Professions provide essential services to the individual and society.

Each profession is concerned with an identified area of need or function (e.g., maintenance of physical and emotional health).

The profession possesses a unique body of knowledge and skills (professional culture).

Professional decisions are made in accordance with valid knowledge, principles, and theories.

The profession is based on undergirding disciples from which it builds its own applied knowledge and skills.

Professional associations control the actual work and conditions of the profession (e.g., admissions, standards, licensing).

There are performance standards for admission to and continuance in the profession.

Preparation for and induction into the profession requires a protracted preparation program, usually in a college or university professional school.

There is a high level of public trust and confidence in the profession and in the skills and competence of its members.

Individual practitioners are characterized by a strong service motivation and lifetime commitment to competence.

The profession itself determines individual competence.

There is relative freedom from direct or public job supervision of the individual practitioner. The professional accepts this responsibility and is accountable through his or her profession to the society.

Lower in occupational status

Shorter training periods

Lack of societal acceptance that the nature of the service and/or the level of expertise justifies the autonomy that is granted t othe professions

A less specialized and less highly developed body of knowledge and skills

Markedly less emphasis on theoretical and conceptual bases for practice

A tendency for the individual to identify with the employment institution more and with the profession less

More subject to administrative and supervisory surveillance and control

Less autonomy in professional decision making, with accountability to superiors rather than to the profession

Management by persons who have themselves been prepared and served in that semiprofession

A preponderance of women

Absence of the right to privileged communication between client and professional

Little or no involvement in matters of life and death

Now that you have responded to each of the above statements, do you think teaching is a