# engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood; "the professional man or woman possesses distinctive qualifications"; "began her professional career after the Olympics"; "professional theater"; "professional football"; "a professional cook"; "professional actors and athletes" # a person engaged in one of the learned professions # an athlete who plays for pay # engaged in by members of a profession; "professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching" # master: an authority qualified to teach apprentices ____
It's not just for pay. It's also an attitude. I am a professional biologist and a professional teacher, despite not getting paid for either at the moment. I am amateur artist, despite having been paid for my artwork, though I try to increasingly approach my art in a professional way.
The term was invented to describe a person who declared a vocation (usually a religious calling), but it has come to mean someone who learns to do something well enough to deserve to be paid for it. It doesn't require you be paid, just that you perform at a level worthy of it.
When someone pays for your work, they are declaring you a professional. You don't have to agree that your work is at that level, but when you accept payment you're not exactly disagreeing.
Merriam-Webster agrees it is also an attitude, but that's a separate definition, and a minor one: "Exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace". I know, that's not what you meant.
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Date: 2007-07-17 08:14 pm (UTC)according to Princeton
Date: 2007-07-18 01:07 am (UTC)# a person engaged in one of the learned professions
# an athlete who plays for pay
# engaged in by members of a profession; "professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching"
# master: an authority qualified to teach apprentices
____
It's not just for pay. It's also an attitude. I am a professional biologist and a professional teacher, despite not getting paid for either at the moment. I am amateur artist, despite having been paid for my artwork, though I try to increasingly approach my art in a professional way.
Re: according to Princeton
Date: 2007-07-18 05:55 am (UTC)When someone pays for your work, they are declaring you a professional. You don't have to agree that your work is at that level, but when you accept payment you're not exactly disagreeing.
Merriam-Webster agrees it is also an attitude, but that's a separate definition, and a minor one: "Exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace". I know, that's not what you meant.