Umbrella/generalist terms for jobs/roles that have distinct subroles?
April 13, 2022 10:58 AM Subscribe
During a recent MeFi podcast conversation I found myself explaining "recordist" as term used by folks who do some mix of recording, engineering, mixing, performing, etc. music, and specifically that the term was useful as an umbrella term because it was distinct from someone who did only a given specific sub-role as their focus or primary job. Which got me wondering: what other examples are there of umbrella terms (for a vocation or avocation or ?) that aren't simply less-specific generalizations but useful for encompassing that jack-of-all-trades role in particular vs. a dedicated specialty?
To chart out the territory a little more: this doesn't feel quite the same as the use of "programmer" for someone who does any number of more specific things involved in software development; someone whose primary focus is e.g. microprogramming, or software engineering, or compiler optimization, all might also refer to themselves as programmer in a general context. By contrast I wouldn't expect a professional mastering engineer to refer to themselves as a "recordist" even though mastering is one of the things that a self-described recordist might do.
So that's the nub of it: role terms that aren't merely generalizations that apply to both the specific role(s) and the general collection of them, but which are more or less separate and distinct from the specific roles and not casually interchangable.
To chart out the territory a little more: this doesn't feel quite the same as the use of "programmer" for someone who does any number of more specific things involved in software development; someone whose primary focus is e.g. microprogramming, or software engineering, or compiler optimization, all might also refer to themselves as programmer in a general context. By contrast I wouldn't expect a professional mastering engineer to refer to themselves as a "recordist" even though mastering is one of the things that a self-described recordist might do.
So that's the nub of it: role terms that aren't merely generalizations that apply to both the specific role(s) and the general collection of them, but which are more or less separate and distinct from the specific roles and not casually interchangable.
I think I understand what you are asking. It is a really interesting distinction. I am not sure if this is more like "recordist" or "programmer", but in baseball, you are generally a specific position player, i.e. catcher, 2nd baseman, etc. Except there is a category of player called a utility player or a utility infielder that is capable of playing several positions as needed. I would say the general category is baseball player. The utility player is a subset that encompasses several or multiple categories of player.
Educator? A person who may teach several different categories of classes, be an administrator (Principal) and maybe a coach.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:58 AM on April 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
Educator? A person who may teach several different categories of classes, be an administrator (Principal) and maybe a coach.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:58 AM on April 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
in my area we have "Learning & Development Specialist" which can be instructional designer, learning management system administrator, e-learning developer, technical writer, etc. Sort of what you're after?
posted by wellred at 12:22 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by wellred at 12:22 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Gizmologist? It came up in this article. That led me to this man's website.. I am not sure if this fits your definition, but that is a fascinating website. The scientific study of, or the body of knowledge pertaining to, gizmos.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:45 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:45 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Hospitalists? Doctors who provide care for all kinds of patients in hospitals.
posted by cushie at 1:21 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by cushie at 1:21 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
This is pretty common in the non-profit sector since people do often wear many hats. Someone who calls themselves a development manager probably does some combination of asking donors for money, writing and preparing direct mail appeals, managing the donor database, or planning fundraising events. Taken individually, these would all be specific roles at a larger organization: a major gifts officer, direct mail coordinator, database manager, event planner.
posted by lunasol at 2:01 PM on April 13, 2022
posted by lunasol at 2:01 PM on April 13, 2022
Here's a bad example.
I'm a translator, a trade that is often confused with interpreter. They're related, and some people do both, but they are distinct, and (especially because we're language nerds) we are picky about misuses.
I've seen some people use the word "linguist" as an umbrella, but that's really a third thing altogether. I don't think there's a good umbrella term.
posted by adamrice at 2:34 PM on April 13, 2022
I'm a translator, a trade that is often confused with interpreter. They're related, and some people do both, but they are distinct, and (especially because we're language nerds) we are picky about misuses.
I've seen some people use the word "linguist" as an umbrella, but that's really a third thing altogether. I don't think there's a good umbrella term.
posted by adamrice at 2:34 PM on April 13, 2022
If I'm understanding your question correctly, I think the term "Designer" might fit the bill?
Before I started my career in design research, I thought "designer" meant someone who created tangible artifacts or spaces (or mapped out artifacts/spaces). E.g. graphic design, architecture, interior design, fashion, etc.
In the design research, innovation, R&D, User/Customer Experience world, "Designer" is a catch-all term that describes someone involved (generally) in some combination of research, prototyping, testing, wire-framing, programming, and/or product development (and other activities I can't think of at the moment) across literally any and all industries. But if you only do ONE of these things, your title will typically be more specific to that activity. It's actually frustrating to me because it's become almost meaningless in its generality—you could have two people who call themselves "designers" with entirely different skill sets and roles.
I was once asked by a potential client "How many designers do you have on your team?" and I didn't even know how to answer, because none of us call ourselves designers, but we all do design, at least in the way our industry defines it.
posted by a.steele at 2:47 PM on April 13, 2022
Before I started my career in design research, I thought "designer" meant someone who created tangible artifacts or spaces (or mapped out artifacts/spaces). E.g. graphic design, architecture, interior design, fashion, etc.
In the design research, innovation, R&D, User/Customer Experience world, "Designer" is a catch-all term that describes someone involved (generally) in some combination of research, prototyping, testing, wire-framing, programming, and/or product development (and other activities I can't think of at the moment) across literally any and all industries. But if you only do ONE of these things, your title will typically be more specific to that activity. It's actually frustrating to me because it's become almost meaningless in its generality—you could have two people who call themselves "designers" with entirely different skill sets and roles.
I was once asked by a potential client "How many designers do you have on your team?" and I didn't even know how to answer, because none of us call ourselves designers, but we all do design, at least in the way our industry defines it.
posted by a.steele at 2:47 PM on April 13, 2022
I'm not sure if I'm understanding your distinction, but maybe "performer"? It encompasses actors and comedians and singers and other specialized entertainment artists, but it's also a term they'd still specifically call themselves in certain contexts.
posted by Mchelly at 3:58 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Mchelly at 3:58 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
I found myself explaining "recordist" as term used by folks who do some mix of recording, engineering, mixing, performing, etc. music, and specifically that the term was useful as an umbrella term because it was distinct from someone who did only a given specific sub-role as their focus or primary job.
Without having listened to the podcast, I'll say that "recordist" is not a term I have heard all that often, kinda especially in a professional context. (Maybe it's a West Coast/PNW thing?)
So I'd say something more like "audio engineer" or "audio tech" as the general umbrella terms, and then under that you could be "live" or "studio".
And if you're a "live" audio tech you could be a FOH mixer (mixes what the audience hears), a monitor mixer (mixes what the band hears), a systems tech (on larger shows a separate position whose job is to make sure all the many & varied & complex elements of a sound system are set up & functioning properly) or (arguably) even an RF coordinator (whose job is to make sure that a ton of wireless mics and in-ear monitors are all operating properly, which can be really complicated & will change from city to city.)
If you're a "studio" audio engineer you could be a tracking engineer (does initial recordings), a mixing engineer (mixes all the recorded tracks into a stereo signal), or a mastering engineer (tweaks the mixes of all the songs so they sound their best and have even levels and form a sort of cohesive whole album, sonically.)
Lots of folks can do one or more of those things, and for cocktail "what do you do" chatter (and on my tax return) I would call myself an "audio engineer", but on any given show/tour/recording project I am (almost always) only doing one of those sub-roles.
posted by soundguy99 at 4:08 PM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
Without having listened to the podcast, I'll say that "recordist" is not a term I have heard all that often, kinda especially in a professional context. (Maybe it's a West Coast/PNW thing?)
So I'd say something more like "audio engineer" or "audio tech" as the general umbrella terms, and then under that you could be "live" or "studio".
And if you're a "live" audio tech you could be a FOH mixer (mixes what the audience hears), a monitor mixer (mixes what the band hears), a systems tech (on larger shows a separate position whose job is to make sure all the many & varied & complex elements of a sound system are set up & functioning properly) or (arguably) even an RF coordinator (whose job is to make sure that a ton of wireless mics and in-ear monitors are all operating properly, which can be really complicated & will change from city to city.)
If you're a "studio" audio engineer you could be a tracking engineer (does initial recordings), a mixing engineer (mixes all the recorded tracks into a stereo signal), or a mastering engineer (tweaks the mixes of all the songs so they sound their best and have even levels and form a sort of cohesive whole album, sonically.)
Lots of folks can do one or more of those things, and for cocktail "what do you do" chatter (and on my tax return) I would call myself an "audio engineer", but on any given show/tour/recording project I am (almost always) only doing one of those sub-roles.
posted by soundguy99 at 4:08 PM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
Programmer or Coder -- there are so many varieties... computer, firmware, web, embedded, linux, Windows, mobile, platform specific
Web developers -- you mean UI/UX, frontend, or backend, or both (i.e. full stack)?
posted by kschang at 5:53 PM on April 13, 2022
Web developers -- you mean UI/UX, frontend, or backend, or both (i.e. full stack)?
posted by kschang at 5:53 PM on April 13, 2022
If I understand the question right:
1. 'Architect', a specific & regulated profession in the built environment, with strict registration and education requirements, who work designing physical buildings and structures
2. 'Architect', as an umbrella term for people who design systems and processes of all kinds, including in IT, corporate services, systems design, and engineering (a use which is highly resented by 'architects' of category 1.)
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:05 PM on April 13, 2022
1. 'Architect', a specific & regulated profession in the built environment, with strict registration and education requirements, who work designing physical buildings and structures
2. 'Architect', as an umbrella term for people who design systems and processes of all kinds, including in IT, corporate services, systems design, and engineering (a use which is highly resented by 'architects' of category 1.)
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:05 PM on April 13, 2022
Seconding “Compliance Officer.” A small organization will have a single Compliance Officer who does all the compliance things. And a large organisation will have a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) who oversees all the compliance things.
But inside a medium or large organisation, you’d also have Compliance Officers with specific roles and titles: regulatory compliance, trade compliance, food safety compliance, data protection compliance, financial compliance, conduct compliance, whatever. A specialist would rarely say they’re just a compliance officer without specifying which type, because that would imply either a generalist or CCO role.
posted by whitewall at 11:45 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
But inside a medium or large organisation, you’d also have Compliance Officers with specific roles and titles: regulatory compliance, trade compliance, food safety compliance, data protection compliance, financial compliance, conduct compliance, whatever. A specialist would rarely say they’re just a compliance officer without specifying which type, because that would imply either a generalist or CCO role.
posted by whitewall at 11:45 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Do you mean someone who’s a jack-of-every-specific-subset-of-a-trade, but master of no single aspect?
The term for a professional writer who can be depended on to write whatever, and doesn’t have any kind of specialty, is “hack”, which has gradations of pejorativeness, depending on context.
posted by Kattullus at 10:58 AM on April 14, 2022
The term for a professional writer who can be depended on to write whatever, and doesn’t have any kind of specialty, is “hack”, which has gradations of pejorativeness, depending on context.
posted by Kattullus at 10:58 AM on April 14, 2022
Craftsperson or (ugh) crafter. Can apply to anyone from wood worker to jewelry maker and when I hear it used; usually refers to folks who do craft shows.
posted by jabo at 11:00 AM on April 14, 2022
posted by jabo at 11:00 AM on April 14, 2022
I hear sewist a lot -- which can mean someone who sews, while sewing includes a huge category of art and various functions. Sewists might make costumes (but not be a seamstress), or slipcovers (but not be an upholsterer), or quilts (but not be a quilter), or embroidered art (but is not an embroiderererer), or any other combination within the form as their needs and whims dictate.
posted by mochapickle at 3:00 PM on April 14, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by mochapickle at 3:00 PM on April 14, 2022 [1 favorite]
Civil Servant broadly fits this description. People at the more public-facing end of the civil service would probably describe themselves directly by their job - "benefits supervisor", "tax inspector" whereas the more generalist people working in managerial/leadership/policy roles are more likely to describe themselves using the general term civil servant. This reflects the structure of the profession - people working in e.g. policy roles are often expected not to be specialists, but to be able to turn their hand to any area as needed; whereas people in public-facing roles will be recruited directly into that specific job.
posted by Jabberwocky at 2:13 AM on April 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Jabberwocky at 2:13 AM on April 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
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posted by box at 11:57 AM on April 13, 2022