Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, I have recently completed my FSc Pre-Medical with a score of 780/1100 (71%) from Karachi. I’m passionate about environmental sciences and would like to pursue a BS degree in this field. Can you please guide me on which specialisation would be most suitable for future job prospects? Additionally, which universities offer strong programmes in this field? (Aiman Tariq, Karachi)

Ans: Dear Aiman, considering your interest in environmental sciences, I suggest looking into specialisations like Environmental Health, Conservation Biology, or Environmental Management. These fields are growing rapidly and offer strong career opportunities. For universities, I would recommend considering institutions in the UK, Canada, or Australia, as they offer robust programmes in environmental sciences and ample research opportunities.

Q2: Respected sir, I have completed my BBA with a CGPA of 2.8 from Jhelum and want to pursue an MBA with a focus on Human Resources. Can you recommend a suitable country or institution that would provide quality education and good scholarship opportunities? (Hamza Khalid, Jhelum)

Ans: Dear Hamza, with your background in business administration, pursuing an MBA with a specialisation in Human Resources is a solid choice. For institutions, consider studying in Malaysia or Turkey, as both offer quality education with comparatively affordable tuition fees and living costs. Additionally, they provide various scholarship opportunities for international students. Look into universities that emphasise practical training and have strong industry connections to enhance your career prospects post-MBA.

Q3: Dear sir, I have a BS in Computer Science with a CGPA of 3.1 and would like to do a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence. Can you guide me on potential countries or universities to consider and any tips for funding options? (Rida Ahmed, Islamabad)

Ans: Dear Rida, with your solid foundation in computer science, a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence could open many doors in the tech industry. Look into countries like Germany, Ireland, and Canada, which have reputable programmes in AI and emerging fields within tech. Germany, in particular, has public universities with low or no tuition fees for international students. Additionally, research scholarships from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) or check university-specific scholarships in Canada and Ireland.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I am in the final year of my BS in Chemistry from a university in Peshawar, and I am interested in pursuing an MS in Environmental Chemistry abroad. Can you please suggest suitable options for further studies? (Fahad Zaman, Peshawar)

Ans: Dear Fahad, Environmental Chemistry is an excellent field with numerous applications in industry and research. I recommend looking into programmes in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada, as they are renowned for their expertise in environmental sciences. Many of these universities also offer funding options and have strong research links in environmental studies.

(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).