Career counselling: questions and answers

Syed Azhar Husnain Abidi

Q1: I have done my FSc Pre-Engineering with 58 percent marks in 2017. I am worried about my future and a good BS field. I applied in BS International Relations (IR) & Strategic Studies (SS) in NDU, Islamabad. I have also applied in Computer Science (CS) at Bahria University and NUST University.I want to know which field is best for me in current condition of jobs in market. What is the scope and jobs of IR and SS in Pakistan? Which one is more effective CS, IT or SE? Thanks for your help. (Noman, Islamabad)

A: Having done your FSc Pre-Engineering and your background in Science subjects the most appropriate career path would be CS and IT. This provided that you have interest and understanding of how things work in Information Technology and the Computer Science domain. The emerging digital era beyond 2020 would be mostly dependent on computers and robots doing things and managed through software both whether business or industry. Therefore, jobs in IT and computer science are bound to increase vertically and horizontally whether Pakistan or abroad. However, you have to look at specialty areas when doing your postgraduate.

Now if you wish to switch your background towards social sciences and talk about cultural societies and economies then International Relations and Strategic Studies would lead into more specific areas to expand your career opportunities within the social science portfolio that will involve understanding of all social science and liberal art subject areas such as IR, SS, Media, Journalism, Gender Studies and Development Studies, etc. I cannot be sure which would be more suitable to you unless I have done a career counselling session but I suggest you discuss these with your teachers or available career counsellors to select based on my guidance on the above.

Q2: My son Ibrahim is currently studying in FSc Pre-Medical (Part II) but he is not sure what career path/line to follow/pursue after FSc. While I do not want to push him into a certain line, I wonder if I can meet you and discuss options available to him to follow. (Fazale Haq, Rawalpindi)

A: Thank you very much for your email. Once your son completes his FSc and depending on the grades that he has achieved you would be in a far better position to make a decision and similarly my guidance will be more effective at that time. Having scored a very high mark which qualifies him for a public sector medical school clearly indicates that he can look towards becoming a medical practitioner. However, if this does not happen then there are several other options that your son can look towards remaining within the domain of medical and allied health sciences. These include Biologists, Biotechnologists and health scientists that have strong career opportunities in the next generation. However, we can have a session with our son once I do my interviews in Islamabad and for sure there is time still so perhaps I shall be able to give my advice before his next results come through.

Q3: I completed my BCom (2 years) in 2013 after that I started my job in educational institute as information officer. I have around four-year experience of educational institute. In this period I trained new employees and worked as a customer relations officer. Recently I applied in Punjab University’s Institute of Administrative Sciences and got admission in Marketing and HRM both for master programmes (evening). Now I am confused which field is better for me according to my experience and have scope in future. I also want to go aboard for Job. (Adil Saeed, Sialkot)

A: I note that you have mentioned that you have a few years of experience in education marketing and customer services what is called giving information at an educational institution, I guess. Providing information, evaluating data and assisting students or new employees is an important area and since you have some experience already you should pursue a degree that falls under either education management and leadership or Human Resource Management and training from where you can lead into better job opportunities within the education sector and utilising your existing experience and career base.

Q4: I completed BS (CS) with 3.2 CGPA from Chenab College of Mianwali which is affiliated with Government College University (GCU), Faisalabad. My question is which masters I should do whether Computer Engineering, Network Engineering, Software Engineering or should just continue Computer Science? I want to apply for studying in Italy. (Muhammad Ishaq, Mianwali)

A: You have completed your Computer Science degree with a good CGPA. You are eligible for applying anywhere in Europe, such as Germany, Italy or Sweden and if you can achieve a 6.5 IELTS; you may be able to get a full scholarship as well. However, Software Engineering and Networking should be your options since both of them have strong and emerging career prospects. I wish you all the best.

(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).