Please Help 'Scuba Jason' Come Back Home
Donation protected
--Furloughed PADI Diving Instructor is Stranded Overseas--
Firstly, Thank You for even taking the time to read this. Life has become a bit unconventional lately, and regardless of any contribution, just by you taking a moment here, is a gesture in itself.
Also, I know I’m not unique in needing some support during these times, and I’ve gone back and forth on whether or not to put it out there, but the fact of the matter is that I need a little deliverance ...
Having to expose your personal challenges is a raw and rather vulnerable thing to those who know you. There’s a certain feeling of inadequacy and guilt in needing to ask for help of a monetary nature.
Mainly in knowing you’re really writing to an audience of your colleagues, friends, and family.
It gives rise to a myriad of emotions and embarrassment.
BUT,
I also know that it's an illogical worry to dwell on in this moment.
Especially when an unforeseen force has swept away your job and stranded you in another 'land' with no means to fly home or continue to wait it out. 'Ego and Identity' seem to feel a little less important compared to being a few weeks away from 'destitution & homelessness'.
So, here I am, asking for whatever help anyone feels they can contribute to help me make it back home and get settled. (Judgement is inevitable, but please be gentle.)
Even if it's just a few dollars, or sharing my post, it all helps.
Heck, If you'd like share my LinkedIn for job opportunities, or just give me a good ole' helping of advice, I'll take it.
It’s all welcome. And, honestly, it's more than I had before.
So What Happened?
Well, Covid Happened, the World now wears masks far more often than we wear socks, and each day more economies & industries begin to sputter.
It’s also clear I don’t know the rules on the proper narrative for GoFundMe write ups, but please bear with me, I have to make light of situations where I can find them these days. It’s less bleak that way.
As these last months have passed, almost all of us PADI Dive Instructors found ourselves furloughed while outside of our home countries, and then left without a job, or any means to earn. The passion to teach is high, but the pay, to be transparent, is very meager. ( approx. $30.00 -$40.00 a day on average in case you were wondering.)
And that’s ok, because not a one of the brilliant and vibrant instructors I call friends chose this field for the money. ( That's a few of them above.)
And at the same time, no one foresaw the entire industry just shutting down like a circuit breaker. Many people had money left in their coffers to get home quickly, and at the very least, continue to wait out what we were told would only be a month or so.
Unfortunately, I didn’t. I had a little, but not enough for a flight home.
I’ve been on a 3 year sojourn to get to this passion in life, and had finally earned a sought after, full time position as an Instructor in one of the most beautiful and challenging areas to teach and dive in; Komodo National Park.
And after 4 ½ months of certifying, teaching, and encouraging new divers, I began to find roots in my new home. And then this mess happened. The rest you know.
So now, I have to find a way back home and then back into the corporate fold. (Although I do have faith that the stars and the world will someday align for diving again, and I will be much better prepared)
Anything helps.
As I’ve been away for some time, I don’t have a 'homebase' per se, but getting back to the United States and settling in is my first focus.
Having a bit to survive on for a week or so while looking for jobs will be the second focus.
Flight costs have been going up by the day- as many airlines cut their flights overseas.
The plan at the moment is this:
Flight from Singapore to Indonesia (to pick up my gear/bags), then from Indonesia to California to Florida ( to pick up my car and belongings from storage), and then finally driving to stay on some land in Oregon next to my mother’s RV.
This will, at least, allow me to settle into a ‘home’ (tent) while looking for jobs. ( As I’m sure many of us are doing at the moment)
Any amount will help me get through these next few weeks on the journey back Stateside.
As an aside, I’m having all donations handled by my Mother.
You have to love Moms, they are always doing what they can even if you are all grow’d up. It also makes it easier to have a contact that can readily call customer service, reschedule reservations etc, as many airlines across the world have been cancelling or changing flights rapidly. Logistics can get tricky when dialing from overseas.
A brief background on how I ended up here. ( Feel free to skip these bits, its just some history)
Many of my close family and friends know that in late 2017, I made a very difficult decision to step aside from the fintech industry.
I loved my job, but after 9 years in SF and the startup culture, the accompanying 80 hour work weeks finally tipped the scales.
And so, I embarked out into the world on a mini sabbatical of sorts and looked to find a bit of meaning again.
It was unscripted. It was terrifying. And It was filled with doubt.
( I’ve long wanted to write of these last years, but that’s not for this platform. )
The short of the story is that during all this, something unexpected happened.
While I was "in the field" , a passion for diving in the Ocean manifested, and I set out and became a Padi Specialty Dive Instructor.
There was this charm to the Ocean that felt like magic.
(Also, I'm a Pisces, if that's really a thing.)
What I can offer as Repayment and Thank You.
I'll find a way to repay everyone that gives a little shoulder to lean on.
( Yes, I know that's not needed in a GoFundMe, but karmically, I’ll find a way)
On the Diving Side of Things-
Are you looking to go diving in a paradise when the world opens back up? Interested in getting PADI certified?
If our proximities align, I’d love to teach you one day.
( And of course you don’t have to worry about the instructor cost as it allows me to give back to those who helped me here)
From a Business Operations & Consultant Side of Things -
( This would probably be the most relevant as it's been the lion share of my career)
While abroad, I was also an operations consultant for multiple companies in multiple countries.
Together, we developed strategies to increase outputs of all areas of business.
If you know of any operations leadership positions that need filled, or even a business that needs a consultant, I'm open to adding value.
And for those who like lists:
Areas of focus:
•Director or Sr Mgr of Operations •Development •Operational Readiness •Automations •Project Management •Controls to manage follow through and lasting change.
•Strategies from underlying data.
•Six Sigma •Analysis•Profitability •Talent Development •Operations Analysis • Employee Culture • Automation •Efficiency Implementations •Product Management •Revenue analysis •KPI’s •Policies •Procedures •SOP’s
•Peer to Peer Lending • Underwriting polices
But it’s not just about needing the pennies to make it back home:
As I arrive back to the States, I’ll be looking to put my brainpan back to work:
( Again, referrals and suggestions are more than welcome)
Please Contact or pass on any of my information below:
Jason Calhoun LinkedIn
Jason Calhoun Instagram
Jason Calhoun Facebook
If you made it this far, thank you again. Stay Safe and Stay Sane.
-Jason
Firstly, Thank You for even taking the time to read this. Life has become a bit unconventional lately, and regardless of any contribution, just by you taking a moment here, is a gesture in itself.
Also, I know I’m not unique in needing some support during these times, and I’ve gone back and forth on whether or not to put it out there, but the fact of the matter is that I need a little deliverance ...
Having to expose your personal challenges is a raw and rather vulnerable thing to those who know you. There’s a certain feeling of inadequacy and guilt in needing to ask for help of a monetary nature.
Mainly in knowing you’re really writing to an audience of your colleagues, friends, and family.
It gives rise to a myriad of emotions and embarrassment.
BUT,
I also know that it's an illogical worry to dwell on in this moment.
Especially when an unforeseen force has swept away your job and stranded you in another 'land' with no means to fly home or continue to wait it out. 'Ego and Identity' seem to feel a little less important compared to being a few weeks away from 'destitution & homelessness'.
So, here I am, asking for whatever help anyone feels they can contribute to help me make it back home and get settled. (Judgement is inevitable, but please be gentle.)
Even if it's just a few dollars, or sharing my post, it all helps.
Heck, If you'd like share my LinkedIn for job opportunities, or just give me a good ole' helping of advice, I'll take it.
It’s all welcome. And, honestly, it's more than I had before.
So What Happened?
Well, Covid Happened, the World now wears masks far more often than we wear socks, and each day more economies & industries begin to sputter.
It’s also clear I don’t know the rules on the proper narrative for GoFundMe write ups, but please bear with me, I have to make light of situations where I can find them these days. It’s less bleak that way.
As these last months have passed, almost all of us PADI Dive Instructors found ourselves furloughed while outside of our home countries, and then left without a job, or any means to earn. The passion to teach is high, but the pay, to be transparent, is very meager. ( approx. $30.00 -$40.00 a day on average in case you were wondering.)
And that’s ok, because not a one of the brilliant and vibrant instructors I call friends chose this field for the money. ( That's a few of them above.)
And at the same time, no one foresaw the entire industry just shutting down like a circuit breaker. Many people had money left in their coffers to get home quickly, and at the very least, continue to wait out what we were told would only be a month or so.
Unfortunately, I didn’t. I had a little, but not enough for a flight home.
I’ve been on a 3 year sojourn to get to this passion in life, and had finally earned a sought after, full time position as an Instructor in one of the most beautiful and challenging areas to teach and dive in; Komodo National Park.
And after 4 ½ months of certifying, teaching, and encouraging new divers, I began to find roots in my new home. And then this mess happened. The rest you know.
So now, I have to find a way back home and then back into the corporate fold. (Although I do have faith that the stars and the world will someday align for diving again, and I will be much better prepared)
Anything helps.
As I’ve been away for some time, I don’t have a 'homebase' per se, but getting back to the United States and settling in is my first focus.
Having a bit to survive on for a week or so while looking for jobs will be the second focus.
Flight costs have been going up by the day- as many airlines cut their flights overseas.
The plan at the moment is this:
Flight from Singapore to Indonesia (to pick up my gear/bags), then from Indonesia to California to Florida ( to pick up my car and belongings from storage), and then finally driving to stay on some land in Oregon next to my mother’s RV.
This will, at least, allow me to settle into a ‘home’ (tent) while looking for jobs. ( As I’m sure many of us are doing at the moment)
Any amount will help me get through these next few weeks on the journey back Stateside.
As an aside, I’m having all donations handled by my Mother.
You have to love Moms, they are always doing what they can even if you are all grow’d up. It also makes it easier to have a contact that can readily call customer service, reschedule reservations etc, as many airlines across the world have been cancelling or changing flights rapidly. Logistics can get tricky when dialing from overseas.
A brief background on how I ended up here. ( Feel free to skip these bits, its just some history)
Many of my close family and friends know that in late 2017, I made a very difficult decision to step aside from the fintech industry.
I loved my job, but after 9 years in SF and the startup culture, the accompanying 80 hour work weeks finally tipped the scales.
And so, I embarked out into the world on a mini sabbatical of sorts and looked to find a bit of meaning again.
It was unscripted. It was terrifying. And It was filled with doubt.
( I’ve long wanted to write of these last years, but that’s not for this platform. )
The short of the story is that during all this, something unexpected happened.
While I was "in the field" , a passion for diving in the Ocean manifested, and I set out and became a Padi Specialty Dive Instructor.
There was this charm to the Ocean that felt like magic.
(Also, I'm a Pisces, if that's really a thing.)
What I can offer as Repayment and Thank You.
I'll find a way to repay everyone that gives a little shoulder to lean on.
( Yes, I know that's not needed in a GoFundMe, but karmically, I’ll find a way)
On the Diving Side of Things-
Are you looking to go diving in a paradise when the world opens back up? Interested in getting PADI certified?
If our proximities align, I’d love to teach you one day.
( And of course you don’t have to worry about the instructor cost as it allows me to give back to those who helped me here)
From a Business Operations & Consultant Side of Things -
( This would probably be the most relevant as it's been the lion share of my career)
While abroad, I was also an operations consultant for multiple companies in multiple countries.
Together, we developed strategies to increase outputs of all areas of business.
If you know of any operations leadership positions that need filled, or even a business that needs a consultant, I'm open to adding value.
And for those who like lists:
Areas of focus:
•Director or Sr Mgr of Operations •Development •Operational Readiness •Automations •Project Management •Controls to manage follow through and lasting change.
•Strategies from underlying data.
•Six Sigma •Analysis•Profitability •Talent Development •Operations Analysis • Employee Culture • Automation •Efficiency Implementations •Product Management •Revenue analysis •KPI’s •Policies •Procedures •SOP’s
•Peer to Peer Lending • Underwriting polices
But it’s not just about needing the pennies to make it back home:
As I arrive back to the States, I’ll be looking to put my brainpan back to work:
( Again, referrals and suggestions are more than welcome)
Please Contact or pass on any of my information below:
Jason Calhoun LinkedIn
Jason Calhoun Instagram
Jason Calhoun Facebook
If you made it this far, thank you again. Stay Safe and Stay Sane.
-Jason
Co-organizers (2)
Jason Calhoun
Organizer
Emeryville, CA
Elizabeth Brown
Co-organizer