Career counseling: questions and answers

Q: Dear Mr Abidi, I am writing this email to request for your expert help and guidance for a better subject area for my M.Phil degree. I am currently doing DVM and after that I wish to do M.Phil. Your expert advice is requested. (Rafeeq Asghar Warraich, Gujjar Khan)

A: Mr Warraich, I think you should get some experience after graduation and only then consider what are the main areas that require further research when it comes to veterinary medicine in Pakistan. You might be aware that a lot of new viruses and diseases have hit the animals recently and as such veterinary pathology, veterinary parasitology and veterinary microbiology are some very key specialist subjects that you should think over for research. Majority of these areas/subjects attract international scholarships in foreign countries especially commonwealth scholarships in veterinary sciences. I think this information would be beneficial for you.

Q: Sir, your expert opinion is requested regarding my future study plans. In 2019, I passed bachelors (4-year honors degree) with physics. I had a CGPA of 3.89. Due to facing hardships and problems in getting a job related to physics can I do MBA? I will be thankful for your help in this matter. (Jahangir Khurram Jadoon, Sialkot)

A: I think that the specialization of your bachelors is a very popular one and it has more future career jobs/prospects. Physics related jobs include both related to geography and energy when it comes to using the knowledge of physics. Consider an emerging subject like geophysics and yes you should also think about doing nuclear physics, fusion energy and astronomy related physics. Moreover, I suggest you should do some research and see what is more attracting to you as future career. On another note, MBA is only better choice if you have some experience.

Q: I am a student of biochemistry (a 4-year honours degree) and currently I am in my first semester. But I don't know the scope of this field. Can you please advise me about this field? I look forward to your help on this. (Fakhrunnisa, Lahore)

A: You have chosen a very good subject which is high in demand. There are bright chances of success in choosing this career going forward once you complete your bachelors. I would suggest you look towards doing research in biochemistry and if you work hard and achieve a GPA of 3.5++ it is likely that you get scholarships for your masters and you can top up in biomedical sciences, Haematology or advance medical sciences that involve research on stem cells, etc. Therefore, according to my experience, your chosen subject has bright future.

Q: Respected Mr Abidi, I have passed my M.Phil with English language and literature with 3.45 CGPA from an HEC recognised university. Now I am going to Malaysia for PhD on self-finance. I will appreciate your advice whether it is a good subject keeping in view the future prospects and a wise decision? I look forward to your kind response and guidance. (Musfira Baloch - Multan)

A: Dear Miss Musfira, if you have done your M.Phil with 3.45 CGPA, you should have got some kind of scholarship or grant even from the university that you have chosen in Malaysia. However, doing a PhD will anyway give you a good platform and, of course, enhance your job prospects back in Pakistan. It is not an issue if you are spending some money on your education as this is going to pay you back as soon as you return and join the academia in Pakistan or perhaps find an international teaching appointment.