Career counselling: Questions and answers

Q1: What are the payable professions after BA and what is scope of software after ICS. (Usama Zubair, Toba Tek Singh)

A: All professions that require some kind of expertise or where you have a specialism are payable or in other words offer you reasonable means of livelihood. People who even don’t have BA or Intermediate but are computer wizards, understand communication, are familiar with platforms that are used in developing communication, power point, or can deliver designing through different graphic software make huge money by doing their own business running shops or working at several places as freelancers.

It is therefore, important that you train yourself in a discipline that you feel you are good at but then specialise and be really good in what you learn and deliver.

Q2: I have completed my graduation in BSc Math, Statistics and Economics. Now I want to do Masters in Human Resources, and also thinking about MSc Statistics. Guide me which degree is best for me and will be helpful now and in future. (Samra Malik, Gujrat)

A: If you achieve good results/ grades in your Maths and Stats, or in other words if you are good at numbers, and are more of a numerical person, I would suggest you do your MSc in Maths and Statistics. There are better opportunities for you being a female in public sector and or banking industry etc.

Q3: I am taking the exams of 10th class. I am very good in doing Math. I am going to take Pre-Engineering in first year. I got 468/495 in 9th class. To which field should I go? I shall be very thankful to you for guidance. (Umer Nazir, Faisalabad)

A: Pre-Engineering is not only dependent on being good at Maths. You must have a sound understanding and knowledge of all related science subjects. This means that if you are very good at Maths, you should be at least a B-grade student in Physics and Maths to make a relevant combination for Pre-Engineering. Please also note that obtaining marks in Maths is much easier than the other science subjects for which you may need to work hard if you are to maintain a percentage which can help you towards your admission to a reputable institution/ university.

Q4: My husband works in Dubai as a driver. My education is BA/BEd. I also have Montessori Diploma in early childhood education. Sir please guide me how can I apply for job in Dubai as a teacher? Can I get a good job in Dubai as a teacher? I also want to do MA. Please tell me which subject has scope in Dubai. (Saira Shahban, Rawalpindi)

A: The main areas that you will need to improve yourself would be English comprehension, reading and writing expertise etc. I hope you are aware that most schools in Dubai are international franchises and demand extensive use of English particularly in teaching. The other area to improve would be the use of technology within teaching methodology. Most young learners in schools in a country like even UAE use IPads and multimedia as learning tools. I am sure once you have all these qualifications and your diploma in Montessori you should be able to apply to different schools on a visit visa that your husband can arrange easily. I would suggest you work few years in a country like Dubai following which you can look at doing a Masters degree. I wish you all the best in your future career.

(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).