My licenses were issued by the State Board of Technical Professions. That is a good start to being able to claim the title "professional". How one behaves is what keeps one recognized as a "professional".
Scott,
Interesting distinction between profession and trade. Your answer is well thought out.
Dave
Dan,
The difference between selling a skill and selling knowledge. I like that. Good answer.
Dave
This post about professionals reminds me of all the seventies bands that started to suck because they were more busy sitting then playing.
A professional is a courteous individual that gets it done on time and budget (re-adjusted or not) and keep the BS to a minimum. Doesn't matter how many sardines one has on its shirt.
A professional can be anyone from any ranks. A professional is very easy to notice.
> This post about professionals reminds me of all the seventies bands that started to suck because they were more busy sitting then playing.
>
> A professional is a courteous individual that gets it done on time and budget (re-adjusted or not) and keep the BS to a minimum. Doesn't matter how many sardines one has on its shirt.
>
> A professional can be anyone from any ranks. A professional is very easy to notice.
I kinda agree with that. Professionalism is a state of mind and an attitude. I know of a few guys I've met who run around with a Seal that I wouldn't pay apprentice rate. Then there are those who wake up every morning with the right outlook and skill set and I have a hard time trying not to overpay them, license or not. A true professional emanates an aura that is noticeable by everyone (Client, subordinate and boss). I've watched guys clean toilets and walked away impressed by their methodologies and demeanor, that made them professional to me. It starts with personal pride and most Professionals I know, make those around them better just by their words and actions.
Ralph
> SDV,
>
>
> I'd still like to know, if it's at all knowable, what is THE distinction between a profession and a trade.
>
> Dave
There is no decisive line between the two, but there certainly are predominating characteristics to each.
To qualify as a profession there must be a mental component to what you do. The mental component must have a theoretical base of principles that inform and guide the practical knowledge and skill set. The body of knowledge that is comprised of both the theoretical principles and the practical knowledge must be considerably large, and much more likely than not, be entrusted to the college or university setting.
There should be some official seal of approval issued to the practitioners of the discipline that is based upon some standardized value, be it an exam, or education, or experience, or a combination of the above. This seal of approval serves as an entry gate to the discipline.
The profession should be organized by a leadership body comprised of its own members who either administer or confer the aforementioned seal of approval for the discipline or provide strong guidance to the government body that administers it.
There are other factors, but these are probably the predominant ones.
Stephen
> Dan,
>
> The difference between selling a skill and selling knowledge. I like that. Good answer.
>
> Dave
I can't agree with that answer. It has some truth to it, in that it alludes to the all-important role of knowledge that must be present to qualify as a profession. But many professions have a physical component to them, such as medical, archeology, airline pilot. There may or may not be a physical component, but there has to be a mental component.
Stephen
>
> I kinda agree with that. Professionalism is a state of mind and an attitude. I know of a few guys I've met who run around with a Seal that I wouldn't pay apprentice rate. Then there are those who wake up every morning with the right outlook and skill set and I have a hard time trying not to overpay them, license or not.
It starts with personal pride and most Professionals I know, make those around them better just by their words and actions.
>
>
> Ralph
I hear you, Ralph, but that is a different meaning of the word profession.
You are right, a dog-walker can be professional, but they can't be a professional.
Stephen
Stephan,
"To qualify as a profession there must be a mental component to what you do."
I can't imagine a trade that doesn't require thought.
"The profession should be organized by a leadership body comprised of its own members who either administer or confer the aforementioned seal of approval for the discipline or provide strong guidance to the government body that administers it."
That's the definition of a guild. So the distinction between a Profession and a Trade is in the seeking of advantage through exclusion of competition?
I prefer the definitions from Scott and Dan.
Dave
>
> That's the definition of a guild. So the distinction between a Profession and a Trade is in the seeking of advantage through exclusion of competition?
>
> I prefer the definitions from Scott and Dan.
>
> Dave
Why do you assume that they aren't seeking to protect the disparagement of both the public and the profession by excluding the unqualified?
Stephen
> Stephan,
>
> "To qualify as a profession there must be a mental component to what you do."
>
> I can't imagine a trade that doesn't require thought.
>
>
> Dave
OK, now answer to the rest of my comment such as that the body of knowledge must be vast, there must be a theoretical base that informs the practical knowledge, and that the body of knowledge much more likely than not, will be entrusted to colleges and universities.
Stephen
Stephan,
"Excluding the unqualified" should be the job of the purchaser of said service.
If you need to feel better by calling it "protecting the public," then you have a pretty low opinion of the decision-making capabilities of your fellow humans. Would you go to a bad doctor just because he has a current license?
If "the public" can't decide whether to malign just the practicioner or his entire profession, maybe both deserve to be maligned. Most people can judge the worth of a carpenter without linking their judgement to carpentry.
Dave
Stephan,
"the body of knowledge must be vast"
Since that applies also to a good tradesman, I can't see it as a distinction between profession and trade.
"theoretical base" = Selling Knowledge
"practical knowledge" = Selling Skill
"the body of knowledge ... entrusted to colleges and universities."
OK, you've got a point. Where we receive our training might be a distinction. However I know several PLS's that have no college degree. (Yes, I know it's a requirement nowadays.)
Dave
