Militant career, professional position and working as a journalist in Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

This article presents results from a study of the mechanisms and modes through which diverse social resources are converted into professional positions. More specifically, we attempt to demonstrate how resources coming from political and political party militancy, participation in social movements and professional associations can become professional resources. Our research has on the one hand made it possible to identify political militancy as a major basis of professional resources. On the other hand, we identify a particular way in which journalism is able to associate ‘professional competence’ with political involvement. Thus, militancy not only contributes to an accumulation of distinct resources but to a particular perspective on the world and on professional activity itself. In this regard, one of the elements that stood out in our study was the special way in which journalism and militancy come together in providing access to positions in the journalistic field and broadening the prospects for professional activity. Keywords: profession, professional ability, militancy, politics.