Career counselling: questions and answers

Q: I have completed my FSc with 81 percent marks and I did my Matric with 89 percent. My question is what I should choose from the following: Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or Psychology. I want to be sure that I get admitted easily to one of these, can you advise? (Mirza Sufyan, Rawalpindi)A: Considering your Matric, FSc grades and marks, I think you should be able to get admission to any of the degrees or subjects that you have mentioned in your question. I would suggest that you look at the subjects form the following priority: Molecular Biology, Pharmacy & Biotechnology. However, Psychology is a very different subject area and until you have a passion and interest only then you can look at doing

Psychology and becoming a professional in this area.

Q: I am a student of BS Computer Science (Semester-I) in Federal Urdu University, Karachi. I am very confused about my career and studies. I had no interest in science subjects. I don’t like Physics, Chemistry and Maths. My Percentage in FSc is 62 percent. I want to study Arts subjects but I appear on merit in Federal Urdu University and I got admission to BSCs. I need counselling how can I approach you? I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. (Tehmina Baqa)

A: My advice to you is that you should now continue your computer science degree and work hard to complete the degree on time. Remember, that computer science is a huge domain with lot of specialism available for your master’s degree. There are large numbers of females who are now working as IT professionals and are successful in their career. As for doing Arts is concerned this will depend on how good you are in your sketching and how much interest you have in this subject and whether or not you want to make arts as your profession. I regularly visit Karachi and when I do so next time I will get in touch with you to have a counselling session.

Q: I really have no idea where and how to start my unfortunate tale of events. Let’s just begin with 2008 when I appeared for my O ‘level exams from Beaconhouse School and scored 4Bs, 2Cs and 1D. Afterward, I entered a private college for my A ‘levels. The two years of my college didn't go well. I just wasn't able to prepare well for my final exams; so I skipped CIE exams in 2010 and planned to appear in 2011 (one year later than my contemporaries) to appear in exam with better preparation. Finally, in 2011, I appeared in my three A'levels (Physics, Maths and Computing). I could only pass Computing with C grade and failed in remaining two subjects. This is when I called it quits and started to learn programming online by watching tutorials and reading guides. In two years, I was able to programme simple apps and that's when I entered the world of freelancing (2015). I faced difficulties and rejections in beginning of my freelance career but was fast enough to make a good profile within a year and started earning $400-$600 (per month) by 2016. As of now, I am earning almost $1,200 to $1,600 per month with freelancing but I want to earn a bachelor degree in CS to encash my programming skills. I forgot to mention that I gave Matriculation exams in 2015 to appear for FSc or ICS in 2016. I passed Matric with 65 percent marks but failed to sit for ICS because of busy freelance schedule. So now I am someone who did O'levels in 2008, Matric in 2015. That's all I have under my belt. I need your kind suggestion if there's any possibility left now for me to earn BSCS (any university would work for me as I just want a degree). My age is 27. (Anonymous)

A: I have read your complete educational profile and I see that despite personal and academic issues you have kept yourself going and working hard. However, since you have failed to achieve a basic level of education and have reached the age of 27. It is difficult to look at a possibility of getting you into a degree programme abroad. There are certain universities which offer bridging and foundation courses that lead into degree programmes. However, not every country will issue visas for this course to a person of 27 years of age. However if you wish to find out more then send me all your transcripts whether failed or passed and somebody will get in touch to guide you further.

Q: I have completed MA in International Relations (IR) from Karachi University. Now I want to study further. What can I study as well as continue my job? Kindly guide me I will be very thankful to you. (Azlan Shah)

A: International Relations (IR) is a very emerging and important area which is quite connected and relevant if you wish to attempt CSS. I think if you have flair to serve as a public servant and in the bureaucracy doing CSS can be the first step in making your career. However, if you do wish to continue your studies in IR, there are a number of very important areas for research leading to PhD which will open huge career opportunities for you in the teaching sector.

Q: I am in pre-medical group and I have completed intermediate but result awaiting. My Matric result is 76 percent and 1st Year’s result is 79 percent. I plan to do MBBS and BDS. Sir, what should I choose after MBBS & BDS either Pharm.D, TS-Textile Science Programme, or Accounting & Finance? I am fond of Textile Science and Accounting & Finance because there are huge opportunities in this sector. So please reply. (Mubashar)

A: Considering your intermediate marks I am doubtful whether you will be able to get admission to a public sector university for medicine or dentistry. However, you have indicated your interest for two more subject areas that are Accounting & Finance and Textile Science. In case you are unfortunate to get admission to medicine then I would recommend that you look at Accounting & Finance as your first priority and Textile Science as your last. I hope that this advice is helpful to you.

(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).