| Revision as of 13:34, 24 June 2007 editGavin.collins (talk | contribs)18,503 edits Deletion of unreferenced opinion← Previous edit | Revision as of 18:01, 24 June 2007 edit undoGavin.collins (talk | contribs)18,503 edits Definition of professionNext edit → | ||
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| :''This article is about work professions. For people engaged in a profession, see ]. For religious professions, see ].'' | :''This article is about work professions. For people engaged in a profession, see ]. For religious professions, see ].'' | ||
| A '''profession''' is defined as a ] in which ] based on ] ] aquired through ] and ] of competence by a ] or ] is applied to the affairs of others or in the practise of an art in order to meet their needs. It is therefore necessary to distinguish between a ] who is engaged in a ] ] (such as a professional singer), and a member of a profession. The term is generally used to imply some favourable status and many different ] representing people following a similar ] aspire to professional status for their members.<ref>Perks, R.W.(1993).''Accountancy and Society''. London: Chapman & Hall. Page 2</ref>. | |||
| A “profession” is different from an “occupation” because of several important characteristics. These characteristics are special knowledge, special privileges, and special responsibilities. | |||
| ⚫ | ==History== | ||
| ⚫ | Classically, there were only three professions: ], ], and ]. These three professions each hold to a specific code of ethics, and members are almost universally required to swear some form of oath to uphold those ethics, therefore "professing" to a higher standard of accountability. Each of these professions also provides and requires extensive training in the meaning, value, and importance of its particular oath in the practice of that profession. | ||
| A professional’s special knowledge is derived from extensive ] and ]. Their special privileges are allotted to them via ]. Their special responsibilities are self imposed ]. All professional codes of ethics require individuals to utilize their independent judgment and to always act in the interest of ]. | |||
| The learned professions are ], ], ], and ]. ], ], ], and Military Officers are often correctly grouped with the learned professions. | |||
| ⚫ | Classically, there were only three professions: |
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| A member of a profession is termed a '']''. However, ''professional'' is also used for the acceptance of payment for an activity, in contrast to ''amateur''. A professional sportsperson, for example, is one who receives payment for participating in sport, but sport is not generally considered a profession. | |||
| It should be noted that studying a particular profession does not make one a professional. Often students graduate with degrees in engineering, but never peruse the difficult process of becoming a licensed professional. This is common because many engineering jobs do not require licensed professionals. People often study theology simple to indulge personal interests and express no interest in professional practice. Likewise, some researchers will study medicine with no intention of ever becoming a licensed professional and practicing medicine. | |||
| ⚫ | ==History== | ||
| Historically, the number of professions was limited: members of the ], ] ]s, and ]s held the monopoly on professional ] and on professional education, with ] ]s recognized as social equals. Self-governing bodies such as ''guilds'' or ''colleges'', backed by state-granted ]s guaranteeing ], limited access to and behavior within such professions. | Historically, the number of professions was limited: members of the ], ] ]s, and ]s held the monopoly on professional ] and on professional education, with ] ]s recognized as social equals. Self-governing bodies such as ''guilds'' or ''colleges'', backed by state-granted ]s guaranteeing ], limited access to and behavior within such professions. | ||
Revision as of 18:01, 24 June 2007
- This article is about work professions. For people engaged in a profession, see Professional. For religious professions, see Profession (religious).
A profession is defined as a vocation in which skill based on theoretical knowledge aquired through training and examination of competence by a professional body or educational institution is applied to the affairs of others or in the practise of an art in order to meet their needs. It is therefore necessary to distinguish between a professional who is engaged in a full-time career (such as a professional singer), and a member of a profession. The term is generally used to imply some favourable status and many different trade groups representing people following a similar occupation aspire to professional status for their members..
History
Classically, there were only three professions: Divinity, Medicine, and Law. These three professions each hold to a specific code of ethics, and members are almost universally required to swear some form of oath to uphold those ethics, therefore "professing" to a higher standard of accountability. Each of these professions also provides and requires extensive training in the meaning, value, and importance of its particular oath in the practice of that profession.
Historically, the number of professions was limited: members of the clergy, medical doctors, and lawyers held the monopoly on professional status and on professional education, with military officers recognized as social equals. Self-governing bodies such as guilds or colleges, backed by state-granted charters guaranteeing monopolies, limited access to and behavior within such professions.
With the rise of technology and occupational specialization in the 19th century, other bodies began to claim "professional" status: physical therapist, engineers, teachers and nurses.
With the church having receded in its role in western society, the remaining classical professions (law and medicine) are both noted by many as requiring not just study to enter, but extensive study and accreditation above and beyond simply getting a university degree. Accordingly more recently-formalized disciplines, such as architecture, which now have equally-long periods of study associated with them, and which are becoming considered as their equal.
See also
- List of occupations
- Professional development
- Professional degree
- Professional class
- Professional responsibility
References
- Perks, R.W.(1993).Accountancy and Society. London: Chapman & Hall. Page 2
- Holm, Ivar (2006). Ideas and Beliefs in Architecture and Industrial design: How attitudes, orientations and underlying assumptions shape the built environment. Oslo School of Architecture and Design. ISBN 8254701741.
Bayles, Michael D. Professional Ethics. 2nd ed. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1989. http://www.ncees.org/exams/study_materials/fe_handbook/fe_ethics.pdf
External links
- American Psychological Association Code of Ethics 2002
- New Zealand Teachers Council Code of Ethics
- New Zealand Post-Primary Teachers association response to the NZ Teachers Council Code of Ethics
- National Education Association (USA) Code of Ethics
- American Librarians Association (USA)
- Association for Computing Machinery (USA)
- Society of Professional Journalists
- American Psychological Association (USA)
- National Association of Realtors
- UK Landscape Institute
- Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
- American Anthropological Association (USA)
- National Society of Professional Engineers
- Radio and Television News Directors Association
- British Columbia Internationally Trained Professionals
- The Profession of Arms In Canada