Define 'professionalism'

[Ian PES]

How would you define 'professionalism'? Or what does it mean to you....Say, in one or two lines?

....Ok, will come clean: it's for my wife's teacher training essay...but I thought it's an interesting question....My own view is that professionalism is about maximising efficiency, minimising errors and in general having a 'process' in place for the way things are done.

 

[smo]

"Professionalism" - doing your own essays and research, particuarly if you want to join the teaching profession!

 

[Ian PES]

"Professionalism" - doing your own essays and research, particuarly if you want to join the teaching profession!

....Er, was intended as a kind of an informal questionaire (= research, no?) to add to her other data...I thought it would be good (my idea) to hear the views of professionals/people in business. But you know, a generous, helpful response is always welcome, thank you

 

[paulears]

When you become a teacher, you have a lot of rules to follow, and you have in your control the ability to cheat the system. As a result, it is expected that teachers have 'professional integrity' to know exactly how far to help, or not. A teacher automatically becomes 'a professional' by virtue of qualification, and also has to behave in a 'professional' manner - but the usual definition of professional is about standards and skill levels - so making a living from a skill is a good one, but that just gives contrast with 'amateur' - which could be the same skills but not paid. Professional is always context driven.

 

[Philip Hoyle]

Professionalism is about respect, responsibility, integrity and honesty. It's doing things properly and not cutting corners, it's about acting in a responsible manner.

In reality, it means having a smart appearance, doing what you say you're going to do, doing it properly.

Efficiency, systemisation, etc isn't, in my opinion, anything to do with professionalism. You can easily be an efficient and systemised criminal or fraudster.

 

[Psl]

Professionalism is about respect, responsibility, integrity and honesty. It's doing things properly and not cutting corners, it's about acting in a responsible manner.

In reality, it means having a smart appearance, doing what you say you're going to do, doing it properly.

Efficiency, systemisation, etc isn't, in my opinion, anything to do with professionalism. You can easily be an efficient and systemised criminal or fraudster.

Good points, well made, save for the 'smart appearance' point. I don't think it applies to all sectors.i.e. I work with a number of biomass boiler and district heating engineers, who all tend to wear overalls the minority of the time, and their professionalism is unquestionable.

 

[cjd]

Professionalism is being paid to do work.

The word has been purloined by the middle classes to make what they do sound more important than those that simply do a job.

 

[Merchant UK]

The competence or skill expected of a professional.

 

Professionalism is being paid to do work.

The word has been purloined by the middle classes to make what they do sound more important than those that simply do a job.

Not to mention charging a tad more.

Funny thing is it would seem that the so called professionals seem to be the ones who end up in court or under investigation for wrong doing.

Bankers or almost anyone involved in the financial industry being a point in case.

 

[Philip Hoyle]

Good points, well made, save for the 'smart appearance' point. I don't think it applies to all sectors.i.e. I work with a number of biomass boiler and district heating engineers, who all tend to wear overalls the minority of the time, and their professionalism is unquestionable.

Fully agree - being "smart" doesn't mean suit & tie. You can still look smart in a boiler suit if it fits properly, isn't damaged nor torn etc., and is laundered at appropriate intervals. Just as easily as it is to be a mess wearing a suit & tie if it doesn't fit, has holes in the sleeves or hasn't been cleaned lately.

Funny thing is it would seem that the so called professionals seem to be the ones who end up in court or under investigation for wrong doing.

The courts and prisons are full of people from all walks of life including the unemployed, teachers, nurses, etc. I'm fairly sure that the statistics won't show a higher proportion of professionals in the justice system as opposed to other groups of people.

 

The courts and prisons are full of people from all walks of life including the unemployed, teachers, nurses, etc. I'm fairly sure that the statistics won't show a higher proportion of professionals in the justice system as opposed to other groups of people.

Well in terms of monetary value I am pretty sure the so called professional classes come out well in front.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

An amateur knows it only takes 30 minutes to put up some bookshelves.

A professional knows it takes all day.

If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.
Red Adair

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[Spinoza]

A professional will undertake a task which they are trained for and do it correctly even if no one would ever know if they decided to cut corners. Professionalism is part of your identity and your integrity towards yourself.

 

Professionalism is part of your identity and your integrity towards yourself.

Sounds more like schizophrenia to me.:|

 

[paulears]

Professionalism is NOT always about being paid to do work. A rubbish electrician, who cuts corners, but is safe - but few would consider them to show professionalism, however it's not the same as professional. Consider the opposite. An amateur can produce professional quality work, and a professional could do work in an amateurish manner. It's the way the words are used. Amateurish, and professionalism are perhaps the opposite ends? Amateur and professional might well only differ because of money, but a gifted amateur could well be better than a lazy and poorly trained professional. The term 'the professions' is still used - doctors, lawyers, teachers and a number of other career paths still carry the tag, but again - that's not the same use of the word. I firmly believe 'professional' is context dependent.