Difference between Occupation and Profession
|
Basis |
Occupation |
Profession |
|---|---|---|
|
Meaning |
The term “occupation” describes a person’s regular work that provides them with income. |
A profession is a kind of work that requires a high level of specialization and knowledge in a given sector. |
|
Requirement of higher education |
Occupation doesn’t require a high level of knowledge to pursue a job; generally, basic education is required to undertake the task. |
A profession requires industry-specific certification and a degree; one can only pursue the profession after obtaining such a degree or certification. |
|
Code of conduct |
Generally, there is no code of conduct to regulate occupations |
Professionals need to abide by professional ethics and the codes of conduct issued by their mother institutes. |
|
Degree of responsibility |
People who are engaged in occupations possess a low degree of responsibility as there is no set code of conduct or regulatory body to regulate. |
A person who is engaged in a profession possesses a high degree of professional responsibility as they have to adhere to professional ethics and the institute’s regulations. |
|
Degree of independence |
A person engaged in an occupation is not independent in discharging his duties or job role. |
A person engaged in a profession is completely independent in discharging his duties and role. |
|
Basis of pay |
The basis of pay is the output a person can give after completing his job. |
The basis of pay in the case of a professional is completely dependent on his skills, expertise, and knowledge of the industry. |
|
Certification requirement |
Occupations may not have licensing or certification requirements to undergo jobs. |
Professions have strict requirements for certification and licensing to pursue the profession. |
|
Training requirement |
There is no such requirement for training, as following basic guidelines can help in undergoing an occupation. |
There is a compulsory training period that needs to be fulfilled by the professional candidate; usually, the curriculum of the certification also contains mandatory training procedures. |
Difference between Occupation and Profession
Occupations and Professions offer a wide variety of opportunities for individuals to apply their knowledge and expertise in the domain. Occupation is the activity a person does for a living, a person may engage in business, employment, or a profession to gain money. A profession is an activity that requires for certain education, experience, credentials, and abilities. However, both of them represent distinct concepts with subtle differences. Understanding these differences is essential to understanding the world of work and career development.