Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, I have recently completed my LLB and want to specialise further. Should I pursue a Master’s in International Law or Human Rights Law? Which has better scope in Pakistan and abroad? (Mehwish Ahmed, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Mehwish, both International Law and Human Rights Law are prestigious fields, but they cater to different career paths. International Law is ideal for those interested in working with international organisations, multinational companies, or diplomacy. It focuses on trade law, arbitration, and international treaties. Human Rights Law is suitable for those passionate about advocacy, policy-making, and working with NGOs or government agencies. In Pakistan, International Law specialists have better opportunities in corporate law firms, while Human Rights Law is more relevant for the non-profit sector. Internationally, both fields are competitive but rewarding.

Q2: Dear Sir, I have a Bachelor’s in English Literature and want to work in the publishing industry. Should I pursue a Master’s in Publishing or Creative Writing? (Hira Nadeem, Sialkot)

Ans: Dear Hira, both options are valuable depending on your career goals. Master’s in Publishing focuses on the business side of the industry, such as editing, production, and marketing of books and digital media. Master’s in Creative Writing is ideal if you want to improve your writing skills and become an author or work in content creation. If your goal is to work in publishing houses or digital media companies, a master’s in Publishing would be more beneficial. For a creative career, pursue Creative Writing.

Q3: Dear Sir, I have a degree in Economics and want to pursue a career in policy-making. Should I go for a Master’s in Public Policy or Development Studies? (Arham Shah, Peshawar)

Ans: Dear Arham, both Public Policy and Development Studies are excellent choices for a career in policy-making. Public Policy focuses on policy analysis, governance, and decision-making, preparing you for roles in government, think tanks, or international organisations. Development Studies covers economic development, social issues, and global inequality, making it suitable for careers in NGOs, research, and international development agencies. If you aim for a career in government or policy-making institutions, Public Policy is a better fit. Development Studies is ideal for those focused on international development and social impact.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I have recently completed my Bachelor’s in Education and want to specialise further. Should I pursue a Master’s in Educational Leadership or Curriculum Development? (Ayesha Noor, Quetta)

Ans: Dear Ayesha, both Educational Leadership and Curriculum Development offer great opportunities for growth in the education sector. Master’s in Educational Leadership prepares you for administrative roles, such as school principal or education policy advisor, focusing on management and leadership. Master’s in Curriculum Development is more suitable for those who want to design and implement educational programs and improve teaching practices. If you aspire to take on leadership roles in schools or educational institutions, Educational Leadership is the right choice. For a career in curriculum planning and instructional design, Curriculum Development is more suitable.

(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).