Profession or occupation: two perspectives on work

These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Analysing them serves different but complementary purposes.

According to Yves Clot (Travail et pouvoir d’agir, 2008), a profession refers to a servant in the religious sense. It is passed down from generation to generation, imbued with values and beliefs. It forges a community governed by shared values. The profession carries a desire for recognition at both ends of the hierarchy: superiors and subordinates. It is a space for feelings and values: pride, honour, responsibility, commitment and dedication... The profession questions the direction and vision given to multiple activities carried out within a structure or a system comprising several structures. It gives a shape to a professional identity.

Activity, explains Barbier (Vocabulary d’analyse des activités), is ‘the set of processes by and in which an individual or collectivity is engaged, in their relationship with an environment (physical, social and/or mental) and the transformations of themselves that occur on this occasion.’ Activity is the factual accomplishment of a prescribed task and measures the gap between the two; professional didactics is a powerful tool in this regard. Activity analysis studies how a person acts, reacts, interacts and positions himself/herself in relation to the task and other people, how they direct their actions, execute them, control them and regulate them. Professional identity is only one of the components analysed, as personal identity also plays an important role in the conduct of the activity.

The profession offers a certain stability that provides a sense of security and can contrast with other professions in terms of skills, attitude and knowledge. The activity gives a space to those who perform a task that transforms them and their structure.

While occupation and activity complement each other and help to clarify the work and its rhythms, it is the analysis of the activity that defines the degree of quality of the work.