The use of the term profession to describe a very narrow list of careers favored by the extra sons of the rich is an outdated system. There really is no question of the term professional was an elitist term. They even had specialized clothes so the ordinary people would know how special and important they are. Black cloaks for lawyers and red for Bishops. Military officers were considered Professionals, and they had the pretty clothes to prove it, even though as often as not their only real qualification was their father’s political connections.

Now the term is more often used to either simply describe what you do for a living or to describe how you go about your job but not how important your job makes you. If you conduct your job in a professional manner then you are professional. That includes acquiring the proper skill set and knowledge but it also includes how you conduct yourself. You may be an MD but if you are stealing pills from your patients to get high you are not behaving as a professional. I would consider the maid who doesn't steal from her guest more of a professional than the thieving doctor. Whatever it might have meant in Victorian times really shouldn’t be an issue since it really only applies to a social system that is not only dying but that needed more dirt thrown on its grave.

I think a modern and less elitist (because sorry some of you but elitist doesn't mean elite it just means arrogant) would be career vs job. Being a maid is a job but it isn’t much of a career. Maids she still try and behave in a professional manner though.

Do keep in mind prostitution is the oldest profession.