Profession

Profession (also known as active career) is an aspect of career which players have to direct Sims to do their work instead of the basic careers where Sims only enter a rabbit hole and gain performance based on several factors. This feature is first introduced in The Sims 3: Ambitions, and is the main theme of the expansion pack. Further expansion packs also provide more unique professions.

Sims can find a profession from newspaper or computer, but some professions can be found in other ways. Sims can go to fire station to work in Firefighter, to salon or ask a stylist to work in Stylist, to city hall to work in Architectural Designer, to science lab to work in Ghost Hunter, to police station to work in Investigator, or ask a proprietor to work in performer professions. The only way to be employed in Daycare is from newspaper or computer.

The major point of profession is that players must direct Sims to perform certain tasks. They no longer go to rabbit holes, and instead, players can actually see what Sims do at work. Professions aren't usually tied to a workplace. Sims earn weekly stipend every Sunday. Professional Simoleon Booster lifetime reward enables Sims to earn more weekly stipend. Additionally, Sims will earn bonuses after finishing their task (such as extinguishing fire, completing a renovation, performing on stages, etc.) or performing for tips. Sims can also earn raise if they work hard enough.

Responsibilities and Job Experience
Sims have broader and more flexible ways to earn performance. Professions aren't provided with work performance; Sims will earn job experience instead, based on their completion of responsibilities. Most professions aren't attached to certain skills, though high skills might help Sims with their job.

Every time Sims perform any of the responsibilities, such as doing a stakeout in Investigator profession, Sims will earn some experience. Once Sims gain enough experience, they will instantly get promoted. This is a flexible way to be promoted, since Sims don't necessarily have to attend their workplace for a promotion.

Semi-Active Careers
Several careers have some elements from professions, which make them semi-active careers. This adds a variation to the careers so they have special tasks outside the rabbit holes.
 * If Ambitions is installed, Medical career has an expanded feature which enables doctors to perform medical checkup over patients. They will sometimes get a task to perform while on the work hour such as vaccination clinics at park.
 * In Late Night, Film career also has tasks around the neighborhood while on the work hour, such as promoting the movie at the bars.
 * In Supernatural, Fortune Teller career enables Sims to go around the town and tell Sims' fortune in addition to working at the caravan.

As Sims complete their task, they have to go back to work again. Otherwise, they'll be considered missing work.