What Is A "Professional"?

I thought, traditionally, that a "professional" was a Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, Architect... But is it really? Why isn't a Salesperson a professional? Why isn't a Retail Manager a "professional"?

I noticed this on a dating website and it got me to thinking... Some women say that they are interested in men who are "professionals" but, to me, that just means they want someone with a lot of money. "Lottery Winner" is probably just as "professional" to them as long as they're "rich"... But of course, this is off the topic.

Probably someone who got a graduate degree for what they do - but not limited to that. It's just a proxy.

Probably someone, either through education, training, or long experience, has a skill set such they cannot be replaced by a McEmployee. Also, this job cannot involve manual labour.

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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Probably someone, either through education, training, or long experience, has a skill set such they cannot be replaced by a McEmployee. Also, this job cannot involve manual labour.

I would add that there is probably some licensing authority that grants this person a license to do what they do.

Originally Posted by odoreater

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I would add that there is probably some licensing authority that grants this person a license to do what they do.

Good point.

Originally Posted by odoreater

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I would add that there is probably some licensing authority that grants this person a license to do what they do.

The term is use colloquially to denote many things. Hence the inclusion of executives in marketing, maybe, as a professional. But, it is the licensing and self-government that define what truly is a profession. But, I think, a "professional" is usually a member of one of the learned professions: Law, Medicine, and Theology. You can probably take out theology now and apply others by analogy.

The use of the word "professional" in online dating usually means a 4 year degree, and no manual labor. Many women would considered a man who works in medical sales a "professional", while they would not consider a car salesman a professional. If the car salesman had an undergraduate or graduate degree he would still not be considered a professional.

But what about a Police Officer, Firefighter, Electrical Lineman? All good paying jobs (usually) with certifications but one can do them without a college degree. However, all need special training.

Originally Posted by Tck13

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But what about a Police Officer, Firefighter, Electrical Lineman? All good paying jobs (usually) with certifications but one can do them without a college degree. However, all need special training.

Not professional jobs.

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

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Not professional jobs.

What if they own RM Williams shoes?

Originally Posted by Tck13

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What if they own RM Williams shoes?

Smalltimer nonprofessionals.

Originally Posted by Tck13

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But what about a Police Officer, Firefighter, Electrical Lineman? All good paying jobs (usually) with certifications but one can do them without a college degree. However, all need special training.

Those can probably be considered blue collar; though I do know many rich electricans- most still consider them blue collar.

Yeah, I'm a member of one of the professions and I think most master electricians probably make more than I do, especially when you take into account how much I pay for student loans.

Originally Posted by Tck13

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But what about a Police Officer, Firefighter, Electrical Lineman? All good paying jobs (usually) with certifications but one can do them without a college degree. However, all need special training.

All of those have a very material amount of emphasis on manual labour or physicality. I think the basic difference is a "professional" necessarily must mainly use his/her smarts to perform. Anything that involved a high level of physicality or manual labour, is intrinsically not "professional."

I remember learning that classically, the five professions were considered to be physician, clergy, lawyer, military officer and (I can't remember the fifth). The standard was the need for advanced training and the mastery of a large body of knowledge. It was distinguished from the various trades and merchants.

It's probably not a distinction that has much meaning today. "Trade" or "tradesman" has taken on a less prestigious meaning today so that even classical tradesmen refer to themselves as professional plumbers or professional electricians or whatever.

It's a fairly meaningless distinction in a classless society anyway, IMO. "Professional" is a designation that gets passed around like VP titles at a bank.