Occupation vs. Career
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 18, 2023
Occupation refers to a specific job or task someone performs for pay, while a career encompasses a long-term professional journey, often involving multiple jobs and growth.
Key Differences
People often have multiple occupations throughout their careers. For instance, someone might start their career in education as a classroom teacher (an occupation), later become a school principal (another occupation), and finally work as an educational consultant (yet another occupation). In this scenario, all these occupations make up a single career in education.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Occupation generally refers to the job or activity that you do regularly to earn money. It's more about the here-and-now aspect of work. Career, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses your entire professional life, often extending over many years or even decades.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
In practical terms, an occupation could be working as a cashier at a store. A career in retail, however, could involve starting as a cashier, moving up to a supervisor, then a manager, and perhaps even becoming a regional director. The occupation is a single role, while a career is a series of connected occupations.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
When considering education and training, occupations may require very specific skill sets and might not always involve long-term growth or advancement. Careers, by contrast, often involve a trajectory that may include education, specialized training, and various milestones or accomplishments.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Occupation and Career Definitions
Occupation
The act of occupying a space.
The occupation of the building lasted for weeks.
Janet White
Sep 18, 2023
Career
A lifelong professional journey.
She had a long and successful career in law.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Occupation
Military control over a territory.
The occupation of the city was controversial.
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
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Career
A specific occupation for which you train.
His career as a surgeon was prestigious.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Occupation
A job one is currently doing.
His occupation is a software developer.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Career
A general course or progression of one's working life.
His career took unexpected turns.
Janet White
Sep 18, 2023
Occupation
The act of engaging one's attention.
His main occupation is painting.
Janet White
Sep 18, 2023
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Occupation
An activity that serves as one's regular source of livelihood; a vocation.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
An activity engaged in especially as a means of passing time; an avocation.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Career
The general course or progression of one's working life or one's professional achievements
An officer with a distinguished career.
A teacher in the midst of a long career.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
Invasion, conquest, and control of a nation or territory by foreign armed forces.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Career
Doing what one does as a permanent occupation or lifework
Career diplomats.
A career criminal.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
The military government exercising control over an occupied nation or territory.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Career
To move forward at high speed, often with minimal control
"that lordly car ... How smoothly it ran. In what style they had come careering along the country roads!" (James Joyce).
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
An activity or task with which one occupies oneself; usually specifically the productive activity, service, trade, or craft for which one is regularly paid; a job.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Career
General course of action or conduct in life, or in a particular part of it.
Washington's career as a soldier
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
The control of a country or region by a hostile military and/or paramilitary force.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
The act or process of occupying or taking possession; actual possession and control; the state of being occupied; a holding or keeping; tenure; use; as, the occupation of lands by a tenant.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
The principal business of one's life; the principal work by which one earns one's livelihood; vocation; employment; profession; calling; trade; avocation; as, these days many people continue to practice their occupation well into their seventies.
Absence of occupation is not rest.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
The principal activity in your life that you do to earn money;
He's not in my line of business
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Career
To move rapidly straight ahead, especially in an uncontrolled way.
The car careered down the road, missed the curve, and went through a hedge.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
Any activity that occupies a person's attention;
He missed the bell in his occupation with the computer game
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
The act of occupying or taking possession of a building;
Occupation of a building without a certificate of occupancy is illegal
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Occupation
The period of time during which a place or position or nation is occupied;
During the German occupation of Paris
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Career
A running; full speed; a rapid course.
When a horse is running in his full career.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Career
General course of action or conduct in life, or in a particular part or calling in life, or in some special undertaking; usually applied to course or conduct which is of a public character; as, Washington's career as a soldier.
An impartial view of his whole career.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Career
The general progression of your working or professional life;
The general had had a distinguished career
He had a long career in the law
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
Career
Move headlong at high speed;
The cars careered down the road
The mob careered through the streets
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 25, 2022
FAQs
Can you have multiple Occupations in a Career?
Yes, a career often includes multiple occupations.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
What is a Career?
A career encompasses one's entire professional life, often involving growth and multiple jobs.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Do Careers always involve advancement?
Not necessarily, but careers often involve some form of growth or advancement.
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
Can an Occupation become a Career?
Yes, an occupation can evolve into a career with growth and advancement.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
What does Occupation mean?
Occupation refers to a specific job or task that one performs for pay.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Is an Occupation always paid?
Generally, occupations are paid, but some may be volunteer-based.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023
Can a Career involve varied skills?
Yes, careers often involve a range of skills across different occupations.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
What education is required for an Occupation?
Education for an occupation varies and may range from none to specialized training.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Is Occupation the same as Employment?
Occupation refers to a specific job, while employment is the condition of having a job.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023
Can Occupation refer to non-work activities?
Yes, in broader terms, occupation can refer to any activity that occupies time.
Samantha Walker
Sep 18, 2023
Can a Career be short-term?
Generally, a career is considered long-term but can be shorter depending on circumstances.
Janet White
Sep 18, 2023
Do Occupations require special skills?
Occupations often require specific skills related to the job.
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
Do Careers require education?
Careers often involve some form of education or training but it's not always mandatory.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023
Can Career be used metaphorically?
Yes, career can be used metaphorically, such as in the phrase "a career in crime."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Can you have a Career without an Occupation?
Generally, a career involves at least one occupation, but some may have periods without active employment.
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
