Occupation: Definition, Meaning, Types, and Categories

 Introduction

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a doctor, engineer, or lawyer? Is occupation just for earning or enhancing your development levels? What do you mean by “occupation”? 

Every individual has a purpose in their life, and they tend to play a role in society. In this way, they can contribute to society and make a difference. An occupation is a person’s job. It is an activity in which a person engages to earn a living or to contribute to society. Any type of work or job that requires a particular set of skills, knowledge, and expertise can be considered an occupation. For example, artists, entrepreneurs, or freelancers. It is an essential part of the person’s identity. It also impacts their social status,  income, and overall quality of life.

Is being a housewife also an occupation? Only men and women working for a company and providing services are considered to be working-class people? Yes, being a housewife can be considered an occupation. But they do not get any salary or appreciation for this. Their selfless act of service cannot be paid in terms of money. Mothers have numerous responsibilities and have to perform a range of tasks from providing care to children, emotional support, and taking decisions about well-being of the family.

When we work in the corporate world it is for the sake of financial gain but when we look at the scenario of a housewife things are not the same. The traditional definition of occupation may not get justified for the role of a housewife or a mother nevertheless it is a vital and valuable role that contributes to the overall functioning of not only family but also society. 

In this blog, we will learn about different types of occupations and career paths. We will also discuss the factors affecting the occupation. Understanding different types of occupations are of paramount importance so that you can have clarity on various aspects of career paths available for you.

Categories of Occupations

According to the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO), an International Labor Organization (ILO) classification structure for organizing labor and jobs, ISCO-08 divides jobs into 10 major groups:

1. Managers
2. Professional
3. Technicians and associate professionals     
4. Clerical support workers
5. Service and sales workers
6. Skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers
7. Craft-related trades workers 
8. Plant and machine operators, and assemblers
9. Elementary occupations
10. Armed forces occupation

According to modern times, categories of occupation are divided into 5 types: blue-collar jobs, white-collar jobs, service jobs, professional jobs, and gig jobs. 

Let’s discuss them briefly:

• Blue-collar jobs: Blue-collar jobs are jobs that involve manual labor. They are associated with industries such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation.
• White-collar jobs: This involves office-based work. Industries associated with these jobs are finance, healthcare, and education. 
• Service jobs: Service jobs are focused on providing services to others. These job roles provide only services rather than producing goods or products. For instance, in healthcare, education, or hospitality. Doctors, teachers, and nurses, all come under the category of service jobs.     
• Professional jobs: Professional jobs need specialized education, training, and expertise in a specific field. Higher salaries, job security, and opportunities are also provided in these jobs for advancement. For instance, lawyers, accountants, doctors, teachers, and engineers. 
• Red-collar jobs: People who work in the government sector are categorized under red-collar jobs. They also cater services but under government authorization. Government officials and politicians are red-collar workers. For instance, IAS, IFS, Prime Minister, etc. 

Types of Occupations

Understanding different types of occupations is vital. It helps you explore various career options and identify the occupations that match your skills, interests, and values. Different types of occupations require different levels of education.  Basically, there are three main types of occupations: professions, businesses, and employment. But with new technologies, various occupations are emerging like freelancing, part-time jobs, etc. Don’t worry! We have discussed all of them. Also, the job market is always changing, and various occupations are in demand at different times.

Profession vs. Business

Profession and occupation are totally different terms. But people always misunderstand the meaning of both of these terms. Let’s understand the difference between these terms. As we have revealed, “occupation” simply means a person’s job. Whereas, a profession is a category of occupation that calls for specialized knowledge and expertise in a particular field. The motive of the profession is to provide services, which require advanced education and training.

For example, doctors, lawyers, and engineers. They all require specialization in their field to work in highly skilled positions.

A business is a type of occupation in which an individual or a group of individuals own and run a company to generate profits. Businesses contain a higher level of risk, but also a higher level of profit. Business owners assume a higher level of responsibility than their employees or professionals, as they have to look out for the whole company. 

For example, the owner of a retail store, restaurant, or manufacturing company. They all exercise higher responsibility and authority.

Full-time vs. Part-Time Jobs 

Full-time jobs require 40 hours of work per week, whereas it is not the same for part-time jobs. Full-time employees generally get greater stability, higher wages, advantages like health insurance, and various opportunities for career advancements. The work hours of a full-time job might interfere with personal time and work-life balance. On the other hand, part-time work can provide more scheduling flexibility and can be proven useful to people who need to juggle work with other commitments like family or education. Lastly, part-time jobs compared to full-time jobs pay less and offer fewer benefits.

For example, Reena works part-time in a coffee shop after her school, and she gets paid 1000 rupees for working 3 hours a day. Whereas, Daksh works full-time for a company and gets a salary of 40,000 rupees for working 8 hours daily. 

Permanent vs. Temporary Jobs

Jobs can be classified as permanent or temporary according to how long they stay in an organization.

Permanent jobs refer to jobs in which organizations hire employees to work for a longer period of time. Permanent employees can enjoy benefits like health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and job security. They are also provided with career opportunities for their advancement and also increases in salary over time. On the other hand, temporary jobs refer to jobs in which employees are hired for a fixed period of time or a specific project. This kind of job offers flexibility in time, but they are not provided with employment benefits.

Self-Employment vs. Employment

Self-employment means an individual working for themselves and managing their own business. Self-employers are responsible for each and every managerial activity from finances to types of equipment and raw materials. They are rewarded in the form of profits and are the sole bearer of all the risks associated with their business. Employment benefits are not eligible for self-employers. For instance, Jatin is the owner of a company called “Traditional Ethnic Wear” which manufactures traditional dresses and supplies to the markets. Here all the work is handled by Jatin, solely. From raw materials to the finished products, all the work is supervised by Jatin.

Employment refers to the occupation in which an individual works for a company and gets paid in the form of a salary or wage. Employment has three categories, part-time, full-time, or temporary. In employment, an individual has to follow the rules and regulations of the company and they do not have the freedom as an independent professional.

Examples of employment are office workers who work 9-5 jobs and get a salary for their work. They have to abide by the rules of the organization.

Freelancing vs. Traditional Employment

People who practice freelancing are known as “freelancers.” Freelancers are individuals who work independently for multiple clients on a project basis. They are self-employed and manage their own finances, find their own clients, and set their own rates for their services. However, they have control over their work and can often set their own schedule according to them. Freelancers are not eligible for employment benefits, and their income may be less stable. 

Whereas, traditional employment is the same as the employment we have talked about earlier. In traditional employment, an individual works for a company as a full-time employee. They have a boss and follow the rules and commands given to them by their employer. Employees enjoy employment benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, etc.

Also Read: Personality development: An Effective Way to Transform Your Life

Factors Affecting Occupation

Occupation is a broader term. There are many complex and multifaceted factors that affect occupation, some of which are discussed below. Let’s understand how these factors affect occupation choice.

• Education and training: Personal factors determine an individual’s career path. The level of education and skills decides the job that an individual is eligible for. Personality traits, education, skills, interests, and work experience are categorized into personal factors. An individual’s hobbies and personality traits might affect the type of job that they find fulfilling.
• Demand and supply of jobs: The demand and supply of jobs are responsible for the availability and competition for different jobs. High-demand occupations offer high salaries and benefits whereas low-demand occupations have fewer job opportunities and low salaries.
• Societal factors: Cultural limitations on gender roles can discourage individuals from pursuing the career path of their choice. Also, societal expectations and stereotypes can also affect the perception of some jobs.
• Economic factors: Factors like the state of the economy and technological advancements can also affect occupational choice. The availability of resources, infrastructure, and technology can also impact employment opportunities.
• Globalization and international trade: Globalization has increased competition and specialization in various occupations. Some jobs require international experience or knowledge. Lack of international experience can sometimes lead to a change in choice of occupation.
• Technological advancements: With the increase in technology like artificial intelligence and automation led to the emergence of new occupations and also became the reason for the loss of jobs of several workers in some industries.

Occupation, Job, And Career: Finding the Difference

Occupation, job, and career seem to be having the same meanings but these terms are distinct from each other. They refer to different aspects of a person’s work life. As we have learned earlier, occupation demands a particular set of skills, education, and training. For example, doctors, engineers, teachers, and lawyers. Occupation is related to a specific industry or field.

A job is a position or role in an organization. It involves defined duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Individuals doing a job are paid salaries. For example, accountant, customer service representative, etc.

A career is a long-term professional journey of an individual, which over time may involve multiple jobs and occupations. It entails setting goals, developing skills, and making progress in the direction of a desired future profession.

Therefore, occupation is a broader category of work, the job is a specific position, and career is a long-term professional journey of an individual.

Also Read: Business Communication: An amazing tool to enhance yourself! | DT Evolve

Changing Landscapes of Various Types of Occupations

In recent years, the landscape of various types of occupations have changed. It is due to technological advancements, globalization, and economic conditions. 

There has been rapid growth in the gig economy, which includes freelancers, independent contractors, and temporary workers. Digital platforms have made it possible and easier for individuals to find work. The gig economy has some pros and cons. The good thing is that it has provided flexibility and freedom for workers and the bad thing is that it has created uncertainty and instability of income and benefits. 

One of the most prominent changes has been the automation of many jobs. Mainly routine and repetitive tasks are replaced by machines. Human labor has been strongly replaced by the usage of machines and software. This has impacted industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and retail resulting in forcing workers in these industries to develop new skills and adapt to new roles.

Overall, this change is driven by a combination of technological and economic factors. Workers and companies must be adaptable to these changes in order to survive in the job market. To remain competitive and successful in the modern workforce, companies and workers must analyze the situation and make the necessary changes.

Navigating the Job Market: Degree, Skills, or Both?

We can say that both degree and skill can be important. However, when we address the importance of degrees and skills in modern times where everything is taken over by technology, skills have become the life force of any occupation. No matter, the seriousness of each depends on the specific industry and job role that you are targeting. In some fields such as healthcare, teaching, and accounting, a degree can be important as all these fields need specialization in education, expertise, and training. 

Now, why skills are important? In some creative fields, skills, and experience can be really important. In the creative field, your formal education cannot help you. For instance, in graphic designing, writing, and video editing creativity plays a crucial role. If you don’t have any experience and have not explored your creativity level then you won’t be able to create a successful career. 

A Concrete Link Between Skills and Occupation

You have seen many millionaires who are just between the ages of 18 years to 20 years. Do they have a degree at this age that has made them a millionaire? The answer is, no. It is said right that “a degree is just a piece of paper” and people are proving this right.

All these successful people polished their skills in demanding fields such as writing, coding, entrepreneurship, and graphic design. Influencers and Youtube artists are earning lakhs just by showcasing their skills. Whether it be singing, dancing, teaching, vlogging, and many more. There is no limitation to this. You just have to be consistent, follow the algorithms and audience trends of the social media platforms, and in no time you will also find yourself in the same place as a successful person. Therefore, there is a strong link between skills and occupations. A college degree may not be a necessity for success in these fields, but having skills in these areas can be an advantage for you.  

Conclusion

Let’s take a glance at once. In this blog, you learned about the occupation. Types of occupations are business, profession, and employment. There are many categories of occupations such as blue-collar jobs, white-collar jobs, professional jobs, red-collar jobs, and service jobs. You have also gone over the difference between job, occupation, and career. There are also many reasons why various types of occupations are changing the landscape. Due to technological advancements, many workers in some industries lost their jobs. A degree is not that important for every field, as there is a lot of technological advancement now and companies need skilled people. There is a strong link between skills and occupations. 

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