As the children's proverb says: "All professions are needed, all professions are important." This is certainly true. It is difficult to imagine the life of a modern person without work in any profession. Even the seemingly most useless work makes a huge contribution to the life of each of us. What is the classification of professions?
General concept
Classification is a meaningful division of certain things into groups and types according to certain criteria. The concepts of “profession” and “classification of professions” are closely related. A profession is a type of activity of a person who owns a set of special theoretical knowledge, as well as skills acquired as a result of training and practical exercises. Depending on the type of activity, professions are groupable. The classification of professions by the subject of labor also plays a large role in the division. This issue will be discussed in detail in this article.
Types of classification of workers
The world of professions is diverse, there are more than seven thousand items in it. In 1957, the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) was adopted, created by the joint efforts of representatives of UNESCO, the United Nations and the World Health Organization. This is a type of division of professions into groups. The process of dividing into groups can take place in different ways, depending on the attribute taken as a basis. This could be a classification:
- The first letter of the name of the type of activity (in alphabetical order, for example).
- By the nature of labor (intellectual or physical).
- By industry sector (industry, science, construction, livestock and crop production, forestry, transport and communications, healthcare, management, trade and so on).
- On the basis of material production (for example, agriculture, industry, forestry, construction, etc.) Health, science, trade, the media, etc. do not have material production.
- By the level and nature of the required qualifications: highly qualified (financial auditor, chemist, broker, engineer and others); qualified (insurance employee, personnel officers, administrator, appraiser, technologist and others); unskilled (postman, store employee, and so on); unskilled (janitor, street vendor, cleaner, courier and others).
There are flaws in everything.
Each of the above classification of professions has its drawbacks.
The first option is inconvenient in that there are a lot of areas of activity (about seven thousand), and it will be difficult to arrange each in alphabetical order, and as a result an incredibly huge list will turn out.
The disadvantage of the second method is that when enumerating, the boundaries of mental and physical labor are automatically erased.
The third method has two drawbacks:
1. There are professions that relate to several sectors of the economy (for example, locksmith. The field of activity is widespread in several sectors of the economy).
2. Inaccuracy, as some activities penetrate into other areas (for example, a school nurse, an employee of the healthcare industry, but at the same time works in the scientific field of activity).
The fourth way can also be argued. Every profession is related to production, only in one case are material things (for example, the sphere of industry, construction), and in the other case it is intangible values (for example, science, the media). Regardless of whether it is possible to "feel" what is produced, each area of activity is important for humanity.
In the fifth case, there are also nuances. Often there is such a situation when a person is a jack of all trades, and really does his job with high quality, but he cannot be accepted into the state, because there is no “crust” about education. At the same time, a certified specialist comes in who, in fact, knows nothing.
Separation of occupations by labor conditions
There is also a classification of professions according to working conditions. It includes only four types:
- Microclimate of household type. This is a profession whose workers work indoors in the usual conditions (or office work). For example, a programmer, accountant, doctor, teacher and others.
- Work outdoors. Most of the time the employee spends in the fresh air, and not indoors. For example, a sales representative, postman, janitor, forester and others.
- Small enclosed spaces, cabins. The main time for the employee takes place in a small room. For example, a driver, concierge, operator, and so on.
- Unusual working conditions. Unusual working conditions means underground work, work in water conditions or at high altitude. For example, a miner, industrial climber, mountain rescue worker, diver and others.
In any case, depending on how you want to classify the types of professions, any of the above methods is chosen. But about this in order.
Psychological classification of professions
What are they like? In addition to the above options for classifications of professions, there is also a way of psychological division into groups. The division of activities into groups according to the psychological principle is intended for career guidance. This type of distribution is important for the theory of labor psychology, as well as for understanding the role of psychological factors in a particular type of labor.
The psychological analysis of work in any profession is an integral part and the primary stage of work in the field of labor psychology. The analysis acts as the basis on which any further research is based.
The variety of professions confronts the psychology of labor with the task of classifying professions, identifying common features and differences between professions and activities. The psychological study of certain types of work is called a description of the professions (professiography), and the result is called a professiogram. The professiogram includes a number of characteristics relating to types of labor: technical and economic, social, psychological, as well as hygienic working conditions. The result is affected by the totality of personality traits and mental processes that are activated in a certain type of work.
The concept of professionally important features
Professionally important qualities are individual traits of a person’s character and personality, mental and physical qualities that meet the requirements for a person holding a particular position in the profession.
Important points of a professional include five points:
- Attitude to the profession, work, interests related to this field of activity.
- The moral image of a person as part of a collective.
- Legal competency regarding a certain position (flexibility of mind, resourcefulness, ability to develop oneself - the intellectual sphere of activity; physiological development, endurance - for physical labor).
Single, private, special abilities, if necessary for the required position or profession as a whole.
- Knowledge, skills, and experience in a similar position.
A new type of classification of professions
Klimov Evgeny Aleksandrovich, academician, specialist in labor psychology, professor of psychological sciences, made a lot of discoveries in the field of psychology and did not disregard the psychology of work. In 1970, he patented his classification of occupations by the subject of labor, which is still used today. His subject-activity concept of professional labor is extensive and captures almost all professions, dividing them into certain groups. According to Klimov himself, each person is able to find the profession in which he will be comfortable, and labor activity will bring pleasure. With the Klimov concept, you can draw up an approximate formula for the desired profession, as well as determine the work of your dreams.
Distribution of professions Klimov
Proper compilation and further use of professiograms requires certain knowledge in the use of classification. The most common for career guidance is the classification of professions according to Klimov. In accordance with the object of labor, five types are distinguished.
“Man is Nature”
This type includes people whose labor activity is connected with the animal and plant world, as well as microorganisms and the conditions of their existence. The worker of this profession sees the world from the side of biological development, innovations and losses in this area. Representatives of professions of this type are able to create and adjust the living conditions and development of living organisms, while using a variety of technical means. If we take into account agriculture, then not all the outbacks are equipped with the necessary equipment, so physical labor in this area also takes place. And also do not underestimate the intellectual aspect of this classification of professions. Since working conditions are non-standard, it is often necessary to notice the most subtle, but very important changes in living organisms. The requirements for an employee of this structure are also non-standard: from special skills (for example, drawing, so that it is possible to fix what is visible under a microscope) to controlling the equipment. As for professional qualities, the employee must love nature, have persistence in achieving goals, creative thinking and patience. Occupations of the “Man-Nature” sphere include: veterinarian, agronomist, biologist, beekeeper and many others.
“Man — Technique”
This type includes activities related to the repair and maintenance of technical devices and their operation, as well as the creation, installation and assembly, design and construction of devices and technical systems, individual parts of the mechanism. Observation, keen hearing and vision are among the main professional qualities of an employee in this field. Also, successful work requires accurate and high knowledge in the technical field. Occupations such as "Man-Technique" include locksmith, repairman, driver, technician, and others.
“Man is a Sign System”
The object of labor of this type of classification are signs - numbers, formulas, oral and written speech, drawings, drawings, maps and so on. The basis of work activity is intellectual work, with the help of which all kinds of sign systems are created. The professional qualities of an employee of this type of profession are perseverance, attentiveness, the ability to concentrate for a long time, and love for solitary work. Occupations of the type "Man - Sign System" include a programmer, system administrator, accountant, stenographer, radio operator, draftsman, cutter, editor and others.
“Man is an Art Image”
The objects of labor of workers in this field are artistic images formed in literature, art, music and acting. The goals of this profession are to create beauty, bring harmony to the world around us, preserve the cultural heritage of mankind and create aesthetics. A professional in this field should have an undoubted innate talent, a love of beauty and art, artistic taste and a rich imagination. Occupations such as "Man - Artistic Image" include an actor, photographer, artist, journalist, and even jeweler.
"Man - Man"
Workers of this type of profession work directly with people. The main objective is interacting with people or serving other people. Certain types of professions are interconnected by the essence of work, although labor activity itself is completely different. The purpose of this classification of professions can be treatment, training, management, information, etc. Professional qualities that an employee should have are communication skills and communication culture, understanding of a person’s mood and needs, developed cognitive activity, friendliness, ability to listen and stress tolerance . Occupations of the “Man-Man” type include a teacher, a policeman, a doctor, a seller, a service worker, an insurance agent, and many others.
The choice of future profession should be taken extremely seriously. Without love for work, love for life will disappear. When choosing the type of profession for classification, you can understand what exactly you need.