I don’t really mean to call out developers. The same question applies to designers, human resources managers, marketers and investment bankers. Are the people that populate corporate headquarters professionals, trade workers or mercenaries? Is a business professional really a professional?
In 1915, in exploring whether social work is a profession, famed educator Abraham Flexner established six criteria for a profession:
Professional activity is based on intellectual action along with personal responsibility.
The practice of a profession is based on knowledge, not routine activities.
There is practical application rather than just theorizing.
There are techniques that can be taught.
A profession is organized internally.
A profession is motivated by altruism, with members working in some sense for the good of society.
How would you evaluate your work and those of your peers against these criteria? Are you a professional?
via Are software developers professionals? | LinkedIn.
Are software developers professionals?
