Grammar Guru is back this year, and I’m starting with a topic the StyleBlueprint team often discusses within our work. As the online and real worlds become increasingly riddled with people ready to give their opinions, it’s wise to look at the meaning behind some commonly confused job titles. Boy, do we seeΒ so many dubiously licensed professionals giving advice. And also some experts in their fields who deserve the nuanced distinction. See how many of these you know, and, as always, send me your ideas after reading!
Nutritionist + Dietitian
As with many pairs on this list, the difference between these two career positions lies in their formal education. A nutritionist may or may not have formal qualifications, and the term is often not regulated. A dietitian (you can spell it dietician, but the pros prefer it with the t)Β is a regulated and credentialed professional with formal education and training in dietetics. Earning dietitian credentials requires national board certification and, as of this year, a master’s degree.
In many countries, the term “dietitian” is protected, and practitioners must be licensed to use it. It’s always a good idea to ask for or check someone’s qualifications before you trust what they say. Look for RD (registered dietitian) and RDN (a newer term β registered dietitian nutritionist), and check out our dietitian-approved ways to feel better every day.
Optometrist + Ophthalmologist
An optometrist is trained to provide primary eye care services after completing a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree after undergraduate studies. These are the professionals who ask you to read the pesky eye charts, write your glasses or contact lens prescriptions, and diagnose and treat basic eye conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Ophthalmologists are MDs or doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) who go to medical school and residency in ophthalmology. Their scope covers the medical and surgical care of the eyes, and they are often super specialized (think glaucoma, retina, cornea, oculoplastics, etc.). They operate on, diagnose, and treat a broader range of conditions. Optometrists are fine for basic eye things like getting that yearly prescription. For anything more involved, pick an ophthalmologist.
Wedding Planner + Wedding Coordinator
Wedding planners can do it ALL, while wedding coordinators typically focus on day-of details. The work of a wedding planner can start with setting up venue tours and designing the entire aesthetic of the wedding and continue until the last vendor leaves after the wedding. They steer every single aspect of the planning process and can suggest specific vendors based on your tastes and budget. A wedding coordinator can work alongside the planner (often within the same company) or instead of them. If a couple is particularly hands-on, they may just need a coordinator to come on board for logistics after making more significant decisions.
Writer + Journalist
While both of these include the act of writing, a journalist adheres to more stringent parameters. The writer umbrella includes fiction writers, screenwriters, poets, essayists, technical writers, content creators, and more. Conversely, a journalist analyzes and presents news and information to the public. Their work ends up in newspapers, magazines, and online platforms, as well as on television, radio, and podcasts.
While there isn’t a holy grail credential to be either a writer or a journalist, most journalists have studied in the field and adhere to ethical standards, fact-checking, and objectivity. Since their work is often timely, sensitive, and political, they’re often under the constraints of deadlines, guidelines, and other stylistic rules.
Psychologist + Psychiatrist
When it comes to mental health, psychologists and psychiatrists often work collaboratively to provide comprehensive care, but they’re pretty different. Psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology, which involves extensive coursework, research, and supervised clinical experience. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who complete medical school and then a residency in psychiatry.
Psychologists handle a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, stress, depression, relationship troubles, and more, but they don’t prescribe medications. Psychiatrists treat the conditions mentioned above and even more severe or complex disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and beyond. Since they can prescribe medications, they add a biological aspect to counseling or treatment.
Business Owner + Entrepreneur
I hear these terms thrown around a lot, but there are some nuances to each “title.” A business owner’s purview is the ownership, growth, and management of an established business. In contrast, an entrepreneur is often linked to creating and developing something new or disruptive in the market. The entrepreneur focuses on innovation and adding value to the market, even if it means lots of financial risk and growing pains.
People often transition between these roles, starting as entrepreneurs and evolving into owners as their ventures mature. Or, some entrepreneurs aim to sell their idea to an established business owner and get to work on their next big idea.
Podiatrist + Orthopedist
Toe, foot, and ankle things are the worst. But knowing your professionals can save you time bouncing from appointment to appointment. Podiatrists earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree after completing specific training in podiatric medicine and surgery. While they can perform surgeries (not all podiatrists do), prescribe medications, and provide non-surgical treatments such as orthotics, they only focus on injuries, abnormalities, infections, and conditions related to the feet and ankles.
Orthopedic surgeons are medical doctors (MD or DO) who go to medical school and residency in orthopedic surgery. Their scope of treatment is more comprehensive and includes all musculoskeletal conditions, including those affecting the spine, hips, knees, shoulders, and other body areas. As skilled surgeons, they can specialize in joint replacements, fracture repairs, soft tissue repairs, and more. Some orthopedic surgeons specialize in issues related to the feet and ankles.
Registered Nurse + Nurse Practitioner
If you have a nurse in your life, it’s important to get this one right. An RN typically holds a nursing diploma, an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). They are crucial backbones to the healthcare systems, administering meds, monitoring patients, collaborating with doctors, and providing the nitty gritty, direct care to patients in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings.
An NP holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. They can assess patients, order and interpret tests, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans. They often work independently or with physicians and, you may have noticed this at your own doctors’ offices, are becoming increasingly recognized as primary care providers.
Web Designer + Web Developer
Web designers are all about the website’s aesthetics and user experience. They use graphic design, color theory, and typography expertise to create a website’s overall look and feel, including the layout of pages, navigation menus, and visual elements. They may also work on branding and the creation of visual assets. While they may have some coding experience, they often work within specific software platforms like the Adobe suite, WordPress, Squarespace, etc.
Developers are more techy than creative. Using coding skills and programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScrip, they usually take the design created by the web designer and turn it into a functioning website that works across different browsers (Google Chrome, Safari) and different devices (iPhone, desktop). If you hear terms like “web designer/developer” or “full-stack developer,” these people do both jobs. However, collaboration between designers and developers is crucial as a website gets more complex.
Do any other professional titles confuse you? Email ideas to [email protected], and I will consider a follow-up article with additional confusing pairs. All photos via Pexels unless otherwise noted.
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