Career or Job or Profession

[dtmpower]

Current employer is trying to encourage me and other similar level colleagues to complete an internal training scheme.

Following a conversation with one of the team leaders today. I tried to explain that I didn't have a career rather I had a job but not a profession.

What is the PH opinion on the difference between a job, a career or a profession ?

[Olf]

A job you do for money.

A career is a job with potential to earn more money as time goes by.

A profession is a career you enjoy, a calling.

Without looking at a dictionary, that's how I'd describe them.

Edited by Olf on Monday 10th May 23:12

[dtmpower]

Olf - that's pretty much what I was thinking.

Also from a personal perspective. I am nearly 30, Physics graduate, failed Air Traffic controller and 5 years in IT/telecoms flitting around jobs rarely longer than 6 months with the longest role being 18 months !

Hardly the basis of a 'career' !

[lestag]

A job you do for money.

A career is a job that you really like to do and want to improved your experiance (i.e. it helpdesk --> it manager over time)

A profession is flash word for a job.

Without looking at a dictionary, that's how I'd describe them.

[bogwoppit]

Not sure I agree on 'career'. Without looking at a dictionary, I'd describe a career as a simple succession of occupations (not necessarily jobs!). Profession I would describe as a job role exists across organisations, and has a level of standardisation across them and/or training.

[cs02rm0]

I'd say a profession would be a skilled job.

[Munter]

A job is what you do for money. E.g. Design Engineer
A career is the chain of jobs you've done and might do in the future. e.g. Cleaner, Bar maid, Design Engineer, Senior Design engineer, Quick Fit trainee.
A profession is essentially the subject your working in. E.g. Engineering.

[zippy3x]

A Job is what you do to earn money
A Career is a series of jobs to hopefully move you forward (however you measure that)
A Profession is a job done by people who think they should be more important than they are

[Slow M]

Why is it a "scheme" and not a program?
Why are you averse to it?
Are you expected to pay for it?
Will it make you more valuable to your current employer?
Do you like what you do?

I have a calling. It is for MODERN architecture. I have little or no desire to go back into that field to draw cute little Victorians, or Queen Anne, Craftsman...

I LOVE it and I will do what it takes to get back into it.

By the way, anyone reading this looking for help in an architectural firm in Seattle?
B

[dtmpower]

Some interesting replies, mostly similar views to me.

I have a 'career' as in a job and education history. But I don't feel like I am in a career.

How many people grow up to be 'x' and plan early on to persue the training and skills required.

Is 29 considered too old to start a fresh ?