In pursuit of professionalism
Have always pursued professional growth and challenges. Perhaps at the cost of a career, for which I have no regrets. So if the next job hop, meant no designation change or no huge pay hike, but a good learning, I grabbed the same. The journey has been exciting and rewarding, exposing me not only to newer learnings, but different company cultures, value systems, etc. some of which were indeed awesome, to say the least. It also taught me to be outward focussed, that my world should not be confined and restricted to just one company. In that sense, am happy to have focussed on becoming a professional rather than a career person.
A professional is…
To me, a professional is a person who earns his/her livelihood out of an occupation that is backed by academic learnings/qualifications. Academic qualifications is also the distinguishing line between a skilled labourer, (like a tailor or trader), and a professional. Else skilled labourers too would qualify as professionals.
In the corporate world, I consider most employees as career people, who wish to climb the rungs of the ladder. They do it organically in the same company or inorganically by joining another organisation. This encourages job-hopping. Organic growth is often marked by rivalry, bitterness and intense competition, at times, is cut-throat.
However, an individual has a choice between professional calling and career growth. Both are not necessarily the same. Career growth can come through company loyalty, even without professional growth. A long duration of company service, through sheer momentum, can raise employee rank and designation to another level. Company growth propels individual career growth. Should they begin a private practice, then they move over to the other side, a professionals. Hence most of them, to gain experience and exposure, begin registering with an institute.
Can doctors/lawyers, be considered professionals?
Professional growth is not easy to come by and requires dedication and determination. And the high risk, akin to any business, of little or no returns. Lawyers, doctors, etc are often considered as professionals. However, doctors attached to hospitals/clinics, lawyers with law firms may not qualify as professionals as they have a ladder to climb and depend on salaries, unlike professionals, who do not know where their next meal comes from.
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Another advantage of a professional and a big one at that, is that there is no “best before” or age limit!
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