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0 pointsalkonaut6y ago0 comments

> Are you just asking what a 'professional' is? As in you're not a native speaker?

Indeed.

> Are you confusing the term with just 'anyone who works for a living'? That's not what 'professional' means.

That's how it's commonly used in sports, perhaps that's where I got it from. I'd call any athlete who performs their sport for a living "professional", not because they are e.g. part of a specific league, but exactly because they can do it for a living.

But regardless: which people in a typical company would be the professionals? People with protected titles (Lawyers, etc)? How do e.g. Engineers fit in?

0 comments

chrisseaton6y ago

I think the amateur/professional use is a bit different, because nobody is an amateur call centre worker.

> But regardless: which people in a typical company would be the professionals? People with protected titles (Lawyers, etc)? How do e.g. Engineers fit in?

People who's careers would traditionally have been part of learned societies that you had to profess vows to get into, and then careers that have grown up around that.

Lawyers, engineers, HR, marketing (there are learned societies for HR and marketing), etc.

reificator6y ago

> I think the amateur/professional use is a bit different, because nobody is an amateur call centre worker.

There are political volunteer call center workers aiding the campaign of their favored candidate.

chrisseaton6y ago

I really don’t think that’s what the amateur/professional distinction means. You’re taking it a bit literally.

OJFord6y ago

Additionally, the other dichotomy (for this use of 'professional') is vocational/professional.

A barber is probably even qualified (which the call centre worker may not be), but it's a vocational qualification; cutting hair is their vocation; it isn't a profession.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointsalkonaut6y ago0 comments

> Are you just asking what a 'professional' is? As in you're not a native speaker?

Indeed.

> Are you confusing the term with just 'anyone who works for a living'? That's not what 'professional' means.

But regardless: which people in a typical company would be the professionals? People with protected titles (Lawyers, etc)? How do e.g. Engineers fit in?

0 comments

chrisseaton6y ago

I think the amateur/professional use is a bit different, because nobody is an amateur call centre worker.

> But regardless: which people in a typical company would be the professionals? People with protected titles (Lawyers, etc)? How do e.g. Engineers fit in?

People who's careers would traditionally have been part of learned societies that you had to profess vows to get into, and then careers that have grown up around that.

Lawyers, engineers, HR, marketing (there are learned societies for HR and marketing), etc.

reificator6y ago

> I think the amateur/professional use is a bit different, because nobody is an amateur call centre worker.

There are political volunteer call center workers aiding the campaign of their favored candidate.

chrisseaton6y ago

I really don’t think that’s what the amateur/professional distinction means. You’re taking it a bit literally.

OJFord6y ago

Additionally, the other dichotomy (for this use of 'professional') is vocational/professional.

A barber is probably even qualified (which the call centre worker may not be), but it's a vocational qualification; cutting hair is their vocation; it isn't a profession.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse