skynewb 0 #1 July 23, 2006 Hi, my name is Michaela and I'm new on here. This is my second year in the sport of skydiving and I have 25 jumps. I know I'm very new to the sport, relatively speaking, but I am damn passionate about it. The reason I am posting this is for advice. When I did my first jump, I was amazed by the sense of community at my DZ and knew I wanted to be part of that. I have struggled in order to afford getting the training, given up a lot of my old lifestyle habits in order to find extra cash, because I really want to keep doing this and keep getting better and better. I've never had a passion like this before, and I just know that this is it for me, I have to do this for life! Problem is, there is some sort of sense of rivalry and exclusivity at my dropzone. Whenever I talk to the more experienced jumpers about how I truly want to do this for a living one day, and that this is what I want to do with my life, they laugh at me. They tell me that its just the rush and that it will ware off, I will get bored and move on. It's almost like they don't want me to do it. But I know inside of me that it is about much more than that. This really discourages me. For me, getting into the sport has just lit a spark inside of me that I never knew before. Whenever I learn something new in skydiving, no matter how frustrating it is at first, the sense of accomplishment is like no other. I have seen all of my friends from high school know what they want in life and go after it with not very much experience in that field, so I don't see why it is so far fetched for me to give skydiving my all. Is it because its a sport, and people dont take sports seriously? My sister has been horseback riding since she was six and is now grown and pursuing a career as a trainer and instructor, which doesnt seem to be so far-fetched for people because she has been doing it for over ten years. But I couldnt have started skydiving when I was six! The people at my DZ tell me to go to university or college and just keep skydiving as a hobby. First of all, I wouldnt know what to go to school for because the only passion I have ever had is skydiving. That's what I want to do! It takes money to be trained in school, and it takes money to be trained for skydiving. I'd much rather spend my money on becoming a skydiving instructor. Am I crazy for thinking this? I just know if I go to school, I won't have any money to skydive because I'd already be borrowing money just for tuition and I'd have no extra time to have a part time job even. All the experienced jumpers at my DZ treat me like a quack... but am I one? I mean, how does anyone really know what they want to do for a living? If I went to university for business or something, I'd be much less sure that I wanted to spend my life doing that as I am sure with skydiving. It really is more than a rush for me... skydiving changed my life, I think about it day and night, about setting that next goal and beating it, about challenging myself and continually finetuning my skills until one day I can help other people do the same. I wanted to write about it on here because I can't talk like this with anyone who knows anything about it at my DZ... any advice? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #2 July 23, 2006 I think they may not be trying to discourage you, rather they're advising some caution and moderation in order to enjoy skydiving long term. In a similar situation, my solution was to learn an aviation-related profession. No, I wasn't able to skydive while in school or immediately afterward. Yes, the delayed gratification was worth it. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skynewb 0 #3 July 23, 2006 yes, I have thought of maybe learning to fly planes and perhaps becoming an instructor, or flying skydivers, or being a private pilot. At least that way I'm still connected to it in some way, and will probably enjoy flying since a lot of my friends are pilots and I get involved in their conversations, but use skydiving to relate. skydivers that i respect a lot have told me that its wise to have another job to bring in a better income for skydiving since its so expensive, but i just dont have anything im interested in that would bring in a huge income. does flying pay well? i would just like something im not as tied down to as university, in a perfect world. that i can do a bit at a time. maybe aviation is my best bet? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
countzero 7 #4 July 23, 2006 go for it. however i've heard it can be tough at times to make a living soley as a JM. that's why several instructors and coaches at my dz work regular jobs during the week and teach on weekends. i'd say keep your day job, get jumps under your belt, become a coach, become an instructor, then if you're financially able to- become a full time instructor. best of luck & blue skies!!diamonds are a dawgs best friend Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GQ_jumper 4 #5 July 23, 2006 I think it's great that you have so much passion for the sport and want to go far, I say go for it. But like most people have mentioned there isn't a whole lot in the way of a financial future in it, get a steady job to pay the bills and get yourself the jumps and training you need. And if people at your DZ are approaching you with a negative attitude, just avoid em, they'll be singing to a different tune when you achieve your goals. Inexperienced people with a lot of drive and determination are rarely taken seriously. You don't need to be around people like that anyways. Good luck.History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. --Dwight D. Eisenhower Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKFSChick 0 #6 July 23, 2006 If you keep your eye on your goals, you will achieve them. There are many paths you can take in the sport, ignore people who try to put you off. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scaryshari 0 #7 July 23, 2006 ditto.. skydiving is your personal choice..and the passion you have is yours to tame. one step at a time and keep balance. some folks *may* lose the thrill. but i know so many who have 1,000's of jumps who are passionate with competing as well as teaching. However, i strongly encourage you to get your education so you'll always have a *reserve*. is Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #8 July 24, 2006 Most "full time" skydiving instuctors make under 30k a year. THat that is some hard core punishment on the bodyto make that much money. They also have no benifits and are at the whims of the weather. If the weather is bad one weekend they don't make any money at all. Skydiving is mostly a weekend business at 90% of the dropzones out there. During the week they may fly a half dozen to a dozen paying loads so you sit around and work on the DZ all week for the chance to make just a few jumps all week. In all but the biggest or busiest DZ's its a hard life living on the DZ since you are living weekend to weekend with no real ability to save for retirement, insuance or anything else. You better get ued to the idea that you will never own a house or a car newer then a few years at least. Also an old RV will be your home so you better like living in small spaces. To get a tandem rating you need 500 jumps, AFF is based on freefall time but you re looking more or less at least 350 jumps at a min and more like 500+ to get the skills needed to pass. You still need to afford to get to that point Personally you are better to get a job and just jump on your schedule. With a 30k+ job that still can pay for 100+ jumps a year and you can actually live in an apartment or something. A college degree can take you much further and can actually help you get a job that will pay for a car, jumping and travel. If you need to take a weekend to visit a friend you are not missing your only paycheck that way Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skynewb 0 #9 July 24, 2006 Wow, thanks Phreezone! I wish people at my dropzone would tell me stuff like that. I knew that I should definitely have another job other than skydiving and not rely on that 100% for income... not only will I not make a lot of $, but its going to be very physically taxing im sure and not very flexible. What I would really love is to find a job that pays well and requires the least amount of education/training or time to complete... haha dont we all! But I am just weary over the idea of spending 4 years in a classroom, because I am very hands on and prefer to learn things a bit at a time. That's why I thought perhaps flying would be good? I'm still young, 21, but I have a one year old daughter to think of as well. I really want to be able to secure an income, but I just feel that with my crappy unqualified jobs right now at least I'm making an income rather than being in school and not having anything for a couple of years, you know? Anyway, thanks phreezone and the rest of you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #10 July 24, 2006 I did college and worked enough to pay my bills and still got 150 jumps in. It can be done, granted I did'nt have a child... but if you work hard enough its easly able to be done. Instead of looking at a college look at a skilled trades program. Things like heating/AC, construction, electrical, plumbing, or even machining all make good money and are completley hands on.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RkyMtnHigh 0 #11 July 24, 2006 Hang in there...anything is possible if you want it bad enough A girl at my dz recently graduated AFF and most of it was comp'd because she advertised for the dz and passed out flyers and DVDs at the beach during HUGE events and was in a bikini which transpired into tandem business.....so it can work for you if you are creative _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GQ_jumper 4 #12 July 24, 2006 and was in a bikini which transpired into tandem business.....so it can work for you if you are creative Quote so you're saying all I have to do to get free jumps is where a bikini?History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. --Dwight D. Eisenhower Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RkyMtnHigh 0 #13 July 24, 2006 Quoteand was in a bikini which transpired into tandem business.....so it can work for you if you are creative Quote so you're saying all I have to do to get free jumps is where a bikini?[/reply If you and your dzo work out the advertising media and your comp on the deal then it could work out cool in your favor _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites cocheese 0 #14 July 24, 2006 Yea i remember the first time i had sex, i wanted to become a porn star. 10 words. all 2 letters: If it is to be, it is up to me. Rewarding careers aren't always about money. But if you can find a job you love, you win. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marcandalysse 0 #15 July 25, 2006 GO TO SCHOOL! ANY KIND OF SCHOOL! Do you like banging on keyboards? Get some kind of tech coursework. Doesn't have to be certification, just get good at some IT stuff. You can learn mostly at home.... BUT! Don't just study for the kind of work that can get done cheaper in China!! The DZ will always be there, waiting for your $$$ on the weekends! good luck, marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
RkyMtnHigh 0 #13 July 24, 2006 Quoteand was in a bikini which transpired into tandem business.....so it can work for you if you are creative Quote so you're saying all I have to do to get free jumps is where a bikini?[/reply If you and your dzo work out the advertising media and your comp on the deal then it could work out cool in your favor _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites cocheese 0 #14 July 24, 2006 Yea i remember the first time i had sex, i wanted to become a porn star. 10 words. all 2 letters: If it is to be, it is up to me. Rewarding careers aren't always about money. But if you can find a job you love, you win. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marcandalysse 0 #15 July 25, 2006 GO TO SCHOOL! ANY KIND OF SCHOOL! Do you like banging on keyboards? Get some kind of tech coursework. Doesn't have to be certification, just get good at some IT stuff. You can learn mostly at home.... BUT! Don't just study for the kind of work that can get done cheaper in China!! The DZ will always be there, waiting for your $$$ on the weekends! good luck, marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
cocheese 0 #14 July 24, 2006 Yea i remember the first time i had sex, i wanted to become a porn star. 10 words. all 2 letters: If it is to be, it is up to me. Rewarding careers aren't always about money. But if you can find a job you love, you win. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcandalysse 0 #15 July 25, 2006 GO TO SCHOOL! ANY KIND OF SCHOOL! Do you like banging on keyboards? Get some kind of tech coursework. Doesn't have to be certification, just get good at some IT stuff. You can learn mostly at home.... BUT! Don't just study for the kind of work that can get done cheaper in China!! The DZ will always be there, waiting for your $$$ on the weekends! good luck, marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
