Hey for one your not starting late in life. That being said I didn’t start my diving career till I was 34. Getting a job isn’t a problem, if your willing to travel, and it sounds like you are. Look at me I got my padi instructor at 35 and have been all over the world. It’s not just a job but more of a life style. You may not get rich, in some ways but you’ll be rich in other ways. As for me I’m a PADI master diver trainer, master boat capt. and own a small dive charter business in the florida pan handle close to Panama City Florida. Look for Mexico Beach Aquatic Adventures on facebook. Any how like a previous post said get a business degree. Also its not required to get a standared degree to dive. You might think about moving to Fla and going to the EASE diving college in Vero Beach Fla. Its a great school and they provide room and board. Its has a zero to hero program so in a few weeks you’ll be a instructor. I went there and had my first job in Grand Caymen before I graduated.
Here at my shop we offer a internship program were you work for PADI scuba ratings from open water through divemaster. If your interested give me a call at 850-260-6774. Anyhow remember Key West is expensive to live there. But As a person who got a late start at 35 if you want to be a dive instructor in the islands just get your instructor and do it. Good luck. Jerry Williams PADI MSDT 237569