Abstract: Based on the essential attribute of “industry” of colleges and universities with industrial characteristics, this paper takes academic profession differentiation theory and career adaptation theory as the analytical framework to explore the ideal and actual professional traits of teachers in specific career development situations. The ideal professional traits of teachers in colleges and universities with industrial characteristic can be summarized as the potential unique traits in career cognition and behavior, which are closely in line with the cultivation of talents, scientific research and social service needed for the development of the industry. The study shows that the professional traits of teachers in colleges and universities with industrial characteristics are influenced by the career development situations, career adaptation state and the needs of the industry. Therefore, it is necessary for the state, universities and teachers to join efforts to promote the development of colleges and universities with industrial characteristics to the higher level with sound policy system, mature management mechanism and good professional concept, based on the reform and development of “new engineering”.