Are there any fans out there that have been influenced by Dr Cussler's works to the point of actually pursuing a particular career or enrolling in a specific training program.

I for one, have been a diver since 79 or 80. Why did I get into it....because Dirk was a diver.....you get the picture.
Take care
Mike

We'll... I've always wanted to be an author but my verbal skills aren't on that level.. Or a computer wizard like Hiram Yager. In that job, I wish my skills would be on the same level B)

I read Cussler as a kid. His books inspired me to read more. I eventually was awarded a Master's in English. That count?

i loved reading about pitts dives and recently i got my open water divers license. does anyone know what dive levle Pitt happens to be at? i imagine it's a master scuba diver but what kind of different classifications does he and Al have?

just a for-what-it's-worth question

-Ta

I am a Naui dive instructor, rebreather instructor, mixed gas blender, and DAN oxygen instructor. I picked up Cussler's books after becoming the above. My reason for becoming an instructor was my hope to become a marine biologist or in that field. Lets just say the books opened a whole new world for me. They allowed me to put myself into that role and have kept my fire renewed to reach my goal. If anyone is in the industry I would love to chat with you about it and how to further pursue a marine career. Unfortunately, its very hard to make a living as an instructor so I went back to working with at-risk kids to make ends meet. Again, anyone who even knows anyone in the marine research, archeology, or salvage industry I would love to discuss it with you.
Thanks

B) After reading Dirk and Al's life saving dives and adventures, I joined the Navy as a Search and Rescue Swimmer, I later became an Aircrew Photographer and recieved my PADI SCUBA certification while stationed in Hawaii. I left the Navy and I now sell Yachts and boats in San Diego so I can be on or near the water as much as possible.

Hi,

I became a mechanical engineer in 1998 pinned as a Dilbert for eternity. I read my first Dirk Pitt book in 2002?. The novel made me feel really proud and happy to be an mechanical engineer since Dirk is an engineer too. The books make me feel like engineering is a more sexy and adventurous career.

I'm thinking of joining the military reserves. Perhaps an influence by Clive's books. I'm not really into killing or fighting but I feel like I am missing out on a part of human experience.

His books totally inspired me to learn how to dive. I cant wait to do a speciality in wreck and archeology divng!

Lupus

I am hoping to go to greece in august for 10 days to complete an advanced SCUBA dinving course. It would be so sweet. Saving up for it at the moment... cant wait to see if we go.

:)

What a great topic! All of your postings are very interesting. As for Marribiuz, I have a friend who owns a Dive Shop in Cyprus, if you're headed that way, let me know and I'll hook you up.

Cheers,
Dave

Thanks Dave,,

thats really nice of you to offer, hope i remember when the time comes!

Marribiuz

Moller Skycar,

I read about te Moller Skycar in one of Clive's books. Then I looked them up and found they were a real company and so I applied as an engineer there. I didn't get the job but it was a neat way to have found a job...

D

The only influence Clive has had on my career is that I spend a lot of time daydreaming about NUMA...and I am on this website while working. If I were much younger then maybe the books would have influenced me. I was already a diver and a sailor when I got into the books. I am sure that one of the reasons that I love the books so much is because I have done a lot of wreck diving in the past and I have always owned some kind of boat. The books certainly enhance my interests. :)

I am totally influenced by Cussler

I scuba dive. I am working on a career in the Marine endangered species field.
This is me on the red river where it meets with the Mississippi in LA. The paddlefish is a threatened species. I can't send the pic of me because it is too large so if you are interested email me.

nx2nothing@yahoo.com

I am PADI Instuctor, NITROX, Dan O2 Intructor, Med. First Aid Instuctor, Wrck, etc... I love diving it's in my blood. I didn't pick up a novel of Cussler's untill two months ago when I was introduced to his adventurous hero Dirk Pitt through a friend of mine. I have since read 7 of his books and am continuing untill I have read them all. As far as influence, I have always wanted to do many of the things Cussler himself is now doing. I already have a couple of collector cars, I am a rock climber and of course SCUBA. I dive wrecks as often as I can and would love the chance to dive with Cussler's team.
If you like High Adventure check out University of Life and click on the "High Adventure Coalition" link where our motto is "The Unadventurous life is not worth living!"

The influnce that the CC books have had on me ??? i scuba dive and have a love of my local history . other than that the books are a great way to relax at the end of a eventful day . :P todd

I had my first open water dive on Bank Holiday Monday! It was FANTASTIC!!!!!
OK, vis was poor, and it was freezing, and you got almost as wet out the water as in (murphys law, it stoped raining just as we were de-kiting) But I did it! Just 3 more dives and I qualify th:

Lupus

for me: diving, snorkling and reading CC books

I'm still kinda young to get a job, but I want to be a writer, or computer whiz like Hiram Yaegar.

i have loved the water for as long as i can remember. since 1975 my efforts at trying to write have been limited to story ideas, short stories, many attempts to write the great american novel. have been researching every interest of mine for 30 years to include that into my writing. always reading books for not just for the entertainment but insights into the field of writing. my attempts at conversations in my stories are weak. narration comes easier. and when i joined the army in 1982 i would have been in the army corps of engineers had i made it all the way through boot camp. have narrowed my interest in engineering to geographic information systems, hydrology. but am still self-employed in the plastics industry. considering going back to school to study GIS and history.

I grew up 200 yards from the bay but never learned to swim. For five of my 29 years as an employee of an oilfield service company which has been in the news a LOT lately i worked offshore from Louisiana to the Bay of Campeche. The Clive Cussler books influenced my job choices as a fluids engineer by being the on-site
engineer to test many of the environmentally safe drilling mud systems and additives and send my findings back to the labs. In two weeks I will be testing a new system with a synthetic oil base on a land well in south Texas which will help
the environment by drastically lowering toxicity levels. This should make the cat woman's life easier. Also when I drive through Roma,Texas (once or twice a week) I wonder which hill to dig up first. You salvage divers-that's a tough job.

I think Clive Cussler should be proud, and/or honored, that his writing has inspired people to take they path that they have taken.