Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, my son will be completing his A-Levels this year with subjects in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Computing. He aims to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering or Petroleum Engineering, and he excels in Computing as well. Could you please advise on the scope of these fields? (Mrs Neelum Waqar, Faisalabad)

Ans: Mrs Neelum, I would recommend that your son consider Electronics, Communication Engineering, or Mechatronics Engineering, as these fields have broader future prospects compared to Chemical Engineering or Petroleum Engineering. With a strong foundation in Mathematics and Physics, he can succeed in any of these areas.

Q2: Dear sir, I have taken admission in BS (Accounting & Finance) at IBA Sukkur and wanted to know if this field has good future prospects for me. My friends are suggesting I switch to BBA, as they believe it has a greater scope. My FSc marks are 72%. Could you please advise me on which field has better prospects for my future? Thank you. (M Talha Jawad)

Ans: Dear Talha, Accounting and Finance is a robust field with numerous career opportunities ahead. Many professional accounting bodies offer a range of exemptions towards professional qualifications such as ACCA or ACMA. Additionally, emerging career opportunities exist in finance and risk management. You might consider pursuing a postgraduate qualification in areas like Finance and Economics, Finance and Risk Management, or Finance, Capital, and Money. These degrees can further enhance your career prospects within the domain of accounting and financial management.

Q3: Dear sir, I am confused about selecting a field for my BS. I am considering Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. Which one has better scope in Pakistan? What should I choose? Please guide me as soon as possible. Thanks. (Nabeel Amjad, Narowal)

Ans: Dear Nabeel, since I haven't seen your FSc results and the grades you achieved in either Computer Science or Biology, I am hesitant to give definitive advice. If you are strong in IT and have a passion for it, and understand the integration of IT and Biology, Bioinformatics has great potential in Pakistan and abroad. Biotechnology is also a well-recognised field, and the specialisation you choose will impact your career opportunities.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, my daughter is in ICom Part-2 and wants to pursue a BBA. Can she do it? Also, what is the best field for girls for future success, or is there another path for a better future? Thank you, and I await your guidance. (Ghaus Shah, Karachi)

Ans: Dear Mr Ghaus, if your daughter has done her intermediate in Commerce and obtained good grades, I would suggest she pursue a bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance. However, if her marks are lower or if she lacks interest in Mathematics and is not comfortable with numbers, she may opt for a degree in Business Administration. Both degrees are suitable for females and can lead to successful careers as accountants, managers, or professionals in trade, commerce, and banking. I hope your daughter can choose a degree that aligns with her interests and academic background.

(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).