Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, I have done bachelor’s in Education from QAU and I want to do specialisation now in Career Counselling & Guidance. Is there a master’s degree programme in Pakistan that I can choose and also do you think it’s a good move?

(Isra Ahsan, Islamabad)

Ans: Dear Isra, the field of career counselling is very close to my heart. So, I would suggest you to check MS in Career Counselling and Education in NUST Islamabad, if you want to continue studying in Islamabad. Apparently, there is no other programme in this discipline in the country as of yet, but it’s a highly respected profession around the world and we need more qualified career counsellors in the country.

Q2: Respected Sir, I am writing to seek the career advice from you. I’m a student of MA in Project Management from a prominent university in Karachi and I want to know what career I should pursue after my graduation?

(Hammad Farooqi - Karachi)

Ans: Dear Hammad, my sincerest advice to you is to focus on your degree only if you are not in need of a job or a career right away. After you graduate, you should try and get at least two to three years of experience and this experience should be in a relevant department/industry. Thereafter, you may continue your studies here or abroad.

Q3: Dear Sir, I’m a student of Bachelors of Technology and it’s an honors degree (BTECH Hons) from Lahore. Can you please suggest what I should do after this programme? (Hasnat Khalid, Gojra)

Ans: Dear Hasnat, after successfully completing your BTech (Hons), pursuing a master’s degree in Telecommunications is an excellent option. This

advanced qualification will significantly enhance your career opportunities, both in Pakistan and internationally, in the coming years.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I am currently studying Mass Communication. Could you please advise whether I should pursue Journalism in Urdu or English? Additionally, would you recommend this as the right career choice?

(Sidra Rehman, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Sidra, for journalism, I strongly recommend choosing the English medium.

Mastering English will sharpen your written and spoken communication skills while enhancing your overall reading and writing proficiency. This linguistic command will not only strengthen your profile in Pakistan’s media landscape but also open doors to international opportunities, giving you a competitive edge in the global media industry.

(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).