Vocation vs Profession
The terms vocation and profession are often used interchangeably to refer to the work or job an individual has to support themselves and their family. While they share similarities and overlap in some aspects, there are differences between the two, which will be discussed in this article.
Profession
When meeting new people, it’s common to be asked about your profession, which is a polite way of learning about your source of income. There are numerous professions or paid occupations that require extensive training and qualifications, such as degrees or certifications. Examples of professions include medicine, law, teaching, and business. Within these fields, there are various roles like doctors, nurses, attorneys, judges, teachers, and entrepreneurs. Professions like teaching and medicine are often considered noble because they allow practitioners to earn money while helping others. Regardless of the profession, a certain level of qualification, usually obtained through training, is necessary.
Vocation
A vocation is an occupation or employment that is pursued more for its benefits to others or society rather than for monetary gains, with income being a secondary benefit. Vocations are often seen as fulfilling psychological and spiritual needs for the individual. The term vocation is derived from the Latin word “Vocare,” meaning “to call.”
In Christianity, vocation refers to a divine call from God to take up a religious job. For Catholics, marriage and celibacy have been considered two vocations. The concept of vocation gives a vertical dimension to our lives, as it is a calling given to us by God and tells us what he wants us to do with our lives.
In modern times, a vocation refers to an occupation for which a person has special abilities or training.
Key Takeaways
- A profession is a paid occupation that requires extensive training and qualifications, such as degrees or certifications.
- A vocation is an occupation pursued more for its benefits to others or society rather than for monetary gains, with income being a secondary benefit.
- Professions require training and qualification, while vocations are innate abilities or callings towards a particular occupation.
