Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: I would like to have your expert opinion and suggestion for my younger son in selecting his career. He is studying in Inter (Pre-Eng). In the first year, he secured 86.7% with Maths-96, Physics-98 and Chemistry-92 marks. He likes to take either Electrical or Mechanical Engineering after FSc. Your expert advice is required which field he should opt for, or some other in your opinion. (Zahid Iftikhar-Islamabad)
Ans: I would recommend that your son should look at doing Telecom Engineering with Mobile or Wireless Specialism. If he wants more hands on field he can then look towards doing a BEng in Mechatronics which has comparatively better job prospects.
Q2: I would like to state here that my son and daughter both are the student of Class V in a private school and are attending basic education on computer at school in Karachi. They very much insist me to provide them a computer at home, but due to abusive information and advertisement I almost avoided fulfilling their demand. Your kind advice is required in this regard. (Afnan Bashir-Karachi)
Ans: Keeping in view the interest of your children and their mental/ intellectual growth I think you should get them a computer and get it fixed by the IT people for limited access. Since your children are still in grade 5, so they will not be requiring unlimited access to every website.
Q3: I am writing to get a piece of advice that I got MPhil Zoology degree in 2004 from the Govt College University, Lahore with GPA 3.71. After this I joined a private higher secondary school and still I am teaching there. I have decided to do PhD but only from Lahore. Please guide me which subject suits me and from which university should I do it. (Fahad Nazeer-Lahore)
Ans: I suggest you to start writing a good Research Synopsis and choose a topic in Animal Genetics if possible. Once you have decided your research topic you must start searching for a supervisor at GCU or PU and I am sure you will find a good supervisor.
Q4: I have done Doctor of Pharmacy from Karachi. What is better for me in future either to work as a hospital pharmacist or do MPhil or should I try for job in any other country. Please guide me. (Ahmed Ali-Karachi)
Ans: I would recommend that you should go for MPhil and then join teaching profession. At the same time, you should pick up a good research topic and do your PhD in the same area.
Q5: I have done my graduation in Botany, Zoology and Chemistry with high first division. Now I have taken admission in MSc Biochemistry and I want your guidance about the scope of the subject and tell me that should I continue this course or switch to MSc Chemistry? (Zehra Anwar-Islamabad)
Ans: Biochemistry is the right subject and therefore you should pursue your MSc in Biochemistry. It is important however that you should choose a topic which is relevant to the current development within its highly potential areas, including visiting Forensic Sciences, DNA Analysis and New Drug research areas. Trials are being made and biochemists are currently working in all these areas.

(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).