Distinguish among work, job, occupation, career, and profession.

Distinction should be made among

• work—the physical or mental effort spent to overcome obstacles or to achieve a desired objective
• job—a specific situation in which a person performs particular tasks, duties, or responsibilities for compensation and can be accomplished, quantified, measured, and rated
• occupation—employment that requires related skills and experiences
• career—a chosen profession or occupation pursued by a person over a long period of time, composed of jobs held, titles earned, and work accomplished
• profession—a paid occupation, often including long-term training or education.

Process/Skill Questions:

• Why is it important to enjoy your career?
• How can work and job experiences assist an individual in choosing a desired career path?
• What programs do CTSOs offer students in pursuit of career connections to a chosen field?
• How do you prepare for a chosen career path?
• How can work provide personal satisfaction?
• How can the work you do and the income you earn affect your lifestyle?