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Original poster

What do you count as a 'professional' job?

284 replies

Llamapalma · 30/09/2022 23:39

My DSis and I have been arguing this tonight.

What in your opinion counts as a 'professional' job?

Certain wage? Anyone who works in an office? Anyone who has to dress smart? Certain job titles?

OP posts:
DifficultBloodyWoman · 30/09/2022 23:55

To me, a profession is a lawyer, doctor, surveyor, accountant etc.

Office based and people who have traditionally had to be registered in order to practice.

Teacher is not office based but might just scrape in. (I should point out that I am one). However, in my opinion, a TA wouldn’t make the cut. Teachers did not need to be registered in the past and are classroom based, not office based.

Nurses - controversial - I don’t really see them as a ‘profession’ either. A bit like my rationale for teachers, traditionally ward based not office based.

I do wonder how much of this is because of my own knowledge of the historical professions and how much is just historical bias against traditionally female jobs.

EveSix · 30/09/2022 23:51

Err... working in one of the professions? Clue in the name.

Verytirednow · 30/09/2022 23:47

Anyone who has to pay a registration and prove ongoing study with paperwork .

vodkaredbullgirl · 30/09/2022 23:44

Oh god I hate these sort of questions.

Redlocks30 · 30/09/2022 23:43

Interesting-I would say it’s about having professional qualifications, but others may disagree.

My sister in law talks a lot about her reasons for going into her profession as a TA (love of the children, wanting to help etc) but I’m not sure that is a profession? She has O levels, but no higher qualifications. She may be professional in her everyday role, but does that make you a professional?

skippy67 · 30/09/2022 23:43

As above. A job that you need a formal qualification for. So doctor, lawyer, dentist etc

LittleBearPad · 30/09/2022 23:43

A member of a professional institution ie Law Society, ICAEW etc

ClintonHill · 30/09/2022 23:41

I thought it meant a job you need to be specifically educated for so accountant, lawyer, doctor, dentist etc.

Stichintime · 30/09/2022 23:41

A job that you have to be qualified to do? Not sure if thats the correct definition though!