On the basis of Anthony Giddens’ theory of agency and structure Angelika Paseka and Ilse Schrittesser present the results of the work of an Austrian group of researchers and teacher trainers. The group has worked out domains of competence referring to both individual capacities and skills as well as to the influence of structures and conditions wich guide professional activity. The domains comprise such professional “leitmotifs” as reflectivity, the awareness of one’s expert self , the ability to deal with uncertainty, complexity and diversity, the commitment to cooperation and expert discourse as well as the commitment to continuous improvement of everything you do in your professional life. Ilse Schrittesser introduces the theoretical concept underlying the above mentioned domains and will argue that the dualism of structure and agency hits the very point of the action pattern of professionalism. Consequently it will be shown how Giddens’ theory can not only become a source of deepening the theoretical knowledge of professional activity but can also provide an approach to examine it empirically. Angelika Paseka gives an example of such an empirical study using memory work in the tradition of Frigga Haug. She will demonstrate that this design can be used to get to know more about the mutual dependence of agency and structure and to reveal the tacit knowledge of people as well as the hidden agenda inherent in situations where teaching and learning is involved.