What Is A "Professional"?

Tck13 · Nov 23, 2009

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.

MetroStyles · Nov 23, 2009

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

Piobaire · Nov 23, 2009

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.

odoreater · Nov 23, 2009

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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.

Piobaire · Nov 23, 2009

Originally Posted by odoreater

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

Good point.

HEWSINATOR · Nov 23, 2009

Originally Posted by odoreater

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.

eqpablon · Nov 23, 2009

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.

Tck13 · Nov 23, 2009

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.

MetroStyles · Nov 23, 2009

Originally Posted by Tck13

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.

Tck13 · Nov 23, 2009

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

Not professional jobs.

What if they own RM Williams shoes?

MetroStyles · Nov 23, 2009

Originally Posted by Tck13

What if they own RM Williams shoes?

Smalltimer nonprofessionals.

Cavalier · Nov 23, 2009

Originally Posted by Tck13

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.

munchausen · Nov 23, 2009

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.

Piobaire · Nov 23, 2009

Originally Posted by Tck13

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."

Mark from Plano · Nov 23, 2009

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.

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