Career counselling: questions and answers

Q 1: Dear Mr. Abidi, I recently graduated with a degree in Mass Communication from Bahria University and am deeply interested in Digital Media Marketing. Could you guide me on the potential career paths in this field? (Hassan Mehmood, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Hassan, congratulations on your graduation! With a degree in Mass Communication and an interest in Digital Media Marketing, you have a strong foundation to build a successful career in this dynamic field. Here are some key roles you can explore: Content Marketer/Creator, Digital Marketing Specialist, SEO Specialist, Digital Analytics Specialist and Influencer Marketing Manager.

Q 2: Dear sir, I completed my FSc. pre-medical 2 years ago and after that I did a 2 years long diploma course in AI offered by the Government of Sindh. Please guide me on how I can utilize my education and this diploma start my bachelors as I am equally interested in both fields. (Habib urRehman, Karachi)

Ans: Dear Habib, your current qualification and the diploma in AI makes you well-versed with basic knowledge in both the fields of Healthcare and Technology, which is a lethal combination. I would suggest you Bachelors in Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare, so far only offered by Health Services Academy, Islamabad, this sounds like something that fits best for your passion in AI and Healthcare. Q 3: Dear sir, I have done my intermediate studies in pre-medical from Peshawar and I want to know that if I choose any bachelors degree such as BS in Nursing or Biotechnology, will I be able to do MD (Doctor of Medicine) from Pakistan?

(Muneeb Khan, Peshawar)

Ans: Dear Muneeb, the answer to that question is no! Please note that MD (Doctor of Medicine) in Pakistan is a specialization only for those who have done MBBS. However, if you do bachelors in either of the mentioned programmes, you have a variety of options to choose from for your masters such as Masters of Public Health, Masters in Biotechnology etc.

Q 4: Dear Mr. Abidi, I have completed my intermediate (HSSC) in Pre-Engineering but my marks are average. I am interested in pursuing a career in Environmental Sciences or Environmental Engineering within Pakistan. Could you please advise me on whether I should improve my score by reappearing in science subjects or should I take my chance with what I have got? (Haris Zaman, Mianwali)

Ans: Dear Haris, it’s great that you’re interested in Environmental Sciences or Environmental Engineering—both are growing fields in Pakistan with increasing opportunities in sustainability, climate change, and green technology. If you wish to get admission in top-tier Pakistani universities, I suggest you to reappear in science subjects and raise your percentage by 10 – 15%. It may be a longer route but this is what it takes to be at the top of the game.

(Syed AzharHusnainAbidi 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).