Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, I have completed my Bachelor’s from NED University of Engineering & Technology in Electrical Engineering with a CGPA of 3.4. I am confused between pursuing a Master’s in Power Systems or Telecommunications. Could you please help me to decide which field has better career prospects? (Ahmed Raza, Hyderabad)

Ans: Dear Mr Ahmed, both Power Systems and Telecommunications offer exciting career opportunities, depending on your interests and career goals. Power Systems, especially with the rise in smart grids and renewable energy projects, is a field with growing demand for engineers who can contribute to the modernisation of electrical infrastructure. If you are interested in sustainable energy solutions and electrical grid management, Power Systems could be the right path. On the other hand, Telecommunications is rapidly expanding, particularly with the introduction of 5G networks and IoT. If you're interested in wireless communication, network design, and emerging technologies, this field might be more appealing. Institutions like NED University of Engineering & Technology and UET Lahore offer excellent Master’s programmes in both fields.

Q2: Dear sir, I completed my Bachelor’s in Computer Science from FAST-NUCES with a CGPA of 3.7 and I am now working as a software developer. I want to enhance my qualifications by pursuing a Master’s in either Cybersecurity or Cloud Computing. Which field should I choose for better career growth? (Bilal Hussain, Attock)

Ans: Dear Mr Bilal, congratulations on your solid academic background and professional experience. Both Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing are critical fields in today’s tech-driven world. If you are interested in protecting data, networks, and systems from cyber threats, then Cybersecurity is the ideal choice, with high demand for professionals across industries. Cloud Computing, however, is equally significant as businesses continue to shift their infrastructure to cloud platforms like AWS and Azure. Cloud specialists are in demand for roles in architecture, deployment, and management of cloud systems. Universities such as COMSATS Institute of Information Technology and FAST-NUCES offer specialised Master’s programmes in these fields.

Q3: Respected sir, I graduated in Environmental Sciences from University of Peshawar with a CGPA of 3.5 and I am now considering pursuing a Master’s degree in Climate Change or Environmental Management. Could you help me choose which would be more beneficial for a future career? (Ayesha Iqbal, Charsadda)

Ans: Dear Ms Ayesha, both Climate Change and Environmental Management are crucial fields given today’s global environmental challenges. A Master’s in Climate Change would allow you to focus on the scientific and policy aspects of climate adaptation and mitigation, which are critical for shaping environmental policies. On the other hand, Environmental Management involves the practical side of environmental protection, including managing natural resources, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and implementing sustainable practices. If you are more interested in addressing climate policies and impacts, Climate Change may be more suitable. If you prefer hands-on work in managing environmental systems, Environmental Management would be a better fit. Universities like Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and Quaid-i-Azam University offer advanced programmes in these fields.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I have completed my Bachelor’s in Business Administration from University of the Punjab with a CGPA of 3.2, and I am currently working in a marketing firm. I want to pursue an MBA but am unsure whether to specialise in Marketing or Human Resource Management. Could you guide me on which field has better career prospects? (Fatima Abbas, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Ms Fatima, both Marketing and Human Resource Management (HRM) are valuable MBA specialisations that can significantly advance your career. If you enjoy working in customer acquisition, brand strategy, and digital campaigns, Marketing would be the right choice, especially with the rapid rise of digital marketing and e-commerce. On the other hand, if you are inclined towards managing people, recruitment, and employee relations, then HRM might be a better fit. HRM professionals are in demand for organizational development and change management roles. Consider your long-term interests—whether you prefer strategy and creativity in Marketing, or team management and leadership in HRM. Institutions like Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi offer excellent MBA programmes.

Q5: Respected sir, I completed my Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from UET Lahore with a CGPA of 3.8. I am considering doing a Master’s in Structural Engineering or Construction Management. Could you advise me on which specialization has better future prospects? (Usman Khan, Multan)

Ans: Dear Mr. Usman, both Structural Engineering and Construction Management offer promising career paths. Structural Engineering focuses on designing and analyzing structures like bridges, buildings, and tunnels, which is essential in ensuring the safety and integrity of infrastructure. It is an excellent choice if you enjoy technical design and working on large-scale engineering projects. On the other hand, Construction Management is more concerned with the planning, coordination, and control of construction projects from start to finish. This field offers leadership roles in managing budgets, timelines, and teams. If you are more inclined towards the technical aspects, Structural Engineering might be better. If you prefer project leadership, Construction Management could be more beneficial. NED University of Engineering & Technology and UET Taxila offer strong Master’s programs in both specializations.

(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).