📘 LESSON ONE: DEFINITION OF TERMS

Work • Vocation • Profession • Trade • Craft • Career • Job

🎯 Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the meaning of work, vocation, profession, trade, craft, career, and job.
2. Give general reasons why people work.

🧭 Big Picture (Quick Infographic)

Work ➜ Ways we talk about work: Vocation | Profession | Trade | Craft | Career | Job

Think of them as: Purpose (Vocation) • Standards (Profession) • Earning Skill (Trade) • Hand Skill (Craft) • Life Path (Career) • Task for Pay (Job)

💼 What is Work?

Use of energy—physical or mental—for the purpose of improving human life. It is any activity that requires expenditure of energy or application of skills.

Examples: studying, teaching, cooking, farming, etc.

🕊️ What is Vocation?

Vocation comes from the Latin word “vocare” meaning “to call.”

Many Christians believe every individual is called by God to various duties. A vocation is work that requires special skills, training, or a unique mission in society.

Key idea: Purpose & calling.

📏 What is Profession?

Work characterized by a code of ethics, lengthy specialized training, advanced knowledge, and self-discipline.

Professionals set their own standards, determine entry requirements for new members, and have mechanisms to address misconduct.

Examples: law, medicine, architecture.

Key idea: Standards & regulation.

🛠️ What is Trade?

An occupation or way of making a living. Many trades require specialized training.

Example: hairdressing.

Key idea: Marketable skill for income.

🎨 What is Craft?

An occupation requiring manipulative skills or the use of hands.

Examples: woodcarving, pottery, weaving.

Note: A craft may also be a trade depending on the nature of the occupation.

Key idea: Handwork & artistry.

🧩 What is Career?

The broader occupation or field one chooses to pursue over a lifetime—the general way of earning a living.

Key idea: Long-term path & growth.

💳 What is Job?

Specific tasks performed or services rendered in return for payment of wages. Jobs can be temporary, casual, permanent, or pensionable.

Key idea: Short-term role for pay.

🌱 General Reasons Why People Work

• 💰 Income: to earn wages/salary and meet needs.
• 🎯 Purpose: to fulfill a calling or mission.
• 📚 Growth: to learn, gain skills, and build experience.
• 🏠 Security: to achieve stability, benefits, and pensions.
• 🤝 Service: to help others and contribute to society.
• 🏆 Achievement: to reach goals and gain recognition.
• 🌐 Belonging: to connect and collaborate with others.
• 💡 Innovation: to create and solve problems.

🔍 Compare at a Glance

Vocation = Calling & service • Profession = Standards & certification • Trade = Earning skill • Craft = Hand skill • Career = Life path • Job = Task for pay

✅ Quick Check

1. Which term best fits “a field you pursue over many years”?
2. Which term emphasizes a code of ethics and long training?
3. Give two reasons why people work.

Sample answers: 1) Career 2) Profession 3) Income, purpose (others possible).

📌 Summary

All these terms describe work from different angles: purpose (vocation), regulation (profession), marketable skill (trade), handcraft (craft), long-term path (career), and paid role (job). People work for income, growth, purpose, service, security, and belonging.

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