Allama Iqbal has reflected Pakistani / Muslim youth as Shaheen prodigy. But how can a Shaheen’s child realize its class if he does not learn how to fly. Similarly, how Pakistani youth can realize their potential if they have not been allowed to follow their dreams and ambitions. Parents in Pakistan mostly influence their children in choosing their professions. Such wishful professions have been reflecting parents’ own sense of deprivation, dreams which they could not achieve. Although Hazrat Ali has clearly stated that “Do not raise your children the way you were raised, as they are born into a different world with new challenges and perspectives”. Unfortunately, we are preparing our children for the professions which are not very lucrative in future. The top careers in future are:
– Data Analytics – Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Cybersecurity – Software Development – Robotics & Automation – Specialized Healthcare Roles | – Renewable Energy Experts – Digital Marketing & Content Creation – User Experience Designers – Supply Chain Management – Sales & Marketing Experts – Customer Services Specialists |
We are still focusing on the professions related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) and have not been able to transform to SMAC (Social, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud) careers.
But for more focused approach let’s concentrate on health sciences careers with following options:
Health Sciences Careers | Allied Health Sciences Careers |
– MBBS – BDS – Nursing – DPT | – Medical Laboratory Sciences – Medical Imaging Technology – Operation Theatre Technology – Human Nutrition and Dietetics – Biomedical Sciences – Optometry – Emergency and Intensive Care Sciences – Speech and Language Pathology – Occupational Therapy – Public Health |
Unfortunately, the allied or alternative Health Sciences options have just recently been offered by leading universities in 4 years bachelor or ADP programs of 2 years. Now challenge for students is how they can relate these allied health science programs with related careers and earning opportunities. In my view if educational institutions have to make these programs successful, they need to create awareness and understanding among prospective students regarding the career prospects of each program.
We also need to analyze why the students have not been able to plan their careers. In my view following can be the challenges.
In developed countries, primary schools arrange different activities to expose students to various career options. Fathers of children belonging to different professions are invited to share their experience. Job shadowing sessions, guest speaker sessions as well as industry visits help children to understand different career options. In Pakistan, even the most prestigious and expensive schools do not have such career planning activities that’s why children stay confused about their career.
Parents in Pakistan are not very educated as evident from literacy rate of the country. Therefore, they are not a great help for their children to decide about careers. In fact, children should start dreaming about their career at an early age so that they can gather more information and support for achieving their dreams. Rather parents influence and persuade their children to pursue careers of their choice not the children’s dreams. Parents career choices are primarily based on “Occupational Status” mindset for showing off in the society. One of the biggest hurdles for children to pursue their career of passion are parents.
Our children start thinking about their career based on the result of Matric and / or intermediate. Because not only parents but school management always encourage to get science subjects in Matric and Intermediate. Only after not getting enough marks in Intermediate that children starts thinking about other career options. Most of times they are making hasty decisions not based on any logic or rationality. From here starts the journey to our career which mostly not very satisfying as we are not pursuing our dream or vision.
As soon as graduation completed, we grasp the first job offered to us which sometime even not related to our education. Girls mostly accept teaching jobs in schools even if they have done BBA or MBA. I have seen a nutritionist accept the job in digital marketing and a doctor joining in e-commerce platform. We can give the reason for fewer relevant jobs available, but question is how much effort we have made to explore such opportunities.
Even when we start the wrong journey, we don’t make enough effort during 4 years of graduation. Such as at least 4 opportunities for 4 summer semesters to have internships in related organizations. Not utilizing social media tools to broaden networking which can connect us to related industry. Currently, around 40% of hiring is on LinkedIn and most of students don’t have professional profiles and are not very active as well.
One can conclude that students should be prepared for career planning at early education level. So that they at least start thinking and exploring the career options as per their liking and aptitude. During 6th to 8th class, students should be exposed to different industries through visits and / or through sessions of industry professionals. This will increase their knowledge about career options so that they can select relevant subjects from 9th class to onward. Parents should also realize that their intervention in career selection can only make the children more confused and distracted. Today, children have more information and knowledge so they can make better decisions about their careers.
Trainer & Career Coach
