Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Abidi, I recently graduated from UET with a degree in Polymer andProcessEngineering, earning a CGPA of 2.66. I am currently pursuing a degree in Software Engineering from Virtual University, where I have completed six semesters with a CGPA of 3.26.

Additionally, I have been tutoring O/A level students for the past four years, having completed A levels myself. I also authored an undergraduate article related to Polymer Engineering. I am now interested in studying abroad, particularly in Canada, preferably with a scholarship. Your guidance would be greatly appreciated. (Rashid Iqbal, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Mr Rashid, after reviewing your academic history and research interests, I suggest pursuing a master's by research in a subject related to Software Engineering in Canada. Achieving a CGPA of 3.5 or higher in this programme could improve your chances of obtaining scholarships in Australia or the UK, as Canada offers limited scholarship opportunities. I hope this information and guidance prove helpful, and I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours.

Q2: Dear sir, I have just started my BS in Accounting and Finance. I am curious about the career opportunities in this field. My family recommends studying Business Administration, believing it has better prospects. I scored 73 percent in my intermediate pre-engineering exams. Please advise which field I should choose for my career. (Akhtar Abbas, Peshawar)

Ans: Dear Akhtar, Accounting and Finance is a highly popular and in-demand field. Many professional accounting bodies offer a range of exemptions toward qualifications such as ACCA or ACMA. You might also consider careers in Finance, Economics, and Risk Management, as these are emerging fields. I recommend pursuing a postgraduate degree in Finance and Risk Management, Finance and Economics, or a related discipline. These degrees will open numerous career opportunities in Accounting, Finance, and Management.

Q3: Dear sir, I need your help in choosing my subject for a BS degree: Biotechnology or Bioinformatics. Which subject has more demand and better career prospects? I would appreciate a prompt response. (Nur Fatima, Karachi)

Ans: Miss Nur, without knowing your intermediate results in computer science or biology, I hesitate to give a definitive recommendation. However, if you have a strong interest and aptitude in information technology and understand its integration with biology, Bioinformatics offers great potential both domestically and internationally. Biotechnology is also in high demand globally. Ultimately, your choice of specialisation will significantly impact your career prospects.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I seek your expert opinion regarding my daughter who is currently in her final year of ICom. She is interested in pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Please advise if this is a suitable choice for her, considering she is a girl.

(Atif Raza, Islamabad)

Ans: Dear Atif, if your daughter achieves excellent grades, I recommend she pursue a Bachelor's in Accounting and Finance. If her grades are lower or she is not strong in math, a degree in Business Administration would also be a good option. Women are very successful in fields such as accounting, management, banking, and commerce. It is crucial that she chooses the degree she is most interested in, as this will lead to greater success in her career.

(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).