Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, I have completed my MA degrees in Social Anthropology and English Literature. Aside from pursuing a career in teaching or research (PhD), could you please suggest other potential avenues for employment or any specialised diplomas at the master's level that could enhance my job prospects? (Rida Batool, Peshawar)

Ans: Dear Rida, after reviewing your academic background, I believe you possess an excellent combination of master's degrees. You may explore opportunities in teaching at the school or college level.

Additionally, considering your interest in Anthropology, pursuing a PhD in this field could be promising, especially as it is an emerging and popular subject area. Moreover, I recommend considering specialised areas such as poverty alleviation, development studies, and gender studies for further research, as these are in high demand within NGOs like UNDP, UNO, and UNESCO.

Q2: Dear sir, I am currently pursuing a BBA degree and do not intend to pursue a master's in Finance upon completion. As I am in my sixth semester, I seek guidance on future study options and short courses. I am not inclined towards banking-related jobs.

My GPA is 3.2. Your assistance would be highly appreciated. (Usman Syed, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Usman, given your current academic pursuit, you have several options for specialising in areas such as HR, Marketing, or Strategic/Information Management for your master's degree.

While you have expressed disinterest in finance, it's essential to note that specialising in finance doesn't limit you to banking-related roles. Choose a specialisation that aligns with your interests and career goals. Q3: Dear sir, I recently completed my master's degree in English and seek guidance on potential job opportunities. Could you please advise me on where to apply? (Waqas Ahmed, Multan)

Ans: Dear Waqas, congratulations on completing your master's in English! Teaching English language skills is a promising career path. Consider obtaining training materials for exams like TOEFL/IELTS and explore opportunities as an English teacher at various academies and schools.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I am interested in pursuing a degree in aircraft engineering from a recognised university in Dubai. Could you please recommend institutions offering such a degree and confirm their accreditation? (Ali Naqvi, Karachi)

Ans: Dear Ali, thank you for your inquiry. All universities and degree-awarding institutions in the UAE are accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR). For aircraft engineering programmes, ensure you have a strong foundation in mathematics and physics. You may visit the MOHESR website for further information on accredited institutions offering the programme.

(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).