wikipedia has a pretty good article on it. Traditionally, only law, medicine, and the clergy counted. But based on factors like having formal training schools, national organizations, and ethical codes, it lists the following (the parentheses refer to a list of criteria from the article. Even planner doesn't qualify.

Accountants
Actuaries
Advocates
Architects
Archivists
Pilots
Dentists
Diplomats (career diplomats only)
Engineers
Financial analysts
Journalists
Lawyers
Optometrists
Nurses
Pharmacists
Philosophers (does not fulfill criteria 5-7, thus does not qualify as a profession as described above)
Physicians
Professors
Psychologists
Scientists (does not fulfill criteria 5-7, thus does not qualify as a profession as described above)
Social Workers
Surgeons
Veterinarians

A plumber is a professional. So is a cardiologist, or a car mechanic.

Ask the Labor Department as they have a list:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco1002.htm

I don't see an event planner as a professional job. The person in it can be "professional" of course, but it is not a profession to me. It's a business career.

The definition of a professional job is one which relates to a certifying organization - hence, professional. It includes attorneys (bar exam) and medical doctors. Not, for example, consultants or just any other white collar job.

Nurse

Anonymous wrote:A teacher. Professionalism is fundamental.

whoa what what?

A teacher. Professionalism is fundamental.

I thought it meant that you obtained a degree to do something specific, and are doing that with your degree. So, a lawyer is a good example. Or an accountant.

However, I've also heard it used to describe jobs that are generally thought not to require specific criteria, but are referring to a person who has intentionally made a career out of such a job. For instance, a nanny, a waiter, an actor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you wondering if being a nanny is a professional job/career? I think it is for some.

For instance, I am an event planner, would that fall into the "professional" category?

Yes. Why not?

I was thinking it was 9-5 corporate type of positions.

Maybe those are white collar professions, which an event planner is probably not?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you wondering if being a nanny is a professional job/career? I think it is for some.

For instance, I am an event planner, would that fall into the "professional" category?

Yes. Why not?

I was thinking it was 9-5 corporate type of positions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you wondering if being a nanny is a professional job/career? I think it is for some.

For instance, I am an event planner, would that fall into the "professional" category?

Yes. Why not?

Anonymous wrote:Are you wondering if being a nanny is a professional job/career? I think it is for some.

For instance, I am an event planner, would that fall into the "professional" category?

Are you wondering if being a nanny is a professional job/career? I think it is for some.

What is considered to be a professional career? I see the term tossed around on here frequently. Is it any corporate job?