Career counselling: Questions and answers

Q. 1: I am a fresh graduate from UET Lahore in Polymer and Process Engineering with a CGPA of 2.50. I have also enrolled myself in Software Engineering in Virtual University of Pakistan with a CGPA of 3.20 (6 semesters). Currently, I am also teaching O/A levels (since I have done O/A levels as well) since 2013. Moreover, I have published an undergraduate research article 'Structural and electrochemical studies of heterogeneous ion exchange membranes based on polyaniline-coated cation exchange resin particles'. I am its co-author and it's published in RSC advances with a DOI: "10.1039/c6ra24594c".   Now based on all this experience what do you suggest me to do further? I plan on carrying the Software Engineering degree as a career, however, I feel that having spent four years in UET and successfully publishing a research article that too at an undergraduate level must not be left like this. Furthermore, teaching is something I will continue as I have gained four years of experience in that as well. Is there a way for me to go abroad and get higher education? I plan hitting Canadian scholarships. Is there a way to take all of three things together? I will be grateful for your help. Muhammad Ahmed Arif  

A.1: Dear Arif, having gone through your academic profile, your detailed qualifications and achievements, I have the following comments to make: At UET, your GPA indicates that you are not all heads up for Polymer and Process Engineering and I am not sure why you chose this subject. I see that you have a visible interest in Software Engineering and hence your GPA, so far is indicative of your interest. This combined with your interest towards research in your basic subject domain. I think you should look towards finding a research focused master’s degree and Canada could be an option. However, let me tell you that with a CGPA of 2.5 there are very slim chances for you to get admission to a respectable/public sector institution let alone a chance for a scholarship. However, you could complete your software engineering degree and if you do end up getting 3.4 or 3.5 GPA there are chances for you to be considered for a scholarship either in UK or Australia as Canada has a very selective and rather little scholarship opportunities. I hope this information will serve as guidelines.

Q. 2: I have taken admission in BS (A&F) to IBA Sukkur and wanted to ask if this field has a good scope for me in the future? My friends are suggesting me to take admission in BBA instead as BBA has a greater scope. My marks in FSc are 70 percent. Kindly suggest me which field to choose from and has a better scope for me in the future? M. Ali Mehdi

A.2: Accounting and Finance is a very strong area and there are huge career opportunities in it. I am sure when you search the sites of professional accounting bodies you will find many of them offer you a range of exemptions towards professional qualifications such as ACCA or ACMA etc. There are other emerging career opportunities in the area of finance and risk management and perhaps you can consider looking at doing a postgraduate qualification in finance and economics, finance and risk management, and finance capital and money etc. All these degrees will open further prospects for you with in the domain of accounting and financial management.

Q. 3: I am totally confused about the field selection for BS. I have listed Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. I want to ask which one of these has a better scope in Pakistan? What should I choose, Biotechnology or bioinformatics? Please guide me as soon as possible. Hareem Malik

A3: Since I am not sure or seen your FSc result and grades that you achieved in either computer science or biology. I am a bit reluctant to give you any advice. If you are strong in IT and have relevant expertise or passion for information technology and you understand the combination of IT and Biology then you should be aware that this field has great potential within Pakistan and abroad. Biotechnology is of course a very well recognized subject area and again depending on what specialism you choose will have an impact on your final career opportunities.

Q4: My daughter in I.Com Part2. She wants admission in BBA. Can she do it? Also advise
 us what is the best field for girls for future success or any other way for better future?  Mirza Muhammad Asif, Sialkot

A 4: If your daughter has done her intermediate with commerce and has obtained good grades then I would suggest that she go for bachelor's in accounting and finance. However, if she has less marks or she lacks interest in mathematics or is not good at numbers then she may choose doing a degree in business and administration. Both degrees are suitable for females and quite successful in becoming accountants, managers or working in trade commerce and banks etc. I hope your daughter will be able to choose a degree that is close to her heart and academic background.

(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).