Occupation vs. Career: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comparison Chart
Timeframe
Short-term
Long-term
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Growth Potential
Limited
Often involves growth
Skill Requirements
Specific to the job
Can be more varied
Number
Singular
Can involve multiple
Scope
Job or task
Professional journey
Occupation and Career Definitions
Occupation
The act of occupying a space.
The occupation of the building lasted for weeks.
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Career
A lifelong professional journey.
She had a long and successful career in law.
Occupation
Military control over a territory.
The occupation of the city was controversial.
Career
The speed or progress of something.
The car careered down the hill.
Occupation
A way to spend time.
Fishing is his favorite occupation.
Career
A specific occupation for which you train.
His career as a surgeon was prestigious.
Occupation
A job one is currently doing.
His occupation is a software developer.
Career
A general course or progression of one's working life.
His career took unexpected turns.
Occupation
The act of engaging one's attention.
His main occupation is painting.
Career
To move rapidly and uncontrollably.
The vehicle careered off the road.
Occupation
An activity that serves as one's regular source of livelihood; a vocation.
Career
A chosen pursuit; a profession or occupation.
Occupation
An activity engaged in especially as a means of passing time; an avocation.
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.
Occupation
The act or process of holding or possessing a place.
Career
A path or course, as of the sun through the heavens.
Occupation
The state of being held or possessed.
Career
Speed
"My hasting days fly on with full career" (John Milton).
Occupation
Invasion, conquest, and control of a nation or territory by foreign armed forces.
Career
Doing what one does as a permanent occupation or lifework
Career diplomats.
A career criminal.
Occupation
The military government exercising control over an occupied nation or territory.
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).
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.
Career
One's calling in life; a person's occupation; one's profession.
Occupation
The act, process or state of possessing a place.
Career
General course of action or conduct in life, or in a particular part of it.
Washington's career as a soldier
Occupation
The control of a country or region by a hostile military and/or paramilitary force.
Career
(archaic) Speed.
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.
Career
A jouster's path during a joust.
Occupation
That which occupies or engages the time and attention.
Career
(obsolete) A short gallop of a horse.
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.
Career
(falconry) The flight of a hawk.
Occupation
The principal activity in your life that you do to earn money;
He's not in my line of business
Career
(obsolete) A racecourse; the ground run over.
Occupation
The control of a country by military forces of a foreign power
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.
Occupation
Any activity that occupies a person's attention;
He missed the bell in his occupation with the computer game
Career
Synonym of serial
A career criminal
Occupation
The act of occupying or taking possession of a building;
Occupation of a building without a certificate of occupancy is illegal
Career
A race course: the ground run over.
To go back again the same career.
Occupation
The period of time during which a place or position or nation is occupied;
During the German occupation of Paris
Career
A running; full speed; a rapid course.
When a horse is running in his full career.
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.
Career
The flight of a hawk.
Career
To move or run rapidly.
Careering gayly over the curling waves.
Career
The particular occupation for which you are trained
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
Career
Move headlong at high speed;
The cars careered down the road
The mob careered through the streets
FAQs
Can you have multiple Occupations in a Career?
Yes, a career often includes multiple occupations.
What is a Career?
A career encompasses one's entire professional life, often involving growth and multiple jobs.
Do Careers always involve advancement?
Not necessarily, but careers often involve some form of growth or advancement.
Can an Occupation become a Career?
Yes, an occupation can evolve into a career with growth and advancement.
What does Occupation mean?
Occupation refers to a specific job or task that one performs for pay.
Is an Occupation always paid?
Generally, occupations are paid, but some may be volunteer-based.
Can a Career involve varied skills?
Yes, careers often involve a range of skills across different occupations.
What education is required for an Occupation?
Education for an occupation varies and may range from none to specialized training.
Is Occupation the same as Employment?
Occupation refers to a specific job, while employment is the condition of having a job.
Can Occupation refer to non-work activities?
Yes, in broader terms, occupation can refer to any activity that occupies time.
Can a Career be short-term?
Generally, a career is considered long-term but can be shorter depending on circumstances.
Do Occupations require special skills?
Occupations often require specific skills related to the job.
Do Careers require education?
Careers often involve some form of education or training but it's not always mandatory.
Can Career be used metaphorically?
Yes, career can be used metaphorically, such as in the phrase "a career in crime."
Can you have a Career without an Occupation?
Generally, a career involves at least one occupation, but some may have periods without active employment.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
