What does Professionalism Mean to You - Essay Example

What is professionalism It is a term that has undergone a great deal of scrutiny and redefinition in the recent past. The online version of the Oxford English Dictionary defines professionalism as "the competence or skill expected of a professional" (AskOxford.com). This definition is circular, and therefore not very helpful. A professional is described as "a person having impressive competence in a particular activity" (AskOxford.com). Thus, professionalism is the irrefutable evidence that a person is competent for his/her job.

Even this does not fully describe what professionalism is. What, for example, is competence In many professions (medicine, law, medicine, business and others), competence includes extensive training and knowledge, adherence to a rigid code of ethics, and dedication to the work itself. Solicitors in every country complete several years' postgraduate training, and some even participate in unpaid internships to perfect their craft. They must have passing scores on their countries' respective bar examinations in order to prove that they have the necessary knowledge to practise law.

No court in the world would let an individual without the accepted credentials try to pass him/herself off as a professional solicitor. Suppose an electrician were to walk into the middle of a trial and declare himself the new counsel for the defense. Such an individual would not be taken at all seriously. He/She would be laughed out of the courtroom. A requirement for professionalism is that the professional be sufficiently trained to do the job he/she is attempting to do. Many professions have a code of ethics that their professionals are required to follow.

For centuries, physicians all over the world have adhered to the Hippocratic Oath. Some of the statements in this oath could also apply to other professions, such as "I will never do harm to anyone" and "I will preserve the purity of my life and my art" (Hippocratic Oath). Additionally, physicians are sworn to secrecy regarding the medical conditions of their patients. They must maintain patient-doctor confidentiality at all costs. This code is also relevant to therapists and lawyers. The moral obligation to help, and not harm, another individual is what sets the professional apart.

Anyone can go after his/her own desires, but it takes a special sort of person to consider the needs of others before he/she considers him/herself. This is a key aspect of professionalism. Finally, dedication to the task at hand is the mark of a true professional. This can be seen most clearly in the business world. Suppose a shopkeeper decides that he wants to sleep late instead of going in to open his store early in the morning. He is more dedicated to sleeping than he is to his work. He is not at all concerned about the sales he will be losing as a result of not being open.

Undoubtedly, his business will suffer because of his unprofessional attitude. When this man is compared to the billionaire entrepreneur who works 80 hours a week and is always on call to help with any issues that may arise, it is not difficult to see who has the more dedicated, and therefore professional, attitude. In this respect, dedication becomes almost synonymous with professionalism. Professionalism is more than just a word with a definition. It is an attitude that expresses itself in everything an individual does.

The solicitor who has knowledge without a concern for ethical practices or dedication to his job with certainly not make it very far in his professional life. The physician who follows the Hippocratic Oath without knowing the practices of which it speaks will certainly do more harm than good. The businessman who works long hours without regard for how his work affects others or the knowledge of good business practices will not be successful for long. Professionalism is knowledge, morality, and dedication.

None of these three aspects can exist separately from another as the sole component of professionalism. They all work together. Works Cited Oxford University Press. Ask Oxford .com. http://www.askoxford.com/view=uk "Hippocratic Oath." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath