Passion vs. Profession — What's the Difference?

An intense emotion compelling action.

An occupation requiring considerable training and specialized studies.

A powerful feeling of enthusiasm for something.

A paid occupation, especially one involving formal qualifications.

A strong inclination toward a particular activity that one loves.

The body of people in a learned occupation.

A boundless enthusiasm for a hobby or activity.

A declaration openly made.

The object of someone’s intense interest or affection.

The act of working in a job that requires special education, training, or skill.

Strong and barely controllable emotion

A profession is an occupation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested objective counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain. Medieval and early modern tradition recognized only three professions: divinity, medicine, and law, which were called the learned professions.

Strong or powerful emotion

An occupation or career

A powerful emotion, such as anger or joy

An occupation, such as law, medicine, or engineering, that requires considerable training and specialized study.

A state of strong sexual desire or love

The body of qualified persons in an occupation or field

The object of such desire or love

An act or instance of professing; a declaration.

Boundless enthusiasm

An avowal of faith or belief.

The object of such enthusiasm

A faith or belief

An abandoned display of emotion, especially of anger

Declaration of faith.

The sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion, as related in the New Testament.

(religion) A promise or vow made on entering a religious order.

A narrative, musical setting, or pictorial representation of Jesus's sufferings.

The declaration of belief in the principles of a religion; hence, one's faith or religion.

Martyrdom

Any declaration of belief, faith or one's opinion, whether genuine or (as now often implied) pretended.

A true desire sustained or prolonged.

Professional occupation.

Any great, strong, powerful emotion, especially romantic love or extreme hate.

An occupation, trade, craft, or activity in which one has a professed expertise in a particular area; a job, especially one requiring a high level of skill or training.

Fervor, determination.

(collective) The practitioners of such an occupation collectively.

An object of passionate or romantic love or strong romantic interest.

The act of professing or claiming; open declaration; public avowal or acknowledgment; as, professions of friendship; a profession of faith.

Sexual intercourse, especially when very emotional.

That which one professed; a declaration; an avowal; a claim; as, his professions are insincere.

The suffering of Jesus leading up to and during his crucifixion.

That of which one professed knowledge; the occupation, if not mechanical, agricultural, or the like, to which one devotes one's self; the business which one professes to understand, and to follow for subsistence; calling; vocation; employment; as, the profession of arms; the profession of a clergyman, lawyer, or physician; the profession of lecturer on chemistry.

A display, musical composition, or play meant to commemorate the suffering of Jesus.

The collective body of persons engaged in a calling; as, the profession distrust him.

(obsolete) Suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress.

The act of entering, or becoming a member of, a religious order.

(obsolete) The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition

The body of people in a learned occupation;

(obsolete) The capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.

An occupation requiring special education (especially in the liberal arts or sciences)

(obsolete) An innate attribute, property, or quality of a thing.

An open avowal (true or false) of some belief or opinion;

(obsolete) Disorder of the mind; madness.

Affirmation of acceptance of some religion or faith;

(obsolete) To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.

(transitive) To give a passionate character to.

The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition; - opposed to action.

Capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.

The state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and influenced by something external to itself; the state of any particular faculty which, under such conditions, becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably excited; any emotion or sentiment (specifically, love or anger) in a state of abnormal or controlling activity; an extreme or inordinate desire; also, the capacity or susceptibility of being so affected; as, to be in a passion; the passions of love, hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, avarice, fear, etc.; a passion for war, or for drink; an orator should have passion as well as rhetorical skill.

Disorder of the mind; madness.

Passion week. See Passion week, below.

To give a passionate character to.

To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.

Strong feeling or emotion

Intense passion or emotion

Something that is desired intensely;

An irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action

A feeling of strong sexual desire

Any object of warm affection or devotion;

The suffering of Jesus at the crucifixion

Passion is an intense interest or love for an activity, pursued for enjoyment, while a profession is a career or job pursued for income, often requiring specialized skills and training.

While not necessary, aligning a profession with one’s passion can increase job satisfaction and career fulfillment.

Yes, it’s common for individuals to have multiple passions and sometimes multiple professions, especially in varied careers or interdisciplinary fields.

Identifying passion often involves exploring different activities, reflecting on what brings joy and fulfillment, and considering what one is willing to spend free time on without monetary compensation.

Society often values professions for their economic contribution and stability, while viewing passions as enrichments that enhance personal life.

Yes, many people turn their passions into professions by gaining the necessary skills and marketability to earn from their interests.

Examples include careers in healthcare, law, education, and engineering, all requiring specific educational backgrounds and qualifications.

Balancing involves time management, setting priorities, and sometimes integrating passion into professional life.

Challenges include marketability, financial stability, and maintaining the initial joy of the passion when it becomes work.

Consider the demand for the passion-related skills, potential income, and personal willingness to handle the administrative aspects of a professional role.

Common advice is to pursue a profession that satisfies personal values and needs, and if possible, align it with one’s passions to maximize fulfillment and happiness.

Passion can drive motivation, innovation, and persistence, which are crucial for success in any career.

Passion can enhance job performance, increase resilience, and lead to greater career satisfaction and personal growth.

Strategies include continuing education, networking, and finding or creating job roles that merge personal interests with professional skills.

Reasons include financial stability, job availability, societal expectations, or simply not having a passion that easily translates into a career.