Is it a title earned with a degree; with a paycheck; achieved via some level of accomplishment, or refer to one's demeanor?
Maybe the definition is learned with a "compared to who/what" situation. A high school athlete is an amateur. A Green Bay Packer is professional. The difference here is the skill level and the check the Packer gets in his checking account every Tuesday.
Journeymen and women and apprentices serve time on the job learning a trade. As they learn and graduate through the process, they become professionals. If I'm calling an electrician to the house to replace wiring, I want a professional. I trust they know the building code and all the safety rules so the home is safe when the job is done. Professionals are folks you can trust to do the job.
It's possible to become a professional with a degree, especially a law or medical diploma, but most of us probably still impose higher standards on what we think of as a professional doctor. We know we don't want an amateur doctor when it comes down to the serious stuff.
Learning on the job, in school, and through on-going education opportunities may improve and update skill-sets. Beyond the knowledge comes an expectation of a high ethical standard as a professional. We've all heard stories about crooks and scam artists preying on folks under the veneer of professional service.
Yet, in day to day life I believe the expectations that accompany any professional is how they act. Polite, civil, ethical, and placing the customer/client/patient interest above own are a good place to start.
Professional? I'd like to think so, how about you?
Comments
Post a Comment