>>1370308
Usually the difference is between pro and amateur, in which case a professional generally has it as his sole source of income and/or can teach it at a level that improves amateur skills to professional levels. Normally there is a 'pro circuit' for such things, like motivational speakers or certain comedy clubs or concert halls of a certain size.

Really it's the point where game recognize game.

>>1370308
I can tell you on my side of things.

I'm a fisheries manager, been doing it for 10 years in WA and AK. The difference between a pro and a normie is time on deck. If you don't know how shit goes down on the water, you cannot effectively provide technical/policy analysis in order to regulate.

So I suppose a more generic way of saying it is knowing the industry from the ground up. not just coming in laterally from something akin to college or OCS.

>>1370308
Professional: I have 10 years of experience in PIC RELATED.

Normal: Eyo, lemme get some fuck.

I just assumed professional was a catch-all term for high status normie jobs, engineer, doctor, lawyer, senior manager etc.