
Career Counsellor and Educationist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfoDqNrm408
Q1). I am an O-Levels student and I am waiting for my result. My subjects in O-levels were Accounts, Economics and Business Studies. I am confused what subjects should I opt in A-levels and should I pursue CA as I also want to know its […]
Counselling QuestionsQ1). I am an O-Levels student and I am waiting for my result. My subjects in O-levels were Accounts, Economics and Business Studies. I am confused what subjects should I opt in A-levels and should I pursue CA as I also want to know its scope in Pakistan. (Abdul Rehman- Karachi)
Ans: I will suggest that you focus on economics, business and accounting. This is an ideal combination whether you choose a professional route and become a charter accountant or pursue an honors degree in business and accounting that would exempt you from parts of CA or ACCA.
Q2). I have done B.COM (hons) from Punjab University and passing out year was 2015. In 2019 I have got SAP certification but from late 2014 I am unable to find job in my relevant field. Now I’m thinking to change my field so, I need your advice in this regard. Please let me know which filed would be better for me? (Faraz Irfan – Lahore)
Ans: I would not recommend that you should opt for a change in your field so early. If you don’t find a job, try to get a good internship with a reputable chartered accountancy or financial management company to gain experience. This will help you engage with your profession and ultimately find career opportunities in this area.
Q3). I have done MA Education from Punjab University, Lahore. Further I want to do MPhil but I am confused in choosing the subject area for myself. I want to work on Educational Management and supervision area but your advice would be highly appreciated. (Zohaib Naeem- Lahore)
Ans: The field of research that you have decided to pursue is very important and has a good future prospect. However, if you could include education economics that would further add value to your research and you will be able to work in education management and the finance area of this important sector.
Q4). I’m a student of MBA (Banking) from Karachi University and in my last year but I really don’t want to join banking sector neither conventional nor Islamic because of my religious issues. Now kindly help me out as I also have very limited resources and I have to do job in my future due to financial conditions. Kindly tell me about any short courses that would be highly beneficial for me to get good pay scale. (Seemal Rana – Karachi)
Ans: It is not compulsory to work in a bank with this qualification, you can proceed towards finding career opportunities at other financial institutions or multinational groups, who might be willing to utilize your services in their financial department. If you don’t find an exact career match you should at least begin your career in anything which deals with management and then review it after a while and see if you can move to the financial sector again.
Q1). I want to take your precious advice regarding my career. I have given my final exams of electronic engineering from Karachi. Please guide me what should I study now? MS or MBA or other and which one you think is the best? Should I […]
Counselling QuestionsQ1). I want to take your precious advice regarding my career. I have given my final exams of electronic engineering from Karachi. Please guide me what should I study now? MS or MBA or other and which one you think is the best? Should I study abroad and which country is cheaper so I can afford my expenses. Kindly guide me for the solution. (Haneef Khan – Karachi)
Ans: There are two clear preferences for you, if you proceed for an MS, I would advise you to start work for a couple of years and then focus at doing a management course such as MBA. With your current background I would recommend that you do a PG degree in Mechatronics or the second option would be communication engineering choosing wireless and mobile communication as a specialization. Both degrees are here to stay for many years to come and shall not limit your prospects abroad and in Pakistan.
Q2). Sir, my brother has recently done Mechatronic Engineering (Robotics) from EME NUST with aggregate GPA 2.50. He wants to continue his further studies, but he is a little bit confused either to join MBA or MS program. Kindly suggest either of the fields and also the related subject for MS (if suggested) as admission in electronics or mechanics is not possible with GPA 2.50. (Ayesha Iftikhar- Islamabad)
Ans: I would advise your brother to work for 2 or 3 years in the industry, acquire some knowledge and experience before opting for a management degree, for an instance e.g., MBA. It is important at this stage to get the practical experience of industry and machines and apply the knowledge and move forward.
Q3). My son did BE in Telecom Engineering from Islamabad in 2017 with 2.59 GPA. He did his Masters in Engineering Management from UK in 2019 with good grades. Presently he is engaged with me to look after my small-scale software development related company. He intends to do PhD in Disaster Management. Please advise what we should do? (Kareem Nawaz – Islamabad)
Ans: As your son is now a qualified engineer along with a superb top up master’s degree in engineering management, I would have suggested him to work in the industry for a few years before proceeding for a PhD. However, if he is adamant in doing a PhD and that too in disaster management, he would need to explore the subject area quite a bit and make up his mind in developing a worth researching topic in disaster management. There are a number of universities around the world which offer disaster management and once he has chosen the subject that he would like to do research in I will advise him further.
Q4). I did BSC Telecom Engineering in 2019 and now confused that should I do further studies or I should apply for any job? Please advise me. (Muzammil Qureshi- Gujranwala)
Ans: The most suitable option would be to go through the industry for few years and gather some knowledge and professional experience before proceeding for further studies. This will help build up a base and foundation to explore whether you should specialize in the same area or diversify towards management.
Q1). I am a student of B-Tech and my question is that after completing my B-tech degree, can I do MBA from any university in Karachi? I will be waiting for your response. (Sana Zia- Karachi) Ans: What I am certain is that many universities […]
Counselling QuestionsQ1). I am a student of B-Tech and my question is that after completing my B-tech degree, can I do MBA from any university in Karachi? I will be waiting for your response. (Sana Zia- Karachi)
Ans: What I am certain is that many universities in Karachi will consider your admission application for MBA after you complete your 4 years B-tech program. However, I will not advise you to go for an MBA until unless you have gained sufficient experience in your particular field and you understand the basics of working in an industry.
Q2). I did diploma in Chemical Technology and got 72% marks and now I want to become an engineer but I am confused whether to proceed for it or not. Initially I was interested in computer technology but due to my financial constraints I could not adopt that discipline therefore my uncle suggested me to apply for chemical engineering diploma and I did it but now I am completely confused about my future please guide me towards the right direction. (Safder Saeed- Karachi)
Ans: As you have completed a diploma in chemical Technology with good percentage, I would advise you to look for a job within this domain and earn some experience before switching a career, however, if a job is not available, at least try for a paid or unpaid internship in the relative industry to understand the basics of your specialty and I am sure you will find opportunities.
Q3). My son is currently preparing himself to attempt O-Levels exams privately and he is a student of science group (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Studies, Urdu Second Language, Pakistan-studies, English Language, Islamiyat and Math’s). We want him to attempt exams in three different attempts i.e., May 2022, October 2022 and in May 2023. I want your expert advice that how we shall divide his subjects for these three attempts. I would be pleased if you would reply me as soon possible. (Shahid Latif- Faisalabad)
Ans: For attempting the subjects mentioned above, a discussion is required with your son and evaluate his preparedness. Normally students select subjects such as Urdu, Islamiyat and Pakistan studies in one year and take the technical subjects the second year as preparing the science subjects together always helps but really, it’s a decision the student can make looking at the nature of his current study levels. I hope this helps.
Q4). I have done BS in Statistics from Federal Urdu University, year 2019. I have been working as Statistician (Medical Research Analyst) for more than two years. I want to take admission in MPhil program and due to full time job, I can’t get admission in MPhil at Karachi University. I am also interested in MSc “Epidemiology & Biostatistics” (it is equivalent to Mphil after submission of thesis) from ‘Agha Khan’. Which one is better for me MPhil in ‘Statistics’ or MSc in ‘Biostatistics’? (Muhammad Bashir- Karachi)
Ans: Proceeding for MPhil means, you will be doing a PhD and then choosing teaching as profession, which is also a good option. However Medical statisticians or health statisticians are highly in demand and very rightly these are expensive courses but at the end of the day your job prospects would be better. The choice is yours.
Q1). I am studying at Bahauddin Zakariya University’s sub campus in Sahiwal in MBA 4th semester and in our next semester we have to choose our specialization, the university is providing us with the option for two specializations and those are marketing and finance. Please […]
Counselling QuestionsQ1). I am studying at Bahauddin Zakariya University’s sub campus in Sahiwal in MBA 4th semester and in our next semester we have to choose our specialization, the university is providing us with the option for two specializations and those are marketing and finance. Please guide which one is best and have good scope in the field. (Khalid Abbas, Sahiwal)
Ans: If you are gregarious and social person with ability to make friends, marketing is a great choice. However, if you are good at mathematics and numbers then I would recommend you to look at finance.
Q2). My younger brother got 75% marks in FSC (Pre-Engineering) and I wish for him to get admission in some affordable private Engineering Institution. Please let me know which subject he should opt in engineering? (Zahid Qureshi- Lahore)
Ans: Private engineering universities in Pakistan are all costly, but in case of public sector universities, they are affordable and economical. However, one has to clear the entry exams and I would like you to get in touch with these universities directly to find more details. The subjects in demand in the engineering areas are Mechatronics and Software Development. I hope this information will benefit you.
Q3). I am student of BS (hons) English Literature and currently in 8th semester. I do not know what I should do next. Either I should go for MPhil or I should do LLB. Please guide me about this further. (Zayed Khan – Peshawar)
Ans: If you desire to choose a profession in education, which is teaching English then you should prepare for MSC or MPhil in English Literature that will benefit you in improving your career. However, if you are planning to do Law then you need to go through the professional LLB degree and I cannot advise you till the time I meet you at some point.
Q4). I am doing my BSCS from Islamabad. I want to know the future of this degree in Pakistan and abroad and for successful career what can I do after completing BS. (Yasir Ali- Islamabad)
Ans: The Computer science can be utilized in many ways and has an expanded usage in many fields. If a BSCS is toped up with one-year masters in Internet Security or Networking that will further boost your opportunities locally and abroad. In Pakistan all masters are 2 years but if you wish we can provide you information on one year master courses in the UK.
Q1). I am studying in International Islamic University, Islamabad. I am in 5th semester of BS Electronics Engineering and my so far CGPA is 3.8. I want to pursue my further education in this field. I want to know for my specialization which subject should […]
Counselling QuestionsQ1). I am studying in International Islamic University, Islamabad. I am in 5th semester of BS Electronics Engineering and my so far CGPA is 3.8. I want to pursue my further education in this field. I want to know for my specialization which subject should I choose. My options are Power, Instrumentation, Robotics or Computer. (Zafar Iqbal – Islamabad)
Ans: Your GPA maintenance is very good. Instrumentation and control systems should be your primary priority followed by Mechatronics where you can opt for either Bio Medical equipment, which use robotics or use of chip technology in the area of medical sciences this will replace the orthodox equipment very soon.
Q2). My son has done F.Sc with 81.5%. In matriculation, he secured 92% marks. He’s quite interested to do Aerospace Engineering. Kindly guide us regarding this and also about the other options for my son that can be helpful for him in future. (Javed Khan – Peshawar)
Ans: It is not recommended for your son to do Aerospace Engineering. Especially if you are interested in sending him abroad, but if he is very interested in doing aerospace then he can look at a number of institutions in Islamabad that offer degrees in this area such as NUST and Air University.
Q3). I am in 6th semester of my BBA and now I have to choose my elective subjects. I am interested to choose HR but my family is advising me to go for Supply Chain Management. Please guide me which one should I choose? (Alina Mughal – Lahore)
Ans: HR is vital and ideal subject especially when related to females. However, it does engage you with a little bit of labor and man power community. The next option recommended by your parents SCM could also be a good career option. Choice is really yours.
Q4).). I am an electrical engineer and working in a leading Oil and Gas Company as trainee engineer. The core of this industry is Petroleum engineering and I want to work as a petroleum engineer. Please suggest me that if I do Masters in this area then will I fit somewhere good in this field? (Latif Mazhar – Lahore)
Ans: Many courses are available that will provide you with more choices / options within the Oil and Gas Industry and you can surely do Masters in any of the specialization available. However, if you can gain more than 3 years of experience and do a good IELTS of 6.5 or above than you could look at doing an MBA in Oil and Gas offered by different International Universities which will open up huge prospects for you in future.
Q: Sir I’m currently doing MBA and passed my first semester. I got 81% marks from Virtual University and my second semester is in progress. In 3rd semester I need to decide my specialization. My previous qualification is B.Com and 5 to 6 years’ relevant […]
Counselling QuestionsQ: Sir I’m currently doing MBA and passed my first semester. I got 81% marks from Virtual University and my second semester is in progress. In 3rd semester I need to decide my specialization. My previous qualification is B.Com and 5 to 6 years’ relevant experience that is in accounts. Sir I would appreciate if you could please give me your expert advice as to which specialist area/ subject I should select. I look forward to your guidance. (Hanzla Rabbani, Sargodha)
A: Hanzla, looking at your current performance I understand you really worked hard. I think you should choose Financial Management or Accounting & Finance a specialist subject. This is because of your Commerce background and relevancy of experience with your current academic qualification. I know that you would be doing a project at the end of your current programme so, I would suggest you should think about doing Risk Analysis and live trading of stocks etc to finish your MBA.
Q: Respected Mr Abidi, I passed my Home Economics Bachelors (4 years honors) with specialization in in Food and Nutrition. My current CGPA is 3.2 ( 8th semester result is pending). I will appreciate if you can please guide me about a relevant M.Phil and give me your expert opinion and regarding best subject area/filed and which university I should choose to study. Please note that I have developed some interest in doing Clinical Nutrition. Your help and advice on the above shall be highly appreciated. (Samra Nasir, Islamabad).
A: Dear Miss Samra, your academic performance clearly shows that you are a hard working student. I understand from my experience is you keep the same pace and score more than 3.5 cgpa; you will have lot of opportunities especially chance of winning a 100% tuition scholarship from USA or United Kingdom. You should consider choosing from relevant emerging areas of research for an M.Phil like Food Safety and Micro Biology, Gens of lifestyle and nutrition health issues, Metabolism and of course Clinical Nutrition are all those areas that you can find greater career opportunities and Ph.D funding round the globe. These are all emerging areas and popular in demand. Best of luck.
Q: Sir, a bit confused if I should choose BBA or BS accounting and Finance though I’m very confident that I will secure admission in Business Studies at NUST Insha Allah. But I thought to request for your expert advice. Secondly, can you please tell me what is the criteria and qualification required if I wish to do MBA afterwards? Is this a prerequisite that I must have BBA or it can also be done after BS Accounting and Finance? (Anam Arshad, Faisalabad)
A: Dear Anam, certainly NUST is a high ranking institution of Pakistan. According to my experience if you are good at numbers and figures, I would like you to consider doing BS in Accounting & Finance or BBA is also a career oriented subject domain. Regarding your second question, please note that Masters of Business Administration (MBA) can be done either within Accounting Degree or with a Management Degree provided you have relevant experience as it is connected to work experience.
Q: Assalamu Alaikum! Dear Abidi Sb, I have read your recent column which motivated me to get some advice and guideline for my future career/ plans. Sir, I have done BS Hons Telecommunication with a cgpa of 3.7 from Iqra in 2020 and got job in a private company which deals in IT solutions. Now I wish to do MS Project Management from M.A Jinnah University. Can you please give me some information about what are other options/ field for MS and guide me being a girl ahead? Regards. (Farzana Siddiqui, Karachi)
A: Dear Miss Farzana, please note that Telecomm is a vast and emergent/growing subject area. Current innovation and technology enhancement in telecommunication is due to the fusion of IT and Computer Engineering. As you have relevant experience of doing projects in this telecomm area and understand the management, analysis and execution of projects in the practical sense, it would be a better option if you do MSc Project Management. This will definitely help you in improving your career prospects and or looking at Higher level management jobs within the Telecommunication industry.
Q1). I am student of BBA (hons). In future I want to do Masters and PHD in Supply Chain Management. Please guide me is this a worthy specialization to pursue and does it have any demand in the field? (Taha Khan – Peshawar) Ans: The […]
Counselling QuestionsQ1). I am student of BBA (hons). In future I want to do Masters and PHD in Supply Chain Management. Please guide me is this a worthy specialization to pursue and does it have any demand in the field? (Taha Khan – Peshawar)
Ans: The Supply chain management is in good demand and also in relative area of expertise. UK has a one year masters in supply chain management following a four years bachelor’s degree in at least a high second class. Having done your masters in SCM I would suggest you work for few years before deciding to research on a relative topic.
Q2). I did my BSC with double Math’s and Physics. Please advise me that further which field would be better for me and recommend the one which have good scope. (Zahid Ali – Lahore)
Ans: The combination of your subjects gives an understanding that you are proficient in mathematics and physics, and to pursue an ideal career path, software engineering with internet or web security options are good. Alternatively you would also look at telecommunication and mobile engineering which require good knowledge of mathematics and physics both and therefore we expect that you would make a good career in the above.
Q3). I am doing BCS (Bachelor’s of Computer Science). I want to ask you that out of three options which specialization I should choose further, Networking, Web Designing or Software? (Abdul Rab – Karachi)
Ans: Networking is requisite in the field of study you choose however, you may also take into consideration the study of internet security and web crime where you need to learn about development of software that protect financial institutions, banks and leasing companies making this profession in one of the leading areas of expertise.
Q4). My son has completed his MBA in Marketing. Earlier he did his BBA from HITEC University Taxila and his HSC with pre-engineering subjects from Federal Board. Unfortunately we do not visualize much of the scope in this domain and market is flooded. Therefore he is interested to change his career to software development or networking. Could you please suggest how he could achieve this in minimum possible time? Further, if there could be anything else you are requested to propose for his better future. (Khawar Munir – Islamabad)
Ans: It is highly recommended that once he completes his MBA he should find a job and start looking for other options & opportunities that are available in the MIS (Management Information System) which requires IT skills to handle management issues. Having worked for a little while he will definitely gain some understanding of the most in demand areas nearest to his expertise following which he can go for his masters in the relative area.
Q1). Sir, My brother has recently done Mechatronic Engineering (Robotics) with aggregate GPA 2.54. He wants to continue his further studies, but he is a little bit confused either to join MBA or MS programme. Kindly suggest either of the fields and also the related […]
Counselling QuestionsQ1). Sir, My brother has recently done Mechatronic Engineering (Robotics) with aggregate GPA 2.54. He wants to continue his further studies, but he is a little bit confused either to join MBA or MS programme. Kindly suggest either of the fields and also the related subject for MS (if suggested) as admission in electronics or mechanics is not possible with GPA 2.54. (Saira Ahmad- Islamabad)
Ans: I suggest your brother should work for a few years in the industry and gains some experience before getting into a management degree such as MBA. It is important at this stage to get the practical experience of industry and machines and apply the knowledge and move forward.
Q2). I have given my final exams of electronic engineering from Karachi. Please guide me what should I study now? MS or MBA or other and which one you think is the best? Should I study abroad and which country is cheaper so I can afford my expenses. Kindly guide me for the solution. (Farhana Iftikhar- Karachi)
Ans: Clearly both the options are open to you, however my first advice would be to use your Bachelor’s Degree and work for few years before you decide which specialism of Post Graduate Degree is best for you. However with your current background I would recommend that you do a PG degree in Mechatronics or the second option would be communication engineering choosing wireless and mobile communication as a specialization. Both degrees are here to stay for many years to come and shall not limit your prospects abroad and in Pakistan.
Q3). My son did BE in Telecom Engineering from Islamabad in 2011 with 2.49 GPA. He did his Masters in Engineering Management from UK in 2013 with good grades. Presently he is engaged with me to look after my small scale software development related company. He intends to do PhD in Disaster Management. Please advise what we should do? (Zahid Kareem- Lahore)
Ans: Your son is already qualified engineer with one of the good top up master’s degree in engineering management my advice for him is to get some experience in the industry for few years before proceeding for a PhD. However, if he is confident in doing a PhD and that too in a different field of disaster management he should explore the subject area quite a bit and make up his mind in developing a worth researching topic in disaster management. There are a number of universities around the world which offer disaster management and once he has chosen the subject that he would like to do research in I will advise him further.
Q4). I have done B.Com in 2015 and I have three years of work experience in Retail sector in Pakistan markets. Now I am planning to get Masters Degree in Supply Chain management. So is it a right decision for me to get degree in this field. Please guide with your expert opinion. (Bilal Khalid – Lahore)
Ans: I think you are very well qualified and experienced to consider doing a master’s within own specialism of supply chain management. SCM will greatly help you to expand and enhance your career prospects especially if you continue to engage in huge franchise whether household or food chains. A degree in SCM from a foreign country/ good university will give a slightly better edge.
Counselling and guidance should begin from early childhood if we are to convert our youth to responsible citizens Those involved in career counselling and education consultancy should take responsibility and do justice with their profession. Education consultancy business in Pakistan needs to be regulated. Renowned […]
News ArticlesCounselling and guidance should begin from early childhood if we are to convert our youth to responsible citizens
Those involved in career counselling and education consultancy should take responsibility and do justice with their profession.
Education consultancy business in Pakistan needs to be regulated.
Renowned educationist and career counsellor Syed Abidi who is also the Chairman of Association of Professional Education Consultants of Pakistan (APECOP) delivered a presentation today at the British Council organized symposiums titled “Counsellor’s Symposium” in Karachi. Speaking to the correspondent exclusively, he highlighted the importance of career counselling in Pakistan especially at secondary school and higher levels. He lauded the efforts of British Council Pakistan in organizing workshops and symposiums on this highly important and vital subject of career counselling. He said that in the west career counselling, guidance and interventions begin from early childhood and continue up to high school which helps a child to understand and develop skills that he possesses but are often ignored or influenced by parents. He said career counselling virtually transforms a child into not only a responsible citizen but also makes a specialist out of him in the area of his expertise that was inherent in his personality and character. Professional career counselling at the right time reduces the drop out ratio of students from primary and secondary schools resulting in increased literacy rate at this level. Western countries consider career counselling as part of their curriculum and qualified and professional staff is hired to deliver these services at all levels. Statistics and research has proven that career counselling has helped students and institutions to improve the quality of their education systems, enrollments and postgraduate employment ratios.
Syed Abidi delivered a presentation which he says will be helpful for school career counsellors and education consultants who are providing these services in Pakistan giving them an insight from basic definitions to the understanding of the theories and processes of career counselling and guidance. His presentation highlighted the use of internet and cyber technology in delivering guidance and career counselling and how can counsellors benefit from the today’s modern and internet based environment. He described the type of students that we face today have far better understanding and awareness of different career prospects through the use of internet which could be an advantage but if professional guidance is not available to translate this information rightly for them this could bring negative impact on the type of career prospects they may choose at the end of the day.
On the issue of education consultancy business in Pakistan he emphasized the need of regulating this business which has commercialized many folds since he himself started to work as a consultant in the 1990s. He pointed out hundreds of occasions when fake and fraudulent consultants charged huge and horrendous amount of money to send genuine students to small colleges and non-accredited courses resulting in wastage of hard earned foreign exchange of their parents and many years of their academic life. He said that he took this issue from his platform of APECOP to various agencies including FIA and presented a proposal to regulate and legitimize those involved in education consultancy business through a proper license. It is unfortunate that every now and then a student is deprived of huge amount of money in the pretext of going abroad all over Pakistan and there is no regulation to protect this.
The symposium was widely attended by leading educationists and career counselling experts from Pakistan and abroad and a number of presentation and lecture sessions were held on this topic in the 2 days’ event organized by the British council which will conclude on 20th of June, 2013.
Past, Current and Future Trends A critical review By Syed Abidi (TI) Education Expert & Career Counsellor & Columnist First of all I take this opportunity of congratulating The News on completing its 25 years and celebrating its silver jubilee. I think the entire management […]
News ArticlesPast, Current and Future Trends
A critical review
By Syed Abidi (TI)
Education Expert & Career Counsellor & Columnist
First of all I take this opportunity of congratulating The News on completing its 25 years and celebrating its silver jubilee. I think the entire management and workforce deserves a huge appreciation for delivering unbiased local and international news to the doorsteps of millions of readers for the last 25 years.
I had the opportunity of joining the team of education journalists not too long ago when I started to contribute to the newspaper in the area of career counselling a phenomenon that has been non-existent in the early 1990’s.
The importance of career counselling cannot be ignored in the development and economic growth of any country. The world is changing at an incredible pace and will continue to do so. We are moving from an industrial economy to a knowledge economy and knowledge as such is ongoing evolution.
There are many factors that contribute to this change which include: globalization, demographics, social, lifestyle trends and technology. Each of these factors hugely affects our careers and our personal lives in different ways and will continue to impact us at different times of our lives.
THE DEFINITION OF CAREER COUNSELLING
Before we go any further and discuss the importance of career counselling let us clarify the real definition of what career counselling is all about “The interactive process characterized by a unique relationship between the counselor and client that leads to change in one or more of the following areas:
Career counselling is a process that would help you to know and understand yourself and the world of work in order to make career, educational and life decisions. The goal of career counselling is not only to help you make these decisions but to give one the knowledge and skills that is needed to make future career and life long decisions through an intervention process’’.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CAREER COUNSELLING
While, career counselling has become an integral part of all educational institutions in the west and its being implemented in theory and practice particularly in secondary, higher secondary and university sectors. The importance of Counseling as a profession has now been widely recognized worldwide, trained and professional education counselors, career and advice centers are now part and parcel in all institutions in developed countries.
CAREER COUNSELLING IN PAKISTAN – PAST AND CURRENT TRENDS
Career Counselling In Pakistan it was non-existent during the early 1990’s both in the public and private sector and therefore, young children and youth had no access to career counselors or career counselling services in the entire education sector. This trend started to change in the early 2000 from the private sector especially with those institutions that were offering CIE qualifications and with the expansion transnational education in the country. The private schools started to develop career counselling units however; these were mostly related to providing information and guidance that was delivered through teachers or management staff. While, the public sector schools never had any career counselling facilities at secondary or higher secondary level and still there is no such facility in these schools.
EDUCATION COUNSSELLING IN HIGHER EDUCATION
There were no provision of career counselling services in the higher education sector in Pakistan up to the early 2000 and even after the formation of higher Education Commission in 2002. These included both public or private sectors and students mostly interacted with private or freelance education counselors and consultants to seek career and future guidance which was mostly limited to study abroad opportunities.
PAKISTAN – FUTURE TRNEDS IN COUNSELLING
Pakistan is one of the world’s largest youth bulge country with 48 % population aged 15 to 49 and 56% aged 15 to 64 that is what we call the productive age group. This young and dynamic population is a wealth for our prosperity. This huge youth population if provided the right cousnelling and guidance at the right time can enormously contribute for the economy and society with their education and skill.
If our children at schools are provided career couselling and guidance by professionally trained counselors and our youth at universities are allowed to interact with career experts they can proved to be an asset to the country and the source of future prosperity and economical development of the Pakistan. It is therefore important for the policy makers to understand the importance of providing career counselling services at school, university and skill training platforms from professionally trained counselors who understand principles and ethics of counselling.
If such a system is developed in our educational and training institutions with the aim to help the individuals regardless of their age and decision making, concerning the issues of education, vocational training, career choice and career development at any stage of life will help navigate our youth in the right direction.
The key contribution which career counselling and guidance facilities can make to achieve our key policy goals are as follows:
The Daily News & Jang are perhaps the only and the first newspapers that launched the initiative of providing career counselling and guidance opportunity to its readers through exclusive columns a few years back. I receive hundreds of emails on daily basis from young children and youth including people in their mid careers asking for guidance and are seemed confused in making their educational and career decisions which tells us how important career counseling is and how hungry our youth is to seek such guidance.
In the current period of economic development, political situation, security and social conditions that prevail we need career counselling and career professionals at every level especially higher education sector. Providing efficient counselling services depend on professionals and methodical training of career counselors in the sector of education, skill development labor and social affairs both in the public and private sectors.
If career counselling and guidance services are made mandatory at all levels in the context of lifelong education that gives the right to every citizen of every age and at every stage of their life, they will achieve the following:
COUNSELLING vs. TECHNOLOGY
It is important to understand that the youth of today often known as the Millennials are exposed to the increasing use of technology and social media gadgets and devices that at one hand bring them rapid and huge information contents but on the other hand increases the risk of getting confused with the choices that are available. This is where a professional and trained career counsellor can play a key role in navigating this information and providing necessary support in making career decisions.
COUNSELLING IN ACTS OF TERROSIM OR TRAUMA
Career counselling is also becoming increasingly important with the current threat of terrorism and acts of violence in schools and educational institutions that we have witnessed in Pakistan in the recent past. While the government and school management at public and private sector is doing all they can to increase security in the schools and provide a safe and secure learning environment to our children. It is vital to understand the impact that these terror threats and attacks every now and then on our educational institutions is bringing on the minds who go to their schools everyday in this shadow of terror threat.
If proper counselling is not provided through professional education psychologists and even pediatricians where necessary may have a negative impact on the learning outcomes of our young children which calls for seriously employing such counselors and services to our youth at all levels.
Research has proved that post-terror attacks on schools in the US has led to slow down the process of learning in young children and frequent interruptions in their school schedule due to security issues tends to alter their classroom absorption levels and learning abilities.
COUNSELLING IN POSTGRADUATE AND RESEARCH
In order for our youth to compete in the rapidly changing world they need to explore their study opportunities that includes emerging subject areas, the advances in research and technology and how to find these opportunities worldwide. Professional career counselling and guidance becomes more vital in the area of postgraduate and research studies. This is where our highly talented and highly qualified students tend to find research opportunities and contribute in the advances that are taking place whether it is social sciences, technology, engineering or health sciences.
A career counsellor that provides guidance to such students has to be trained and should have the expertise in helping to write research synopsis, finding research fundings, supervisions and center of excellences that meets particular requirements of those students seeking such opportunities.
CONCLUSION:
I am sure the government at federal and provincial levels will seriously look towards establishing career development centers at schools and universities. We need to train our teachers and academics to understand the ethics of career counseling so that they can also support the counselors in providing such services to their students. We also need to develop programmes in counseling at bachelors and masters level to produce more professions in this vital area.