Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, I am doing A Levels with Physics, Mathematics and Computer Sciences and I am a bit undecided on the subject I should study for my undergrad. I want to know what choices I have. Please guide me. (Muhammad Jan, Islamabad)

Ans: Dear Muhammad Jan, with your strong A-Level subject combination, you have a wide range of high-demand undergraduate options across STEM fields. You can choose from BS Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence. Also, there are certain interdisciplinary courses such as Computational Physics/Maths. Your subjects offer versatility, so prioritise what excites you most.

Q2: Dear Sir, I have done BS in Bio Technology and I am really interested in studying business in Master’s. Is this a smart choice in your opinion or should I continue with Bio Tech for master’s? (Kiran Ramzan, Sargodha)

Ans: Dear Kiran, switching from Biotechnology to Business for your Master’s can be a smart and strategic move, depending on your career goals. If interested, you can also combine your biotech background with business skills to enter high-growth sectors. John Hopkins University offers one such master’s MS in Biotechnology and MBA Dual Degree which is a perfect blend of business and pure sciences.

Q3: Dear Sir, I am in the final year of my BS in Chemistry from a university in Karachi and I have a distinction in my batch. I am interested in pursuing an MS in Environmental Chemistry in Pakistan. Can you please suggest suitable university options for further studies? (Anisa Islam, Karachi)

Ans: Dear Anisa, pursuing an MS in Environmental Chemistry in Pakistan is an excellent choice, given the growing focus on sustainability and pollution control. Here are the top universities for your advanced studies: University of Karachi, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Comsats University, Islamabad and University of Punjab Lahore. If open to abroad options, Germany/Scandinavia offer fully funded MS programs in Environmental Chemistry.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I recently completed my Intermediate in Pre-Medical but couldn’t secure admission in MBBS or BDS. I am now considering alternative fields in healthcare. What programmes would you recommend that have good career prospects in Pakistan? (Sarah Khan, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Sarah, I am glad that instead of being disheartened for not getting admission in your first-choice degrees, you are open to exploring other alternative healthcare fields. Let me assure you that they have really strong career prospects in Pakistan. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Medical Laboratory Technology (BS MLT) and Nutrition & Dietetics (BS Nutrition) are some well-regarded degrees for science students.

(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).