ABSTRACT
The professions are "where the action is" insofar as attractive occupational careers are concerned. They provide greater opportunities for upward career mobility and higher prestige than most other types of occupations. Studies of occupational aspirations have shown that the great majority of high school students would prefer a professional occupation. The US Census Bureau does not provide a separate category for professional occupations but presents data for the occupations under the same major category as technical and kindred workers. Many occupations are becoming "professionalized" because of the tremendous growth of knowledge and the trend toward brain work and away from manual work in all types of endeavors in one's society. The new ones may arise from the development of some scientific or technological discovery which may be applied to the affairs of others. Professionals are occupational specialists who deal with phenomena from a particular point of view. The professions provide opportunities in the most highly developed occupational careers.
