Professional(ism)
Professionally, this week has been a busy one! I'm in a weird, transitional place at the moment. I get offered dance work but a lot of it is abroad and after 6 years of dancing away from the UK I don't want to take anything that is the same work as I've had in the past. I think I want a new challenge, and I still want to dance, but I have all those other things (renting a house, great friends that live close by, teaching work) that now tie me to England a bit more than ever before. So, I'm in the process of applying for other teaching work and auditioning for UK based dance company projects. As well as this I'm applying for arts based jobs that will keep me stimulated and heading in the right direction as well as paying the bills. This accumulation of application left right and centre meant this week I had an audition, a job interview, a training day and a teaching assessment! Stressful and very busy! On the plus side, all of which gave food for thought on what makes a professional and what I'd want to see if I were on the other side.
When Paula Nottingham addressed the question 'what is professionalism?' in our first online tutorial I have to admit, she was met by a long pause... It's tricky to define a professional, but rather easier to list factors that contribute to being a professional. As a group we came up with some key principles. I also looked at an interesting article written by Stan Lester. 'On professions and being professional' Lester, S (2010).
In our discussion we came up with some main principles:
Being a specialist
We discussed how a professional would have a knowledge/expertise that an amateur wouldn't. This isn't necessarily about training or study, but could be knowledge gained from the longevity of career. Stan Lester also touches on this idea
'specialist knowledge, exercises autonomous thought and judgement, and makes a voluntary commitment to a set of principles.' Lester, S (2010).
Longevity
Being a specialist links into longevity. We decided that a professional can be defined by the longevity of their career. In my opinion, the model of a professional dancer/performer is changing. It used to be that to work professionally and to be a part of your professional union you had to have had vocational training. Now, from personal experience I think show directors and agencies care less about the route to professionalism and more about prior work experience.
Mindset/ Conduct/ Ethics
When comparing amateurs and professionals in an arts setting, one of my peers touched on her experience of working with amateurs and how our conduct as professionals is different. We have a responsibility to our art to take it seriously. We work constructively and are respectful to other artists we are working with. Stan Lester outlines a Model A and Model B Professional. Model A is a traditional and technical professional; Model B represents a contemporary view of the professional. I quote Model B's definition of conduct:
'values, ethics, congruence of both methods and outcomes; systemic interrelationships, theory, faith'I think our values as professionals are different to that of an amateur. We have a dependency on our art and the project at hand. Acting professionally would also encompass the efficient, problem solving relationship a professional would have with their colleagues.
Links:
Lester, S (2010) 'On professions and being professional' Available at: http://www.sld.demon.co.uk/profnal.pdf
Hi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI can completely relate to the points you made about wanting a change in the work you accept, and also having ties in other aspects of your life. Maybe that's something we should all have considered more; what work/life balance does a professional have?
I also like that you discussed longevity as that is a major factor for me in doing this degree. I want to be able to continue my career in the arts even if it's not the original path I thought I might take.
x
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteLike Lisa, I like how you have discussed longevity. I agree that in any line of work it isn't necessarily the path you have taken to get that certain job, but the skills and personal attributes you have gained from that path.
I really enjoyed reading your statement about efficiency and professional relationships; it is very true that this aspect of 'how well you handle your workload' can have a great impact on your colleagues.
Thanks for the interesting read. Best wishes,
Jess.
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteLike Lisa, I like how you have discussed longevity. I agree that in any line of work it isn't necessarily the path you have taken to get that certain job, but the skills and personal attributes you have gained from that path.
I really enjoyed reading your statement about efficiency and professional relationships; it is very true that this aspect of 'how well you handle your workload' can have a great impact on your colleagues.
Thanks for the interesting read. Best wishes,
Jess.
Lester's definitions were useful to me too - they were current and up to date - boundaries are often blurred with professionals today - and it is sometimes hard to put int words. Like the summary and Jessica's point - lasting the distance is something we all want
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your comments! It's great when you see someone has commented :)
I'm just through other people's blogs too. I think this is a subject that's really interesting and has so many factors that I will come back to add to it later.
Thanks,
Catherine