Career counselling: questions & answers

Q1: I am doing bachelor in Software Engineering from Bahria University Islamabad. I have completed two semesters and got CGPA 3. What is the future of software engineering? What would you advice me for specialisation? (Safdar Hayat - Islamabad)
Ans: Software engineering is a good area provided you top-up this with a good Master’s degree and at which time I will guide you about a few specialisations that will help you broaden your prospects within the software engineering sector.
Q2: I did BS (Hons) in Applied Physics with Electronics; can you please guide me if I’m eligible to apply for Electronics for further studies? (Fawad Jibran - Lahore)
Ans: Yes, with a four-year degree in physics and electronics you can move to a master degree in electronics, communication or both in Pakistan and abroad.
Q3: I want to discuss regarding my sister’s career, she has done her BS Human Development and Family Studies from Government College. Please let me know whether she should do MPhil or appear in CSS exams. If you recommend for MPhil then which area should she choose? (Hamid Zafar - Lahore)
Ans: If your sister wishes to attempt CSS she is very well qualified and I am hopeful that she should pass the CSS. Should she decide to do an MPhil there are a number of areas for research especially under gender studies and women studies that she can consider.
Q4: My brother has recently passed FSc (Pre-Engineering), please tell me in which field of Engineering he should proceed his career. Electrical, Mechanical, Civil or else? What is your opinion about Air University? I am currently doing BS(CS) from Comsats Islamabad. What do you recommend for Masters and PhD, and which university? (Nawaz Irfan - Islamabad)
Ans: The most appropriate and promising area in engineering these days is Mechatronics or communication and electronics.
As far as I know Air University is a good university of PAF and has necessary teaching faculty. As far your masters and PhD is concerned you must not think until you complete yours BSCS with good grade.
Q5: Your column in The News is always very knowledgeable and informative. I am an undergraduate student and have completed A-Levels (in World History, Law and Economics). I want to do CSS and pursue a career in Foreign Services. What undergraduate programme should I pursue in Pakistan? (Hassan Mehmood - Karachi)
Ans: I would suggest you to go for an honors degree in International Relations or Economics with Development Studies and increase your reading towards books of general IQ including newspapers and journals that are published inside Pakistan and internationally. I wish you success in your CSS.
(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).