Vocation vs. Profession — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 13, 2023
Vocation refers to a calling or occupation, especially one that involves a sense of passion or dedication. Profession generally implies a career that requires specialized training, education, and qualifications.
Difference Between Vocation and Profession
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Vocation is often regarded as a life's calling or mission that someone feels naturally drawn towards. Profession, on the other hand, is a career that often requires formal training and education. While vocation is driven by internal motivation, profession is generally driven by external factors such as job opportunities and salary.
Vocation can encompass a wide range of activities that give one a sense of fulfillment, whether or not they are paid endeavors. Profession, however, typically focuses on occupations that are organized in a way to uphold certain standards and require a formal credential, like medicine or law.
It's possible for a vocation and a profession to overlap; one can feel called to their profession. But in many cases, a vocation can exist outside of professional life, as with artists or volunteers who feel a strong sense of purpose but may not earn a living from their calling.
Vocation doesn't necessarily require formal education or training, as it’s primarily based on personal passion and aptitude. Profession almost always involves a series of educational steps and recognized qualifications. In summary, while vocation is rooted in personal fulfillment, profession is often rooted in societal structure and expectations.
Comparison Chart
Source of Motivation
Internal, based on passion
External, often based on career prospects
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Training Required
Not necessarily
Usually requires formal training
Earning Potential
May or may not involve payment
Generally a paid occupation
Societal Recognition
Not always formally recognized
Usually recognized and regulated
Example Fields
Art, spirituality, volunteerism
Medicine, engineering, law
Compare with Definitions
Vocation
A life's calling often driven by a strong sense of purpose.
Her vocation as a nurse was evident from her compassionate nature.
Profession
A career that requires specialized training and qualifications.
Law is a profession that requires years of study.
Vocation
An occupation that one feels naturally drawn towards.
Teaching was his vocation, not just a job.
Profession
An occupation governed by a regulatory body.
Medicine is a tightly regulated profession.
Vocation
A career that offers a sense of spiritual or emotional fulfillment.
For him, pastoral care was a vocation.
Profession
A job that usually involves a code of ethics.
Journalism is a profession with its own set of ethical guidelines.
Vocation
Any endeavor that one feels committed to, even if unpaid.
His vocation as a volunteer firefighter was a source of pride.
Profession
A career that is often paid and publicly recognized.
Acting is a profession that can bring both fame and fortune.
Vocation
A field where personal passion outweighs financial considerations.
She followed her vocation in wildlife conservation despite its low pay.
Profession
A field of work usually associated with a formal education.
Accountancy is a profession requiring a college degree.
Vocation
A vocation (from Latin vocatio 'a call, summons') is an occupation to which a person is especially drawn or for which they are suited, trained, or qualified. People can be given information about a new occupation through student orientation.
Profession
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.
Vocation
A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation
Not all of us have a vocation to be nurses or doctors
Profession
An occupation or career
"One of the highest compliments a child can pay a parent is to choose his or her profession" (Joan Nathan).
Vocation
A regular occupation, especially one for which a person is particularly suited or qualified.
Profession
An occupation, such as law, medicine, or engineering, that requires considerable training and specialized study.
Vocation
An inclination or aptness for a certain kind of work
A vocation for medicine.
Profession
The body of qualified persons in an occupation or field
Members of the teaching profession.
Vocation
(Theology) A calling of an individual by God, especially for a religious career.
Profession
An act or instance of professing; a declaration.
Vocation
An inclination to undertake a certain kind of work, especially a religious career; often in response to a perceived summons; a calling.
Profession
An avowal of faith or belief.
Vocation
An occupation for which a person is suited, trained or qualified.
Nursing is a vocation, which many people find horrendous.
Profession
A faith or belief
Believers of various professions.
Vocation
A call; a summons; a citation; especially, a designation or appointment to a particular state, business, or profession.
What can be urged for them who not having the vocation of poverty to scribble, out of mere wantonness make themselves ridiculous?
Profession
Declaration of faith.
Vocation
Destined or appropriate employment; calling; occupation; trade; business; profession.
He would think his service greatly rewarded, if he might obtain by that means to live in the sight of his prince, and yet practice his own chosen vocation.
Profession
(religion) A promise or vow made on entering a religious order.
She died only a few years after her profession.
Vocation
A calling by the will of God.
Profession
The declaration of belief in the principles of a religion; hence, one's faith or religion.
Vocation
The bestowment of God's distinguishing grace upon a person or nation, by which that person or nation is put in the way of salvation; as, the vocation of the Jews under the old dispensation, and of the Gentiles under the gospel.
Profession
Any declaration of belief, faith or one's opinion, whether genuine or (as now often implied) pretended.
Despite his continued professions of innocence, the court eventually sentenced him to five years.
Vocation
A call to special religious work, as to the ministry.
Every member of the same [the Church], in his vocation and ministry.
Profession
Professional occupation.
Vocation
The particular occupation for which you are trained
Profession
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.
My father was a barrister by profession.
Vocation
A body of people doing the same kind of work
Profession
(collective) The practitioners of such an occupation collectively.
His conduct is against the established practices of the legal profession.
Profession
The act of professing or claiming; open declaration; public avowal or acknowledgment; as, professions of friendship; a profession of faith.
A solemn vow, promise, and profession.
Profession
That which one professed; a declaration; an avowal; a claim; as, his professions are insincere.
The Indians quickly perceive the coincidence or the contradiction between professions and conduct.
Profession
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.
Hi tried five or six professions in turn.
Profession
The collective body of persons engaged in a calling; as, the profession distrust him.
Profession
The act of entering, or becoming a member of, a religious order.
Profession
The body of people in a learned occupation;
The news spread rapidly through the medical community
Profession
An occupation requiring special education (especially in the liberal arts or sciences)
Profession
An open avowal (true or false) of some belief or opinion;
A profession of disagreement
Profession
Affirmation of acceptance of some religion or faith;
A profession of Christianity
Common Curiosities
Is a profession always well-paid?
Not necessarily, but professions usually have structures for earning and growth.
Do you need formal education for a vocation?
No, a vocation is often driven by personal passion rather than formal education.
Can a vocation be a profession?
Yes, when your career aligns with your inner calling, it can be both a vocation and a profession.
Do professions have codes of ethics?
Most professions have a set of ethical guidelines or a regulatory body.
Is every job a profession?
No, not every job requires specialized training and is thus not considered a profession.
How do I find my vocation?
Reflect on your passions, skills, and what gives you a sense of purpose.
What is a profession?
A profession is a career that requires specialized training, education, and often, certification.
What is a vocation?
A vocation is a calling or occupation driven by passion or a sense of purpose.
Can a vocation turn into a profession?
Yes, if you receive formal training and certification in your area of passion.
Can you have more than one vocation?
Yes, you can have multiple callings or areas of interest that you're passionate about.
Is a profession permanent?
No, people can change professions by acquiring new skills and qualifications.
Do professions change over time?
Yes, societal needs and technological advancements can redefine professions.
Is certification important in a profession?
Often yes, as professions usually have established standards and require certification.
Can you ignore a vocation?
While possible, ignoring a vocation may lead to a lack of fulfillment or regret.
Is a vocation always fulfilling?
Generally, a vocation provides a sense of personal fulfillment, though challenges can arise.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
