Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, I am a final year student of BS in Computer Science and want to pursue my masters from abroad. Please advise me on some of the emerging areas I may consider for masters. (Junaid Akash, Sialkot)

Ans: Dear Junaid, BSCS is a promising and dynamic field of study that builds in students a strong base upon which a future can be built. I strongly recommend you to look at some of the emerging master’s programmes such as MSc Data Science, MSc Machine Learning, MSc Cloud Computing or even MSc Bioinformatics or even MSc Business Analytics. Good luck finding you best fit programme.

Q2: Dear Sir, I have recently finished my pre-medical 2nd year exams and I want to know what other subjects I can study for undergraduate if I don’t want to study solid sciences. (Rukhsar Rasool, Gujranwala)

Ans: Dear Rukhsar, luckily, taking sciences at intermediate level opens up many doors for students. Please be informed that other than Computer Sciences and Engineering programmes, you are eligible for all other disciplines such as Social Sciences, Arts and Architecture, Business Studies, English Language and Literature etc. Good luck.

Q3: Dear Sir, I have recently completed my PharmD and am currently working in a big pharmaceutical company in Lahore. I want to do masters alongside my work and I need your advice on some good master’s programmes in this field. (Qasim Hameed, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Qasim, Pharm D is an excellent field in medicine and it is quite rewarding if you associate yourself with a reputed organization. As for the master’s programmes, MSc. in Clinical Pharmacy, Master of Pharmacy (by research), or specialised master’s programmes like MBA in Pharmaceutical Management or Masters in Clinical Research and Masters in Public Health are some quality options. Best wishes.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I am an O Level (OIII) student from Islamabad and I am interested in Investment Banking. What are your thoughts on this field and what possible avenues does it open for one? (Arqam Ali, Islamabad)

Ans: Dear Arqam, investment banking is a dynamic and challenging career field that can open doors to significant opportunities in the financial world. It involves advising companies on raising capital, managing mergers and acquisitions, and underwriting initial public offerings (IPOs), among other things. While the field can be competitive, it also offers the chance to work at the highest levels of finance and potentially earn substantial income.

(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).