft. Lauderdale and start doing day work on yachts. Register with the crew agencies, stay in a crew house and work at getting yourself a deckhand or steward position on a yacht. Take some seamanship courses from one of the schools in the area. Your goals of sun, sea and partying will be much better met working on yachts than in teaching. You'll make more money too.