You fell in love with diving on holiday, saved up to do your Divemaster internship and realised you could turn your passion into a career. Then follows your Instructor Development Course (IDC) and possibly your Master Scuba Diver Training (MSDT) too... so what's next?
As a PADI Open Water Scuba Instrcutor (OWSI) you made the smart choice to continue your training by completing your MSDT internship (more on this topic coming in a future diary entry...) which I HIGHLY recommend if you're serious about succeeding within the industry. Now, do you really need to sit through another IDC and pay more to get your Staff Instructor rating too? Is it worth it? Do employers recognise this step up in the PADI career ladder?
Well, yes. And here's why...
[September 2017, Course Director Nick and I celebrating six new PADI Instructors and me becoming a PADI IDC Staff Instructor!]
- First of all, what is the IDC Staff Instructor course?
Great question to start! In the words of PADI: "This course provides you with in-depth knowledge of the instructor development process and prepares you to shape the next generation of PADI Professionals." [Website link here] Sounds good. But in my words, this course really sets you aside from the rest of the pack and illustrates to anyone that you're serious about a career in scuba diving. It equips you with the skillset, knowledge and confidence to become an overall first class instructor.
- What are the prerequisites?
You must already be a certified MSDT and EFR Instructor! (Over 18, have been a certified diver for more than 6 months and have been signed off by a physician to dive within the last 12 months - same as IDC!)
- What do I actually learn?
At the start of your course you will be assessed on your excellent Instructor-level knowledge by taking an exam (basically go over your revision notes from your IDC!), your role-model dive skills (so make sure that your skills circuit demo's are up to scratch!), as well as your exemplary ability to deliver presentations (revisit your knowledge development assessments from your IDC).
After you've aced all of that, you'll shadow an IDC in which you'll sharpen your standards and procedures knowledge, you'll learn how to organise and conduct the PADI Assistant Instructor (AI) course, and become proficient in evaluating candidates on their confined, open water and knowledge development presentations.
On top of all of that, and one of the most important aspects of this course in my opinion, is that you'll be armed with the tools to counsel every candidate and serve as a true role model to them. You will be someone they can trust, turn to and look up to for guidance and support throughout their IDC (we all remember what an emotional rollercoaster those two weeks can be...). Being a role model is a heavy duty to fulfil and shouldn't be taken lightly, and this course prepares you for how to handle that responsibility and that you deserve the recognition fo doing so!
[All photos captured by Nick Derutter @divesaga]
- Will I get a chance to actually teach?
Yes! You get the valuable opportunity to practice presentations by teaching aspects of the IDC curriculum to candidates. You will also assess in-water and classroom presentations and have the task of delivering feedback and scores. This role can be extremely satisfying when you're in the position to award someone full marks, however at the other end of the scale you'll have to acknowledge mistakes, safety concerns and of course have to give low marks as well. For me, this was an area of teaching where I needed the most practice by progressing in my ability to confidently offer constructive criticism.
- Do these skills help me in other courses?
The greatest help to me was how I could apply SO many new skills to improve how I taught the Divemaster program. Not only did I become more confident in scoring candidates on their briefings, demonstrations and overall performance, but I had a deeper understanding of the IDC and was able to offer quality advice in relation to professional diving as a whole. Personally, becoming a Staff Instructor improved my overall confidence in teaching as well as the calibre of training I was able to offer my students.
- How does it help my career?
Luckily for me, I did all of my professional training through The College of Diving on Utila, meaning that the level of teaching I received was as high as there can be. This has passed on through to me in how I approach every student and course (and I don't feel big headed for proudly recognising that!), so remember that when you choose which dive school (or College - hint hint) to complete your professional level training through, the better quality training you receive, the better quality instructor you will become.
But yes, as I've previously mentioned, displaying your 'IDC Staff Instructor' rating on your scuba resume will surely make you stand out in a pile of applications and show that you're serious about progressing within the industry. You will also be able to teach AI's independently and audit IDC's under the supervision of a Course Director. Speaking of which... becoming an IDC Staff Instructor is a necessary step if you're interested in becoming a Course Director, and your employer will see that you're dedicated to reaching this career defining goal.
[Scoring Confined Water presentations with Course Director Nick Derutter]
As always, thanks for reading and engaging in my diary entries! Until next time...
Safe diving and happy dreaming.
A.
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