To investigate the development of the professionalism of adult educators, we compare individuals' narratives of their professional work at different times in their biographies.Using data from a qualitative longitudinal study, the paper includes two case studies through which we show phases of learning in the development of professionalism. We reconstruct forms and meanings of learning in this process. The study allows insights into differences in professional learning during the life course and the influence of institutional and social context in the development of professionalism.