Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, my nephew is currently pursuing a Business and Commerce degree in Australia and he is in his last semester. He aspires to pursue a Master's in Professional Accounting abroad. I am a regular reader of your column and value your insightful suggestions. I would be grateful for your guidance. (Imran Amjad, Vehari)

Ans: Dear Imran, once your nephew completes his Bachelor's degree in Business and Commerce, he can consider pursuing a Master's programme in Professional Accounting in Australia. Many reputable universities in Australia, including DAIKIN, Monash, and QC, offer 1.5 years of Master's degree in Professional Accounting. This would be advisable as Australia provides good opportunities for applying for Permanent Residency (PR), and his Australian qualifications would enhance his chances of finding a job and integrating well into the Australian work environment.

Q2: Dear sir, I have a younger brother who has recently completed his FSc and has no interest in further studies. I am interested in guiding him towards starting a business to secure his future. Can you provide any suggestions? (Omar Anwar, Peshawar)

Ans: Dear Omar, I'm afraid I cannot advise your brother to start a business at such a young age, especially when he has just completed his FSc. My suggestion would be to encourage him to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Business Studies. This would help him to understand the fundamental theories and policies of business, and he would gain some maturity and confidence, reducing the risk of potential losses.

Q3: Dear Mr Abidi, my son holds a PhD in Physics with a specialisation in ‘Photonics’ from Stockholm University, Sweden. I seek your guidance on suitable employment opportunities for him in Pakistan, aside from teaching. He declined a job offer from LUMS, citing concerns about starting from the beginning, as his advanced research in Sweden, Germany, and Spain might not be fully used. He is also eligible for Swedish citizenship. Please advise on whether he should return to Pakistan or stay there. Regards. (Usman Ali, Shakargarh)

Ans: Dear Mr Usman, Photonics is a highly specialised field, and there are limited opportunities for your son to engage in research or industrial projects related to Photonics in Pakistan. He could explore teaching opportunities at reputable universities such as NUST or LUMS. However, considering his eligibility for Swedish citizenship, I would recommend exploring options in Sweden or Germany, where research in Photonics is thriving. He could look into research opportunities at the Centre for Photonic Research at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany.

Q4: Sir, I completed my BSc in Electronics Engineering from UET Taxila. In my second year, I realised that this field was not my passion, but I continued due to societal expectations. Now, after graduation, I am still confused and uninterested in my field. I feel like my life is ruined. Please help me. (Rizwan Butt, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Rizwan, an Electronics Engineering degree is valuable and versatile. If you lack interest in Electronics, consider enhancing your skills by pursuing a Project Management degree or a Master's in a related field like Computer Science, focusing on areas such as Internet Security, Big Data, or Communication. With CPEC opening up opportunities, these choices align well with the evolving job market. Stay positive, work hard, and commit to your goals – success follows persistence.

(Syed Azhar Husnain Abidi is a renowned educationist in Pakistan, with more than 20 years of experience as provider of education counselling services. He has represented Pakistan in over 100 national and international seminars, conferences and fora. He is a recipient of the most coveted civil award Tamgha-e-Imtiaz).