Career counselling: Questions and answers

Q-1: I have done BS (Hons) Physics and I'm expected to join Punjab School Education Department next year. I'm also doing BEd for promotion in school system in what subjects I should continue my higher studies and also recommend something for competitive exam of headmastership? (Yasir Younas, Lahore)

Ans: If you are planning to make your career in teaching or in managing education I would recommend you to complete your BEd and then look towards doing your MA in education management. I would also recommend doing an MPhil in Physics to develop your specialism as a Physics teacher which has a great demand.

Q-2: Sir, I have recently done my Masters in English Literature and Linguistics from NUML and my CGPA is 3.33. Please guide me what to do next. Should I go for higher studies or should I look for a job. (Zara Kamran, Islamabad)

Ans: English literature and linguistics is a huge emerging area, in fact you can do a lot in Pakistan if you wish to come into teaching English. However, there are number of specialism and research possibilities in linguistics and many of them will also offer you reasonable funding and grants in most western countries. I think the choice is yours whether you wish to go for higher studies or perhaps gain some practical teaching experience before planning to do so.

Q-3: I have taken admission in Biztek University, Karachi in BS Machatronics. I have completed two semesters with 3.0 GPA but I want to do a diploma in PLC and also in graphics animations. Kindly tell me what is the scope as I am very confused. Please give advice as soon as possible. (Imran Thebo, Karachi)

Ans: My advice to you would be to complete your Mechatronics and then think of doing any additional certifications or courses. BS Mechatronics is a good area that will provide you opportunities to work in a number of industries, manufacturing plants and once you have gained some experience you can look towards some other interests such as graphics and animations. Please do not get confused at this juncture this will only prove fatal in terms of your career moving forward.

Q-4: I read your columns about educational matters and I like them very much. My brother has done Matric (science) with 57% from a rural school in Baltistan in 2014 so he has an educational background of backward area. His two years have been already wasted due to some problem, now he wants to continue his educational career. He has no idea what to do ahead. Please give a piece of advice about what he can do to continue his career to save his future, what field of study he can adopt ? (Hamid Yahya, Gilgit)

Ans: I would advise your brother to look at vocational training programmes that are offered by various technical institutions and polytechnics across the country. I am also aware that such technical training institutes are also present in northern areas, including Gilgit-Baltistan. This is an era of technical skills and expertise. Please asks your brother to inquire from the local technical training department and I am sure they would be able to provide more information on the courses that he can do. I wish him all the best in his future career.

(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 the recipient of the most coveted civil award Tamgha-e-Imtiaz).