Profession

A profession is a specialized work function within society, generally performed by a professional. For the monastic sense, see Profession (religious).

History

Historically, the number of professions was limited: members of the clergy, medical doctors, and lawyers held the monopoly on professional status and on professional education, with military officers occasionally recognised as social equals. Self-governing bodies such as guilds or colleges, backed by state-granted charters guaranteeing monopolies, limited access to and behaviour within such professions.

Related Topics:
Clergy - Medical - Doctor - Lawyer - Status - Military - Officer - Charter - Monopolies

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

With the rise of technology and occupational specialisation in the 19th century, other bodies began to claim "professional" status: engineers, paramedics, educationalists and even accountants, until today almost any occupational group can -- at least unofficially -- aspire to professional rank and cachet, and popular recognition of this trend has made possible the widespread recognition of prostitution as "the oldest profession".

Related Topics:
Engineer - Paramedic - Education - Accountant - Rank - Cachet - Prostitution

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~